“Congrattions, Leni Hernandez. You are qualified to be my bride for the next three months. Please step forward so we may sign the deal,” dered Nelson, his toneced with confidence.


    Within a fraction of a second, Leni’s eyes widened in astonishment and anxiety, clearly visible on her face.


    Herbert, on the other hand, was taken aback. He stared at his boss, his expression showing disbelief and surprise. The other women, as well as the host, were equally shocked.


    “Mr. Carter, you haven’t even conducted an interview with the candidate. Perhaps that should be the next step,” Herbert interjected. However, Nelson calmly interrupted him.


    “There is no need, Herbert. I have made my decision. The woman I wish to marry out of all those present here today is Leni Hernandez,” Nelson stated confidently, emphasizing the word ‘marry’ with a hint of pride.


    Upon hearing his words, Leni’s heart skipped a beat like a frightened rabbit. ‘I’m doomed,’ she thought to herself.


    “Herbert, inform the other women that the interview is over. They may leave now,” ordered Nelson, his gaze fixed on Leni’s troubled eyes.


    Acting quickly, Herbert directed the audience to make their way out of the hall. “Please ept our apologies for any inconvenience caused,” he announced.


    As the women left, some could not help but murmur among themselves and send envious nces towards Leni’s direction.


    “Now, my dear Wifey, it’s time for you to step forward and sign the contract. How long do you n on standing there?” Nelson stood up leisurely and walked over to lean casually on the table.


    Leni’s trembling lower lip and zing emerald eyes portrayed her inner turmoil. Putting on a brave facade, she approached him.


    “Thank you for the offer, sir, but I am not interested,” she replied ndly.


    Nelson raised an eyebrow in response. “Really? I don’t recall asking for your opinion, Miss Hernandez,” hemented, one hand in his pocket while the other unbuttoned his suit, without even ncing at her.


    Leni let out a disbelievingugh, muffling it with a huff. “Are you kidding me right now? What do you…” she trailed off.


    “Let’s not waste time, Miss Hernandez. Why don’t you peruse the contract and reconsider your stance,” Nelson interrupted, handing her the manuscript which she hesitated to take.


    “I have no intention of changing my mind when I am unsure of your intentions,” Leni expressed her fear, her eyes glistening.


    Nelson simply nodded. “I understand your apprehension, given what happened between us earlier today. But I assure you, it is in the past. I hold no resentment towards you, Miss Hernandez,” he spoke calmly and deliberately, as though he had all the time in the world.


    “Really?” Leni’s surprise was evident in her lit-up eyes, feeling a weight lifted off her chest. Perhaps she had been overthinking and Nelson had no ill intentions towards her after all.


    But then, a thought crossed her mind once more. “Then why did you choose me among all the other women?” she asked suspiciously.


    Nelson’s lips contorted into a subtle smirk, causing Leni’s heart to flutter. What in the world?


    “Well, I selected you for your courage, Miss Hernandez. I have no doubt you’ll make an excellent wife,” he said calmly, though his hidden anger was ready to erupt as he observed her.


    Upon hearing his words, Leni’s frown transformed into a wide grin as she gingerly epted the file folder and began scanning its contents.


    Her smile grew even wider as she came across the substantial amount listed as the advance payment. This man is incredibly wealthy!


    In her mind, she pictured Ethan chasing after her, both of themughing joyously. She also imagined him riding a bike, filled with childlike glee.


    “Here’s a pen, Miss,” Herbert’s voice snapped her back to reality. She epted the pen with a grateful smile and made her way to the table, quickly signing the contract.


    When she turned back around, she saw Nelson’s face adorned with a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Her heart began to race.


    “Congrattions again, Miss Hernandez,” Nelson said as he took the file from her.


    She was initially hesitant to let go, but Nelson’s warm smile convinced her to relinquish the file.


    “The rules and regtions will be sent to you via email tomorrow,” he informed her before pausing to observe her.


    “And most importantly, you won’t be receiving a single penny from this deal,” his eyes were dark like an endless abyss, and a muscle twitched in his jaw.


    The downfall engulfed Leni in a tempestuous turmoil of wrath, revulsion, and anguish. It was a mor of emotions that raged and toppled within her.


    The bitterness churned in the depths of her stomach, while fury consumed her thoughts.


    She had been deceived by him!


    “What did you just say?” she whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.


    “I said what you heard,” he held up the file in front of her face and repeated, “You won’t be receiving any payment for this deal.”


    “This is a vition of our agreement, you imbecile! You are mixing personal animosity with business. It’s uneptable!” Leni shrieked, as tears fell against her will.


    “Now that I think about it, don’t you think you’re the imbecile? As abrasive and sharp-tongued as you are, I never imagined you could be so easily fooled,” his face twisted with anger and vindictiveness.


    “I was in a vulnerable situation, you swindler! Don’t do this to me, take back your words,” even when asking for a favor, she couldn’t hide the hint ofmand in her voice.


    No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t hold back her tears – they continued to flow freely. She blinked rapidly, but to no avail.


    Nelson leaned in closer and murmured, “It’s not my fault that you chose the wrong person to mess with,” his tone as frigid as the wintery winds of the northwest.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    Her heart sank, her body swaying uncontrobly as if she were on the verge of copsing.


    Nelson walked away, followed by his perplexed assistant. Herbert nced back at Leni, who had crumpled to the ground, feeling pity for her despite having no clue how she had offended his boss.


    “Ethan,” Leni broke down in tears, clutching her aching chest. “I’m sorry, Ethan. I am truly sorry.”


    ************


    “Damn you, Hannah! Are you on my side or against me? How could you lure me into such a trap?” Leni seethed on the phone, venting her frustration to her best friend.


    “Take a deep breath and tell me exactly what happened, Lani. I did it knowing you wouldn’t agree if I had mentioned the job and the money involved is pretty big. So, what’s the issue?” Hannah spoke calmly on the line.


    “Everything is wrong, Hannah. In fact, nothing is right,” she closed her eyes and exhaled. “I yelled at a man this morning on my way to the damn interview, only to find out he was the judge – I mean the groom,” the memory made her heart ache.


    “Oh my goodness, Lani, what did you do?” Hannah’s voice rose to a shriek.


    “But that’s not even the problem, Hannah. Can you believe he tricked me into signing the contract and then told me straight up he wouldn’t be giving me any crap,”


    Her ears were met with silence and she knew her best friend was at a loss for words.


    “You know what? I’lle over to your ce once you’re done with work. See you then,”


    She hung up and pped her forehead, cursing her wretched life internally.


    She snapped back to reality when a bus arrived. Letting out a heavy sigh, she stood up and boarded.


    “How did it go, Lani? How was the interview? Did you get the job?” Ethan’s gleaming amber eyes lit up with curiosity as his sister entered the house.


    Leni chuckled and crouched down in front of him. “I got the job, Ethan. I aced the interview,” she admitted, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. But she held them back determinedly.


    “Yippee!” Ethan eximed, pulling his sister into a tight embrace. “Thank you for getting the job, My Lani.”


    Leni’s cheeks glistened with silent tears as she hugged her brother back, feeling guilty for deceiving him.


    “So, what exactly is the job?” Ethan inquired once they broke from the embrace, wiping away the tears on Leni’s face and assuming they were tears of happiness.


    “Um,” Leni moistened her dry lips, trying toe up with a suitable response. “It’s an assistant job. You know, the kind where you’re always by your boss’s side.”


    She was amazed at how easily the lie rolled off her tongue. Too effortlessly.


    “Really? That means the pay must be amazing. Oh, Lani, you’ve hit the jackpot this time for sure!”


    Ethan’s excitement only made Leni want to burst into tears. She avoided his gaze and silently apologized, “I’m so sorry, Ethan.”