Chapter 1 Marriage Registration
"Don''t be so stiff. Lean in closer!" the photographer ordered as he held his camera in his hand.
Mary Lu leaned against the man uneasily.
"Smile." The photographer frowned. He waved his arms around exasperatedly, not satisfied with all
the photos that he had taken. "Wedding photos are supposed to be happy and sweet. Rx!"
Well, this wedding was anything but... She didn''t even know what the man next to her looked like
now. He probably had an indifferent face.
Mary Lu forced a smile into her face as she stared directly at the camera. Soon, the photos were
finally taken. The three of them sighed in relief.
When she walked out, Mary Lu could hear the photographerining to himself, "I''ve never
seen such a strange couple. They may look like a match, but they act as if they''d just met!"
Mary Lu sighed and shook her head. She really wanted to act natural, but was there really anything
natural about the situation that she had just gotten herself into? Was this marriage anything to be
proud of? The only reason she was getting married in the first ce was all because of a contract!
It turned out a marriage certificate was also very cheap. In fact, it only cost them nine dors.
Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
It was drizzling when they got out. Unfortunately, the two of them didn''t bring umbres.
"Where are you going?" William Lan asked. He was now Mary Lu''s husband, especially since they
already got their marriage certificate all sorted out.
"Let''s go home first." Mary Lu stared at the grey sky. Droplets of rain slid down her cheeks. "I can go
back myself."
"What about your mother? Should we go and see her?"
She slowly shook her head. "She''s still in aa. You can go ahead with your work," she said
almost bitterly, but he didn''t really mind.
"Okay. I''ll go back to thepany first." Without another word, William Lan strode towards the
luxury car across the road. Although Mary Lu didn''t know how much it cost, she could tell it was
extremely expensive from other people''s envious gaze.
Without looking back, he slipped inside the car.
Mary Lu was still in a daze as she watched his retreating figure. She remembered the first day she
met him.
That day, Mary Lu was called into the CEO''s office. She was just an assistant manager of the Public
Rtions Department. Why did the CEO suddenly want to see her? Had she done something
wrong?
Filled with anxiety, she entered his office. It was the first time she came to meet her boss, William
Lan. At a closer look, he looked like a man without ws.
He was incredibly tall with a well-defined jaw line. He pursed his thin lips. There was something
about his eyes that drew her in. After looking into them for a long time, she felt as if she was falling
into an abyss. He was wearing a ck suit which highlighted his built figure, but she thought that he
would look more suitable in blue.
"Are you Mary Lu? The assistant manager of the Public Rtions Department?" William Lan said
calmly, holding a document in his hand. He stood up and walked to her side. "It''s stated that two
years ago, your mother had been diagnosed with cancer. Your father has even abandoned both of
you. Are you experiencing a hard time?"
What did he just say? Mary''s jaw dropped as she stared at the man standing before her.
''How could a CEO be so concerned over a lowly employee? Did he perform an investigation about
me?'' "Thank you for your concern, Sir. I''ll be fine," Mary said calmly, trying not to be affected by his
words.
"Are you sure?" William leaned against the corner of his table. "What about the treatment fees that
you owe to the hospital? Even with your part-time jobs, I don''t think that''s enough for you to pay
them back. At least not until a few more years."
Mary blinked, stumbling backwards. "How did you know all of this?" she demanded. "Are you
investigating me? What the hell are you up to?"
William wasn''t affected by her demanding questions as he fixated his sharp eyes onto her. "Yes.
There was an investigation," he openly admitted. "I want to make a deal with you."
"A deal? What deal?"
"Marry me, and I''ll pay all your mother''s medical expenses." William didn''t even pause.
"Well, I''m not interested." Mary was about to turn around and walk away.
"Are you sure?" She froze.
There was something in his question
that made her hesitate. Her marriage had always been something that her mother was worrying
about.
Mary winced at the thought of her mother on the hospital bed. The doctor had told her that her
mother could onlyst a few more months. If she faked her own marriage, then she might be able to
fulfill her mother''s dying wish.
Mary''s nails dug into her palm. "What should I do?"
"I have a contract right here. You can have a look." When she turned, he handed her a few papers.
"Everything''s clearly written. In fact, you don''t even have to do anything. You''re my wife by name
only. Everything you do should be coordinated with me, obviously, in case if we share any sparring
viewpoints."
Mary looked over at the contract uncertainly.
Seeing as she still had doubts, William waved his hand. "You can think it over and give me your
answer tomorrow. If you don''t have anything else you want to say, then you can go."
"Wait. Why do you want to do this? What benefits will you get from this?" she demanded.
He shrugged. "You don''t have to know that. All you need to do is consider what''s best for you."
That ass! ''He thinks he can rule the world!'' she thought.
Without another word, she turned on her heel and left. When Mary returned to her desk, she
opened the contract. It was indeed short and concise. The marriage would only be for one year.
Although they were required to live together, sexual intercourse was prohibited. The man would be
responsible for all living expenses and her mother''s treatment. He would also
Gazing at the contract, Mary waspletely dumbfounded. With so much money, all the problems
in her life would simply disappear. Not only would her mother receive better treatment, but she also
didn''t have to work until midnight. It wouldn''t even harm her, but was it really just that simple? As
she was hesitating, her phone rang. It was from the hospital. She gritted her teeth and answered,
"Hello?"
"Is this Mary? Your mother is in bad condition. She has been sent to the emergency room. Come
prepared."
"What?" she shrieked. "I''ll be right there. Doctor Cao, please do whatever you can to save my
mother."
"We''ll do our best."
Mary rushed to the hospital that day. Fortunately, when she arrived, the doctors had informed her
that her mother was already stable. Her shoulders sagged in relief. She gazed at her mother''s limp
body through the ss window as a surge of warmth soared through her system. "Miss Lu," the
doctor beside her uttered, and she turned around.
"Dr. Cao, I can''t thank you enough."
"There''s no need. This is what we do." He smiled. "But there is a problem with your mother''s
medical fees. I don''t want to urge you about this given your mother''s state, but..."
"Dr. Cao, I understand. I''ll pay the fees in three days," Mary said firmly, already making the
decision in her heart.
After walking out of the hospital, Mary took out her phone and dialed William''s number. "I promise to
sign the papers. I just need the money first..." There was a pause before Mary nodded. "Thank
you."
Mary had just sold herself to the devil.
She stopped, shaking her head at the memory. As soon as she looked up, she could see that
William was still looking at her in his car.
Although he was already thirty, he was still pretty fit. In fact, he had assets worth around a hundred
million dors and he was also extremely handsome. Why would such a golden bachelor ask her to
fake a marriage with him?
Seeing as he had already left, Mary pursed her lips and shook her head. There was no use to think
about such details. She should just mind her own business. The hospital was thest ce she
wanted to go to, but she arrived there again in hopes that her mother''s condition had gotten better.
She was hoping that her mother would wake up and see that her daughter hadpleted her dying
wish.
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