Narcissist.

Is there a single normal man in this novel?

"We, as the younger generation, should make our elders happy. Since they've already decided, I have no objections." Olivia Young walked over to Sir Fairfax. "Grandfather has given us so much—if I refuse the marriage alliance, I’d just look immature. Grandfather, I can go get the marriage certificate with the young master as soon as tomorrow."

"Good, good, very good!" Sir Fairfax couldn’t stop grinning, his wrinkles deepening with joy.

Frederick Fairfax: "..."

Does anyone care what I think?

He always thought his grandpa was a relic from a bygone era—turns out, compared to him, he himself is the antique.

Frederick Fairfax wanted to refuse again, but the old man shot him a look—all the way down to his legs.

Just a few minutes ago, Grandfather had said if he didn’t agree, he’d break his legs.

His real grandpa!

Other people might just threaten, but Grandfather actually means it.

After exchanging phone numbers with Olivia Young, Frederick Fairfax turned and left.

No one cared what he wanted anyway.

Returning home, Frederick Fairfax sprawled out on his penthouse sofa to relax.

His phone buzzed.

He set his phone so that only important contacts could disturb him—anyone messaging him was someone he had to pay attention to.

He grabbed the phone. It was Olivia Young.

He quickly muted her notifications, then opened her message.

[Olivia Young: Hey there, partner. Let’s work together—just treat this as a agreement marriage. We’ll get divorced in three years, or two if you prefer.]

A agreement?

So Olivia Young didn’t want to marry him either.

[Frederick Fairfax: What’s in it for you?]

[Olivia Young: Give the child a complete home (not really). My childhood sweetheart just hired a stand-in at his company—I don’t want to get dragged into some ridiculous love triangle drama.]

Frederick Fairfax sat up, eyes narrowing. Tch...

[Frederick Fairfax: Whose child is it, anyway?]

[Olivia Young: The dog’s.]

[Frederick Fairfax: ???]

[Olivia Young: The father doesn’t matter—your wife is me. I’m marrying you to ward off bad luck, your strange illness gets cured, I can avoid the melodrama, and I get Grandfather Feng’s wedding gifts. Win-win-win.]

[Frederick Fairfax: You want my family’s dowry, too, in a agreement marriage? The Young family about to go bankrupt?]

[Olivia Young: Pffft! Don’t say such unlucky things! Nine a.m. tomorrow, Registry Office entrance. Don’t be late! See you there.]

[Olivia Young:

]

She really thought he’d just agree to a agreement marriage that easily?

Besides bumping into each other in high school and college a couple of times, this was basically a flash wedding, wasn’t it?

Parental arrangement, fortune-teller’s order—it was terrifying!

He’s not going!

He refuses! He’ll fight to the end.

He didn’t believe Grandfather would actually break his legs.

The next second, Frederick Fairfax hurled his phone away and dashed to the bathroom to vomit.

Damn it!

Scared witless.

Fine, fine! He’ll marry if it comes to that.

What century is this—people still believe in warding off bad luck with a wedding partner?

Could Olivia Young really cure his strange illness?

Sigh—might as well grab at a straw!

——

Olivia Young enjoyed a cozy afternoon nap.

After waking, she signed her name on the stack of gift deeds that Grandfather Feng had sent over.

She nibbled fruit, turned on music, and savored a lazy afternoon—until an unexpected guest showed up.

No one ever dropped in, and today, they all showed up together.

Her parents had just left for the office.

Her brother was still out of town.

Which made Olivia Young the default hostess.

Uncle Lee poured some tea, standing behind her and glaring at Grace Gordon sitting opposite.

Ever since Olivia Young had said there was no possibility with Grace Gordon, everyone at home treated him differently.

They all assumed her unhappiness was because of the stand-in Grace Gordon had hired at his company.

The young miss could do no wrong.

It was all Grace Gordon’s fault.

Olivia Young waved her hand, and Uncle Lee reluctantly withdrew. "Miss, call me if you need anything—I’m right outside."

"Don’t worry, Uncle Lee. There won’t be any trouble."

What could Grace Gordon possibly do to her? Not like he’d kill her right now.

Grace Gordon’s gaze fixed straight onto her pregnant belly.

Bro—you’re being more than a little rude here!

Olivia Young pulled a thin blanket over her belly. "So, what brings you here?"

"Lily, why did you lie to me?"

"Lie about what?"

Honestly, Grace Gordon finally grew a brain!

"I heard your parents have been searching for a marriage alliance lately. So you never had a boyfriend. Then why didn’t you just tell me the truth that day? Why did you have to lie? You know I like you—I’ve waited for you for five years, and now—and now you come back pregnant. If you’re happy, I’ll let you go and wish you well, but you’ve lied to me!" Grace Gordon clutched his chest, unable to control himself, voice rising sharply.

His expression was extremely conflicted.

There was frustration, anger, regret—and a hint of lingering affection.

Things used to be so good between them.

Time really does change so much.

Who could have guessed that childhood sweethearts would drift so far apart?

Back then, Grace Gordon never believed a childhood sweetheart could lose out to some stranger fate had dropped from the sky.

Yet Olivia Young came back pregnant, and he only found out with everyone else.

She even told him to his face that there could never be anything between them.

Did she really dislike him that much?

"Lily, Lily—"

"Lily, please, tell me what happened. Was someone bullying you while you were abroad?"

Grace Gordon stepped toward her, then suddenly knelt down in front of her, eyes shadowed and unreadable. "Lily, did the father of this child abandon you?"

Male lead, what are you even doing?!

In the original novel, it was precisely because of this attitude that the vicious supporting female misunderstood, always thinking you still cherished your ‘White Moonlight’ (first love).

A stand-in is always just that.

Only a haughty heiress would stoop to jealousy over some little secretary for the sake of love.

Pah! Jerk.

Cheating, keeping your options open, unable to choose between two women yet enjoying their affections—wanting the best of everything for yourself.

Olivia Young absentmindedly examined her manicured nails. "The rumors got it wrong. The child’s father and I are getting our marriage certificate tomorrow. He’s the real deal—the real dad. Problem is, he doesn’t actually know yet."

Grace Gordon didn’t believe her. "Lily, stop lying. You’ve always liked pretending to be strong. This isn’t your fault, it’s his. If he truly cared, he wouldn’t have left you two behind."

"Grace Gordon, look at me." Olivia Young gestured to her face. "Am I beautiful?"

"Beautiful."

"That’s an objective fact. Everyone thinks so. I’m such a gorgeous woman—who would ever abandon me? If there really was someone that blind, he’s clearly lost his mind." Olivia Young smirked.

For example—Grace Gordon, you utter fool.

"Someone like that is not worth a second thought. I certainly won’t waste any more time on him." Olivia Young crossed her legs. "Honestly, we haven’t seen each other in five years—we probably just aren’t fated."

"No, that’s not it! I’ve always wanted to go look for you overseas, it’s just that every time I try—"

"—something always gets in the way." Olivia Young cut in, finishing the sentence for him. "I know. Me too. Did you ever think maybe that’s fate telling us we’re not meant to be? I stayed abroad and met the love of my life."

The light in Grace Gordon’s eyes went out instantly.

‘The love of my life’—those four words hit him like a bucket of cold water.

He was suddenly desperate to know who exactly that person was.

"You’re getting the marriage certificate tomorrow. Can I come and see?" Grace Gordon’s voice was hoarse as he stood up, dejection written all over his face. "I just want to see you happy."