Damn it!

The old master clutched his chest, threatening him. If he didn’t go, he’d have a heart attack on the spot.

Lucas Young and Sophia Sinclair had been waiting since morning. They hadn’t yet told Olivia Young about any of this—she was pretty resistant to the idea of finding a new partner. So, they'd decided to act first and explain later, hoping the two young people could meet and see what happened.

In the gentle autumn sunlight, Frederick Fairfax stood before them, holding a gift box in one hand, tall and elegant in a sharply tailored suit. His handsome features and refined manner radiated charm and quiet sophistication—glamorous from the bone.

Never mind the Fairfax family’s century-old pedigree—just looking at Frederick Fairfax’s face and build, his aura alone would make any mother-in-law willing to take him in as a live-in son-in-law. The more a mother-in-law looks at such a son-in-law, the more pleased she feels.

If this marriage were to happen, she’d wake up laughing in her dreams.

A servant led Frederick Fairfax toward the garden to find Olivia Young, while Sir Fairfax and the couple went to the main hall.

Once inside the garden, the servant quietly left.

Autumn sunshine was a rare sight in Kingston—it warmed the skin and eased the soul.

Olivia Young lounged lazily on a bench, fruit and snacks within easy reach, utterly at ease and content.

That wasn’t the main point, though. What really stood out was her hand gently stroking her noticeably pregnant belly.

Frederick Fairfax nearly lost it on the spot!

"You want me to marry a pregnant woman? Are you all nuts? I’d rather die than become someone else’s child’s father!" he exploded.

Olivia Young turned her head languidly, seeing a face so handsome it was a crime, his teeth clenched with outrage.

Frederick Fairfax!

OMG!

What was he doing here?

And did he just say he was supposed to marry a pregnant woman? Who? Could it be her? How could she not know about it herself?

Olivia Young slowly sat up straight and tried to soothe him. "Let’s all calm down. There must be some kind of misunderstanding here."

Help! Could someone please explain what’s happening right now?

Why was Frederick Fairfax at her house, spouting this bizarre nonsense? What scheme were her parents up to behind her back?

"How am I supposed to calm down? Seriously, how? They want us to get married, make me the patsy! Why me? Why should I play stepdad? Sure, you're pretty, but I could never marry you! Let that...that childhood friend of yours, what was his name—Grace Gordon—let him marry you!"

Frederick Fairfax had never spoken so many words in one go before; he was so furious he might pass out.

How was it still so hot in autumn?

He slumped beside Olivia Young on the bench, as if all his energy had drained away.

Frederick Fairfax shut his eyes in despair, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

Stop heaving like that, bro. That tempting, low voice couldn't help but remind her of that night all those months ago...

Judging by Frederick Fairfax's reaction, it seemed he had no clue that she was the woman from that passionate evening, nor did he know the baby she was carrying was his.

Seriously, Mom and Dad, you’re incredible—managing to line up a matchmaking with her child’s real father! With business instincts this sharp, they could thrive at anything.

Olivia Young nibbled on some pomegranate. "Just because they have an idea doesn’t mean we have to agree. Young people make their own fate. My advice, Young Master Feng, is to put up a fierce resistance."

"My grandfather isn’t well. I can’t be unfilial."

"Then move out and run away from home."

"Why don’t you run away instead?"

"You expect a pregnant woman to get kicked out, fend for herself and eat bitterness? Can you really stomach that?"

Their indignant gazes met in midair, sparking as if tiny embers were flying.

What kind of man bullies a woman? Frederick Fairfax, are you even a man?

That night, he couldn’t find the right place, yet still had the cheek to come looking for her—and he cried from the pain! Was he faking it?

Ever since she’d found out her baby’s daddy was an actor, she’d gone ahead and watched all three of Frederick Fairfax’s movies and his one drama. Not bad—his acting was impressive.

And really, there’s no test of a man’s experience anyway—you can’t just tell by looking.

"I told you these two were a perfect match—just look at that soulful eye contact! I'm getting so many feels!" Sophia Sinclair burst in, gleefully snapping photos with her phone.

Both of their gazes instantly shot her way.

The three elders had now all arrived in the garden, every face beaming.

Why the wide smiles? This marriage is not happening!

"Grandfather, you still have the nerve to smile!" Frederick Fairfax got to his feet and marched over. "I told you that fortune teller was a fraud, but you wouldn’t believe me. Miss Young is already pregnant! If you insist we marry, how am I supposed to explain to relatives that my wife gave birth less than half a year into the marriage?"

Frederick Fairfax had never faced anything as absurd as this—no way would he let himself be made the fool.

No one was going to make him play daddy to someone else’s child. Not a chance. Over his dead body. He’d rather choke and die on his own spit!

"It doesn’t matter if the first child’s not yours—the second one will be! A man should have a broad heart. From now on, you'll be husband and wife—Xiyue’s child is your child. Treat them as your own flesh and blood." Sir Fairfax patted his grandson’s arm. "We’ve already made the arrangements for your marriage."

"Grandfather!"

"Mom! Dad!"

Frederick Fairfax and Olivia Young both shouted at once, shooting each other a quick, understanding glance—a tacit alliance suddenly forming.

Frederick Fairfax tugged Sir Fairfax out of the garden with him.

"You went and made all these big decisions without even talking to me?" Olivia Young rubbed her belly, "The other party is the Fairfax family’s heir! Did you put some kind of hex on Sir Fairfax? How could he ever agree to his grandson marrying a pregnant woman?"

This world had really gone bonkers. Completely bonkers. Oh right, this was a classic melodramatic CEO romance. Maybe being bonkers was just normal.

"Sweetheart, Sir Fairfax said his grandson came down with some strange illness—keeps vomiting without reason. A great master read your birth charts and found you two are perfectly matched, a pair created by the heavens. So they want you to marry him for good luck—that’s their idea." Lucas Young explained to his precious daughter.

"So you just sold me off?" Olivia Young lowered her gaze. "Baby, looks like it’s just you and me against the world..."

"Honey, honey, you're not losing out! Sir Fairfax is offering a huge dowry, and he said it’ll be yours, all your own premarital assets. Plus, Frederick Fairfax is handsome, rich, has a great background, and he’s always off filming so he’s rarely home. Sir Fairfax is too old to move in, his parents live abroad all year—honey, the Feng household will be all yours! As the young madam, whatever you say goes!" Sophia Sinclair finished, and Lucas Young quickly tugged her sleeve. "Dear, do you really think having a husband who’s never home is such a great thing?"

Mother and daughter nodded in perfect agreement. Of course! A rich, good-looking husband who’s never home? That was the dream.

Olivia Young was thinking of something else, though—if she married Frederick Fairfax, she’d be even further off the original story’s plotline. She might even escape it altogether.

As for Frederick Fairfax’s mysterious vomiting...was he getting sympathy pregnancy symptoms for her?

The family of three returned to the main hall. Olivia Young immediately spotted the gloomy young man slumped on the sofa. Half an hour ago, he’d been raging like a ball of furious fire—but now he seemed utterly defeated, nothing but dark disillusionment in his eyes as he glared at Olivia Young, as if she’d ruined his life.

Yet Olivia Young just smiled sweetly. "I agree to the marriage."

Frederick Fairfax deflated.

Her attitude had clearly been outright refusal before. How did she switch so fast?

Frederick Fairfax couldn’t stay calm at all. “Miss Young, forgive my bluntness, but did you fall for me at first sight?”