Chapter 2

Cecilia looked up, her expression desperate as she asked about the money.

Edward's gaze darkened. "Mrs. Clifford," he said, his voice silky yet firm, "don't be so impatient. Our relationship is just beginning. All things need time."

His presence radiated dominance, making Cecilia instinctively step back.

When she returned to work, the CEO's assistant delivered an envelope with cool professionalism. "This is from Mr. Clifford for you."

Cecilia opened it to find "Marriage Agreement" emblazoned across the top, the words burning her eyes. As she flipped through the pages, the blood drained from her face.

The document was filled with intimate stipulations: [Party B must unconditionally comply with Party A's intimacy requirements without displaying resistance or disgust.]

[In the presence of elders and outsiders, Party B must consistently demonstrate admiration and dependence toward Party A, including but not limited to initiating physical contact.]

Edward truly deserved his reputation as a business genius—this agreement was far more stringent than she'd imagined.

Cecilia gripped the edges of the paper. This Edward was nothing but a control freak with psychopathic tendencies!

She swallowed her humiliation and signed, assuming she'd finally receive her payment.

But Edward's call came immediately after: "The five hundred thousand is an annual salary, paid monthly. I'll evaluate your 'performance' for bonuses. Your first payment will arrive after you move into my home and fulfill your 'wifely duties.'"

The call left her dizzy with anger. Her phone lit up again—the hospital.

"Ms. Mellon? Your brother Lucas's condition has suddenly deteriorated. We need $200,000 within twenty-four hours for surgery, or we'll have to discontinue treatment."

Cecilia's world spun. She frantically called her mother.

"You have the nerve to call me?" her mother barked. "Didn't you see my texts? This is all your fault! You offended Mr. Johnson, and now he's making life difficult for us! Not to mention your brother's medical bills!"

Her mother, Paula Bell, pushed all responsibility onto Cecilia. Before Cecilia could defend herself, Paula stormed into the company lobby. Not wanting to create a scene, Cecilia took time off to follow her outside.

"Come with me to apologize to Mr. Johnson!"

"No way!" Cecilia finally exploded. "He drugged me! He has an STD! Are you trying to kill me for money?"

She thought this would awaken whatever maternal instinct her mother had left. Instead, Paula's eyes lit up. She released Cecilia's arm and, right in front of her, called the sleazy businessman.

Minutes later, Paula triumphantly boasted about her "victory": "I used that information to squeeze a fortune out of Mr. Johnson! He thought he could take advantage of me? Dream on!"

She didn't mention paying for Lucas's surgery, forcing Cecilia to beg. "Where's the money? Lucas needs it to survive!"

Paula's smile vanished as she coldly pushed Cecilia away. "Your brother is a bottomless pit. I can't waste money on him! Figure it out yourself!"

Completely devastated, Cecilia's trembling fingers typed a message to Edward: [Mr. Clifford, my brother needs emergency surgery. Could you advance my salary? I'll... do anything.]

Typing those last words felt like selling both her body and soul. Less than a minute after sending the message, her phone pinged with a notification: $500,000 transferred.

Edward's text followed with just an address and two words: [Come over.]

His command was cold, like summoning an on-demand product. Shame washed over Cecilia in waves.

Fighting back tears, Cecilia rushed to the hospital. After paying for the surgery and watching Lucas wheeled into the operating room, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. But thinking about the price of that $500,000 plunged her heart into an abyss.

Paula called again: "Mr. Johnson says he'll give you a million-dollar bride price if you marry him! Hurry up and do it—don't be ungrateful!"

Hearing this heartless transaction from someone who should have protected her, the sadness in Cecilia's eyes gave way to icy resolve.

In that moment, the patient, obedient Cecilia who still clung to illusions of family love died. She hung up without a word, blocked her mother's number, and headed to Edward's address.

The mansion door was slightly ajar. As she entered, she heard a man's suppressed groan of pain and a concerned female voice: "Eddie, is your migraine acting up again? Don't worry, let me help."

Edward lay on the sofa, his forehead beaded with cold sweat. A woman dressed head-to-toe in designer clothes knelt before him, her elegant hands massaging his temples, her eyes full of tenderness.

The woman noticed Cecilia but didn't move away. Instead, she pressed closer to Edward, her body practically molded against his, her lips brushing his hair. "Lean on me," she murmured. "It'll feel better."

Every word screamed that she was the lady of the house.

Cecilia froze in place. Through his excruciating pain, Edward caught that distinctive scent that instantly soothed him. The churning agitation and pain subsided slightly.

He forced his eyes open, instinctively wanting to push away the woman beside him, but the pain only allowed him to growl in frustration.

"What are you doing here?" he managed.

Though directed at the woman beside him, to Cecilia's ears, the words were deafening. She stood in the entryway, her faded jeans completely out of place in the luxurious mansion, her self-respect utterly shattered.

He had texted her to come over...

Cecilia had rushed here, physically and emotionally exhausted, to fulfill her "wifely duties," only to find this intimate scene on the sofa. She thought about the humiliating contract and the $500,000 that had just hit her account.

So she was just one of Edward's many women—probably the most pathetic and cheapest one.

Perhaps he didn't even remember texting her, or maybe he'd intended to summon the woman beside him.

Or worse, maybe he'd called Cecilia here specifically to witness this scene—to see him intimate with another woman right in front of his new bride.

Cecilia couldn't understand why he'd marry her if he had a girlfriend. Was it some rich person's hobby? His twisted sense of humor?

Just as Cecilia turned to flee, Edward spoke again. This time, his tone was unmistakably irritated, his suppressed anger and frustration fully released—but not directed at her. "Get out."

The woman stiffened, her expression of concern morphing into shock. She quickly composed herself and stood up, maintaining her elegant, superior demeanor as she flashed Cecilia a perfect smile. "Hello, I'm Rachel Hughes, Eddie's first love."

She smoothed her expensive dress as if she hadn't just been intimately rejected.

Before leaving, Rachel gave Cecilia a meaningful look and softly told Edward, "Eddie, since you have company, I'll leave. Remember to take your medication."

She picked up her Hermès bag and walked past Cecilia in her high heels, whispering, "Take good care of him for me."

Her graceful confidence only intensified Cecilia's feelings of bitterness and humiliation.

Cecilia didn't move until Rachel's proud silhouette disappeared through the door, then slowly approached Edward.

She decided that if she was being treated like a commodity, she might as well act like one.

Talking about feelings would only hurt her pride—better to talk about money. If she was selling her body, she needed to be clear about the price and payment terms.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled the signed agreement from her bag and placed it in front of Edward.

"Mr. Clifford, I've signed the agreement, but I have one condition. Five hundred thousand a year is too low—make it fifty thousand per month, deposited into my account on the first of each month. Today's five hundred thousand is an advance, with regular payments starting next month."

That soothing scent that offered him momentary relief from his hellish headache grew stronger, flowing steadily from her.

Edward's headache eased slightly. He leaned back comfortably, studying her through narrowed eyes.

At the moment he needed her most, this seemingly docile Cecilia dared to negotiate with him. Trying to play him?

Edward's gaze fell on Cecilia's soft pink lips. The corner of his mouth tugged upward in a playful smile as he extended his hand toward her. "Fine. Come here. Let me see if your 'performance' is worth the price."

Cecilia froze under his unexpectedly eager gaze, then realized what he meant. Her face instantly flushed crimson.