Chapter 5 Physical Foundation
Penelope's voice echoed in the empty room, sharp and clear.
Yet, Ajax was absorbed in his work and gave no sign that he had heard her. There was no reaction at all.
Her heart sank, but there was no turning back now. She stepped closer and continued, her voice trembling. "You don't understand my family situation. I'm the youngest, with an older sister. My family doesn't approve of this."
Still, Ajax didn't respond.
Penelope's nerves frayed as she twisted the hem of her shirt, her large eyes locked onto him.
She watched, hoping for any sign of change in his expression, terrified of missing even the slightest shift.
Minutes passed.
Her legs ached from standing, but Ajax didn't so much as glance up from the documents in front of him.
Only when he signed something did he finally speak, his voice as indifferent as ever. "Penelope Vilehart—the illegitimate daughter of Angelo Vilehart. Taken back to the Vilehart family at the age of three, with no position in the family.
"Now a student at Epicenter University, dreams of becoming an interior designer. Three months until graduation. Her target company is Flare Enterprises. Should I go on?"
Penelope's breath hitched. He had already done his research.
As for his stance on her situation, Ajax picked up his phone and dialed a number.
Without lifting his eyes from the screen, he spoke a single sentence into the receiver: "Invest $10,000,000 into the Vilehart family."
Penelope's mind reeled. "I-I can't believe it. $10,000,000?!"
Ajax let out a mocking laugh. "Consider it your dowry. The Vileharts love money, and you came all the way here for me to make a gesture, didn't you?"
"N-No, you misunderstand!" Penelope panicked.
Her mind raced with thoughts of Berta's warnings.
Biting her lip, she pushed forward. "My family... they don't approve."
"You can call them now and ask if they still disagree," he shot back.
Penelope hesitated, stunned by the firm tone in his voice. She had been naive, assuming the situation could be handled with simple approval from her parents.
The Grimwalds' power was beyond what she had imagined—they wouldn't care whether her parents agreed or not.
"Mr. Grimwald, this is a mismatch between families—"
"If you know you're not a match, then shut up and stay quiet." His words were cold as ice, cutting off any further protest before she could voice it.
This man was overbearing, unreasonable, and impossible to understand.
The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. Her nose began to burn as a wave of emotion hit her.
"Marriage isn't like this. There should be a foundation of love," she said.
Ajax's patience was wearing thin. He lifted his gaze from the documents, his expression as cold as ever. "I only need a wife. If you're capable, go ahead and contact that heiress. If she agrees to marry me, your role as a substitute bride is over."
Penelope was caught off guard by his words. She looked at him, her mind spinning with disbelief.
After a moment, Ajax seemed to notice her appearance.
She was no longer wearing the heavy black coat from earlier but casual clothes instead. Her hair had loosened slightly, and there was a softness to her that caught his attention.
Her head was lowered in what seemed like an almost childlike gesture of guilt, her hands nervously twisting.
For a brief moment, Ajax found himself oddly entertained, as though he were a wolf with a helpless little rabbit in his grasp. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
If he could find Valeria, why was she still standing here instead?
Penelope, her head bowed, sniffled as her heart sank. She realized her efforts had been in vain.
Turning to leave, she was suddenly yanked into his embrace as Ajax stood abruptly and grabbed her arm.
Confused, she found herself lifted off the ground, her body pressed into his embrace.
It was the first time a man had held her like this, in a bold, almost intimate princess carry.
Panic surged through her as she struggled, but Ajax's hold was unyielding. Her small head rested against his solid chest, and his strong arm kept her firmly in place.
The faint scent of his cologne filled her senses, and her breath quickened.
"W-What are you doing?" she stammered.
The bedroom was only a thin wall away from the study, and Ajax, still holding her, turned and entered the master bedroom.
He tossed her onto the bed and shot her a casual glance, his voice as cold as ever. "You don't have the foundation of love, but I can give you the foundation of a physical relationship."
Penelope's face flushed instantly, her ears burning with embarrassment.
"No, no… this is wrong!"
After everything that had happened, now this?!
Penelope was terrified. They had no emotional connection—how could they take things further like this?
"You don't get a say in the matter," Ajax replied, his voice devoid of warmth.