Chapter 2

"The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, you did a great job setting everything up. Your bonus is doubled this month."

"Mr. Smith, what are you talking about? The woman I arranged for you didn't even meet you. I just sent her back."

James frowned slightly. "The woman in the wedding dress just now, she wasn't arranged by you?"

"A woman in a wedding dress? Mr. Smith, what are you talking about?"

James hung up the phone. If that woman wasn't arranged by Michael, was it just a coincidence?

"What? An arranged marriage?"

Emily had just dragged her exhausted body home, only to be hit with the news that she was expected to marry.

"Dad, are we so desperate that the Johnson family is relying on me to save us from bankruptcy through marriage?"

Sophia Johnson looked pained. "What are you saying? Your father has been trying to refuse the Smith family's proposal, but..."

Sophia sighed helplessly. Who could refuse the Smith family?

Who?

The Smith family!

The Smith family, the most powerful conglomerate in Novaria!

They controlled the nation's economy and wielded immense power.

Emily collapsed onto the couch, staring blankly at Sophia. "Mom, are you sure it's that Smith family?"

Sophia glanced at Emily with concern. "The Smith family said they want to discuss the marriage details tomorrow. Don't worry, if you don't want to marry, I won't agree to it!"

"That's right. You're our precious daughter. We can't force you to marry someone you don't love. The Smith family may be powerful, but this is a lawful society. I don't believe they can do anything to the Johnson family!"

Seeing Hayden and Sophia so determined to protect her, Emily felt a pang of guilt.

She didn't want an arranged marriage, but the Johnson family business was her parents' lifelong effort. They couldn't afford to offend the Smith family.

The Smith family may appear to be legitimate businessmen, but they have plenty of shady dealings. If they wanted to crush the Johnson family, it would be as easy as squashing an ant.

Emily returned to her room, feeling panicked about the arranged marriage with the Smith family.

With their power, countless people would be eager to marry into the Smith family. Why did they choose her?

How could she avoid offending the Smith family and still cancel the marriage?

Celestial Garden Manor.

James glanced indifferently at Aiden Smith, who was sitting on the couch, then walked toward the elevator.

Aiden watched his back and said calmly, "You're going to the Johnson Villa tomorrow to propose."

James paused and turned to look at Aiden. "Propose?"

Aiden toyed with a piece of antique jewelry. "I've already prepared the wedding gift. You just need to go through the motions. The wedding will be on the sixth of next month."

James returned to the couch, a mocking smile on his lips. "What, are you planning to remarry? At your age, can you handle it?"

"James!" Aiden's face darkened, anger simmering in his eyes. "This is your marriage!"

James's expression turned cold. "I told you, I won't get married!"

"You don't have a choice. If you don't marry, you'll never see her again!"

James's face turned ashen, his fists clenched, then slowly relaxed. "I understand."

The next morning, James arrived at the Johnson Villa as scheduled.

Emily had spent the night contemplating running away, but ultimately stayed.

She knew that with the Smith family's power, they could find her no matter where she went.

Since she couldn't run or refuse the marriage, she had to make the Smith family call it off themselves.

Emily hurried downstairs with a hastily prepared report.

But when she saw the man sitting in the living room, she froze, her mind going blank.

At the same time, James's gaze fell on her. Recognizing her face, his cold eyes narrowed, emitting a chilling aura.

Emily's mind went blank. Why was he here? To pay for the wedding dress or to take her card?

Hayden pulled Emily over to James, smiling. "Mr. Smith, this is my daughter, Emily."

James narrowed his eyes, looking at the familiar face, his expression icy.

He was James!

Emily finally realized that the man who had assaulted her was James!

"You're Emily?"

James's gaze swept over her. It seemed that night had been her careful plan to marry into the Smith family!

The Johnson family had calculated well!

Sensing James's anger, Emily felt a bit panicked. Remembering her attitude when she left, he probably wanted to kill her. He definitely wouldn't agree to this marriage.

Hayden, seeing James's anger, thought he didn't like Emily. He stepped forward. "Emily has been spoiled by us. She's willful and unruly. We can't possibly match the Smith family. How about we call off the marriage..."

James didn't let Hayden finish. With a snap of his fingers, a dozen bodyguards entered, carrying priceless treasures and contracts the Johnson family had long coveted but couldn't obtain.

"The wedding is on the sixth of next month. It will proceed as planned."

Before the Johnson family could react, James had already stood up and left, not wasting a single word.

Sophia looked worried. "What do we do? It seems the Smith family is determined to have Emily."

Emily clutched the hastily printed 'medical report' from last night and almost ran after him.

"James!" She called out to the tall figure about to get into the car.

James turned, his tailored black suit accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist, his expression cold. "What do you want?"

Emily took a deep breath and handed over the report, her hands trembling. "Look at this."

"The doctor said my private life is too chaotic. I might not be able to have children."

Emily tried to keep her voice calm, even adding a touch of nonchalance, but only she knew how fast her heart was racing.

They had just slept together two days ago, and now she was claiming a chaotic private life. Would he believe her?

"So what?" James asked, his eyes showing no surprise, only a mocking smile.

"The Smith family needs heirs. I can't have children. I'm not fit to marry into the Smith family." Emily met his gaze. "So let's call off the marriage."

"Whether you're fit or not isn't up to you." James took a step forward, his imposing presence making Emily instinctively step back.

He raised his hand, gently pinching Emily's chin, his grip light but unyielding. "That night, you slept with me to marry into the Smith family. Now that you've achieved your goal, stop playing hard to get!"