For a brief moment, the living room fell into complete silence.

Braydon kept his gaze on Caroline, something unreadable passing through his eyes.

He had expected a spoiled girl, someone who had been indulged all her life and never endured even the slightest hardship. He had denied her a wedding, skipped the photos, and locked her out on the very first day of their marriage.

Even after all that, Caroline didn't break down, didn't lash out, didn't cause a scene, and didn't reach out to the Palmer family for support.

Instead, she simply dropped onto the couch and settled in as if she had every intention of staying.

That alone caught his interest.

Tilting her head up, Caroline met his gaze. "Braydon, I'm aware you don't like me. Still, we're legally bound now, so our lives are tied together. You don't want to acknowledge it? That's fine. I'll stay right here and wait. If you deny it for a day, I'll wait a day. If it takes a year, then I'll wait a year."

"Acknowledge what?"

"That I'm your wife."

A laugh slipped from Braydon as he looked at her.

"Fine," he said casually. "Then go ahead and wait."

Without another word, he turned and made his way upstairs.

Left alone in the living room, Caroline slowly let a faint smile form on her lips.

She wasn't simply waiting. She was taking a gamble.

From what she remembered of her previous life, she understood Braydon far too well.

He wouldn't bend to pressure, and pleading meant nothing to him. The only thing that ever moved him was curiosity.

As long as she managed to catch his interest, even slightly, he would start paying attention to her.

Once that happened, she would have the opportunity to change everything.

Upstairs, Braydon pushed the bedroom door open.

Jared lay stretched out on the bed, absorbed in his phone. The moment he noticed Braydon, he sprang up. "Well? Did that woman stir things up?"

Without responding, Braydon walked over and sat on the couch beside the bed, then poured himself a glass of whiskey.

Leaning closer with curiosity, Jared asked, "Did she cry? Did she call her family to complain?"

"No."

"What's she doing?"

Braydon raised his glass and took a slow sip. "She's downstairs, sitting on the couch."

"That's it?"

"Yeah."

"She's just sitting there doing nothing?"

A subtle curve formed at Braydon's lips. "She's waiting for me to acknowledge that she's my wife."

Morning came soon after.

Caroline had stayed on that couch the entire night.

The living room was spacious, and the couch felt comfortable, but it still fell short of an actual bed.

As she woke, a slight stiffness settled into her neck.

She pushed herself upright, massaged the soreness, and then noticed a glass of warm milk along with a sandwich placed neatly on the table.

For a brief moment, she paused.

Standing nearby, the butler stepped forward once he saw she was awake, and his tone carried more respect than before. "Madam, Mr. Lewis arranged breakfast for you."

Caroline's brow lifted slightly. "He did?"

"Yes."

Reaching out, Caroline picked up the milk and took a sip. The warmth felt just right.

A faint smile touched her lips, yet she said nothing.

Upstairs, Braydon stood by the study window, watching the staff move about as they cleaned the garden below.

The door opened as Jared walked in, then moved beside him and looked down. "So she really stayed? I figured she was just putting on a show last night."

Braydon didn't respond.

Jared kept rambling. "She's got patience. Most women would've broken down and run back home after being made to sleep on a couch on the first night after marriage."

Turning away from the window, Braydon walked over and took a seat at his desk. "That's not patience."

"Then what do you call it?"

"She's clever."

"Clever? How does that even count as clever?"

Instead of answering, Braydon stayed silent and flipped through the papers in his hand.

The file he was reading held Caroline's personal details.

Caroline was a smart woman. She knew tears wouldn't change anything and complaints would only fall flat, so she chose a different approach altogether.

After finishing her breakfast, Caroline picked up her suitcase and made her way upstairs without hesitation.

The butler moved as if to block her path, yet he held back and followed behind her instead. "Madam, Mr. Lewis' study is located on east side of the second floor. Please be careful not to head the wrong way..."

"Where's my room?"

The butler hesitated before pointing to a door at the end of the hallway. "That is Mr. Lewis' bedroom. The room beside it is meant for guests."

Caroline stepped forward and pushed open the guest room door.

The space looked complete with furnishings, though it carried the untouched feel of a room no one had ever used.

She placed her suitcase on the floor, opened it, and began taking out her clothes, arranging them neatly in the wardrobe as if she belonged there.

Lingering at the doorway, the butler seemed hesitant, as though words were stuck on his tongue.

Without even glancing back, Caroline said, "If you've got something to say, then say it."

"Madam, Mr. Lewis has quite a temper. If there's anything you need, it might be better to come to me first."

Turning around, Caroline met his eyes. "Then let me ask you something. Will he acknowledge that I'm his wife?"

The question left him speechless.

"If he won't, then what's the point of going through you?"

The butler stood there, unable to respond.

Returning to her task, Caroline continued hanging her clothes, her voice light and unconcerned. "Don't worry. I'm not here to stir trouble. I'll live my life as usual. When I'm hungry, I'll eat. When I'm tired, I'll sleep. He can act like I don't exist, and I'll do the same."

By midday, Caroline went downstairs for lunch.

The dining hall stretched wide, and though she sat there alone, the table was filled with an elaborate spread.

Once she finished eating, she returned to her room and took a nap.

Later that afternoon, she wandered into the garden and spent some time talking with the gardener, learning about the different varieties of roses.

When dinner time came, Braydon was nowhere to be seen.

Caroline didn't question it. She ate quietly and went back to her room afterward.

The second day passed the same way, and nothing changed on the third.

By the fourth day, Jared finally snapped.

"Seriously, this is driving me insane!" he burst out. "I've been staying here for four days and there's zero excitement! All I see is that woman strolling around the garden like it's her daily routine!"

A hand came up to Braydon's temple as he massaged it lightly.

Even he hadn't anticipated Caroline would keep this up for so long.

Not once in those past days had she tried to seek him out.

"Have the butler bring her to the study," he said.

If things dragged on any further, he figured Jared might settle in for the long haul.

At that same time, Caroline was outside chatting with the elderly gardener when the butler approached in a hurry. "Madam, Mr. Lewis would like to see you in his study."

Caroline lifted her gaze. "Right now?"

"Yes."

"Alright."

Brushing off her dress, Caroline followed him back inside.

They arrived at the study upstairs, and the butler knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in." Braydon's voice sounded from within.

Opening the door, the butler stepped aside to let Caroline pass.

The study stretched wide, with a large desk positioned in front of tall windows that reached from floor to ceiling.

Seated behind it, Braydon held a pen while reviewing documents.

Caroline paused at the entrance instead of stepping forward.

Without lifting his head, Braydon said, "Come here."

Caroline walked over and stopped across from him.

Setting the pen aside, Braydon finally raised his head and looked at her.

A soft blue dress framed her figure, and her long hair fell naturally over her shoulders. With no makeup on, she looked simple yet striking.

Compared to the last time he saw her, she seemed a little thinner.

Braydon asked, "Are you settling in well?"

Caroline nodded. "Everything's been fine."

"No tears?"

"None."

"No complaints either?"

"Not at all."

With his eyes fixed on her, Braydon studied her quietly. "Do you have any idea what people are saying about you right now?"

Caroline gave a slight shake of her head. "I don't."

"They're saying that you were rejected by me on the first night we got married, spent the night on the couch and still chose to stay, making a complete fool of yourself."

After hearing all that, Caroline only let out a faint smile. "I see."

"That's it? That's all you've got to say?"

"What else should I say?" Caroline replied, meeting his gaze. "If I cared about those rumors, I wouldn't have married you in the first place."

For a brief moment, Braydon simply stared at her before a low laugh escaped him.

He rose from his seat, walked around the desk, and stopped right in front of her.

As he stood over her, his height made his presence feel overwhelming.

In that moment, she couldn't help but think his reputation wasn't exaggerated at all. He ruled Praginia with unmatched influence and moved effortlessly between both sides of the law, a man everyone feared.

He asked in a low voice, "Caroline, what is it that you actually want?"

Caroline met his eyes. "I want you to acknowledge me as your wife."

"Why?" Braydon asked.

"Because I am your wife," Caroline replied.

A faint look crossed Braydon's eyes. "That's not the answer I wanted."

Caroline went quiet.

She understood exactly what he meant.

People knew how obsessed she used to be with Jacob. They talked about the things she had done for him like gossip over dinner tables.

Now she suddenly turned around and married Braydon instead. Of course he'd find it strange.

However, she couldn't tell him the real reason.

There was no way she could tell him she'd already lived through one lifetime before this one. She also couldn't admit she had seen how well Vivian lived after marrying him, or how disgusting Jacob truly was beneath his mask.

After staying silent for a while, Caroline finally looked at him and answered, "I prefer powerful men."

For the first time since entering the room, Braydon actually looked surprised.

Caroline continued, "Jacob can't even walk. How could someone like him protect me or support the Palmer family? But you're different. Nobody in Praginia dares to challenge you. If I'm standing beside you, I won't have to be afraid of anyone."

Every word came out direct and honest.

Braydon stared at her for a moment before chuckling. "So that's why you married me. You wanted my power."

"That's right."

"Not because you like me?"

A small smile appeared on Caroline's lips. "We barely know each other, Braydon. It'd be strange if I claimed I married you because of love."

"Fine," Braydon said, his voice turning playful. "You've got three minutes to convince me this marriage should stay. If you fail, I'll send you back to the Palmer family tomorrow and end all of this."

Caroline's fingers tightened slightly. Ever since her father died, the Palmer family had been losing ground little by little.

That was the whole reason her family pushed so hard for this marriage alliance in the first place.

If Braydon cast her aside now, the Palmer family would collapse completely.

Caroline was keenly aware of all this.

In her past life, Amanda worked endlessly to build ties with both the Lewis family and the Lloyd family through marriage. She wanted both Caroline and Vivian to become support for the Palmer family.

Unfortunately, Caroline was blinded by love back then. Her attention stayed fixed on Jacob alone. She never cared about the family's situation.

This time, she planned to change both the Palmer family's fate and her own.

Looking straight at Braydon, Caroline finally spoke. "The land in the south of the city."

The smile in Braydon's eyes disappeared little by little.

"You're planning to take that land for yourself." Caroline gave him a small smile. "I understand finance, economics, and real estate development. My family background makes the cut. I'm good-looking, and I won't stick my nose into your affairs with other women. To put it simply, I am a low-maintenance, understanding, tactful partner. Trust me, I am your ideal choice for a wife."

Braydon stayed silent. His expression darkened slightly, but he still didn't interrupt her.

"Since you haven't refused, I'll take that as agreement." Caroline slowly stood from her chair. "I hope we'll have a happy life together as a married couple."

After leaving those words behind, Caroline didn't stay another second. She turned around and walked out of the room.

Just then, Jared slipped out of the next room in slow, careful steps. "She couldn't have actually known that, could she? How could she possibly know you're trying to acquire the land in the south?"

The acquisition had never been made public.

That piece of land had already been reserved for casino development.

How could a woman known only for shopping and parties learn something that secret?

"Does her background mention anything about finance, economics, or real estate?"

Without waiting for permission, Jared picked up the documents scattered across Braydon's desk and skimmed through the pages.

"What the hell? She had perfect grades the entire time she was in college? And she already secured admission for graduate school? If she was this smart, why'd she quit studying?" Jared's eyes widened in disbelief.

Not long after leaving the study, Caroline contacted the bank.

Now that she was Braydon's wife, the president personally answered her call.

"Mrs. Lewis, what can I assist you with?"

"I'd like to borrow sixty million dollars," Caroline said plainly.

The amount stunned the president into silence for a moment.

Caroline came from the Palmer family. On top of that, she was now Braydon's wife.

Someone with her background shouldn't have needed a loan for only sixty million dollars.

"Mrs. Lewis," the president said carefully, "the interest rate for this amount won't be low. Should we speak with Mr. Lewis first?"

Caroline answered calmly, "He's overloaded with work lately, and he forgot to transfer my allowance. I only need the money because I want to buy him a gift at the auction. Please don't bring this up to him. I'll repay everything within three months, so there won't be any issue."

The explanation cleared up the confusion almost immediately.

Everyone in their social circle knew Caroline had always spent money freely, even before marrying into the Lewis family. To ordinary people, sixty million dollars would've sounded impossible. For Caroline, however, it was only money meant for a gift.

The president saw no reason to hesitate over the loan.

After all, he was helping Braydon's wife while earning interest at the same time. The deal was practically foolproof.

"You don't need to worry, Mrs. Lewis. I'll keep this matter private."

Caroline asked, "What about the credit check?"

"You're Mrs. Lewis now. There's no need for that process. We'll complete the contract online, and I'll transfer the money immediately after."

"Thank you," Caroline replied.

Then she ended the call.

The southern land was valuable, sure. But nobody paid attention to a piece of land in the east of the city. Right now, the place counted as undeveloped land, so buying it wouldn't require much money.

That was one of the reasons she had married Braydon. She wanted the title of "Mrs. Lewis" because it allowed her to bypass the bank's asset verification. And in the future, that identity would continue opening doors for her.

Later that afternoon, Caroline received a call from Vivian.

Her voice sounded hesitant. "Caroline, are you free right now? I want to see you."

At the time, Caroline was resting in the garden beneath the sun. "What is it?"

"I'd rather tell you face-to-face."

"Alright. Come over."

After hanging up, Caroline already understood what was happening.

Vivian started regretting her decision.

About half an hour later, Vivian arrived.

A light pink dress covered her figure, while her pale face and swollen eyes made it obvious she'd been crying.

The sight nearly made Caroline laugh inwardly.

Only a few days had passed, yet Vivian was already beginning to break.

Walking over slowly, Vivian pressed her lips together before speaking. "Caroline, I..."

"Sit down first." Caroline motioned toward the chair beside her.

Without another word, Vivian lowered herself into the seat with her head down.

Caroline didn't rush her to continue speaking. She remained stretched across the recliner beneath the sunlight, looking completely at ease in the role of a wealthy wife.

Eventually, Vivian couldn't hold back anymore. "Caroline," she said quietly, "I want a divorce."

Caroline lifted a brow, yet chose to remain silent.

Tears kept rolling down Vivian's cheeks as she spoke. "Jacob's condition has gotten worse lately. I've been with him these few days, and the way he looks now... Caroline, I'm only twenty. I don't want my whole life tied to someone like that."

Still, Caroline gave no response.

Taking her silence as indifference, Vivian broke down even more. "Jacob's brother, Alec Lloyd, doesn't treat him like family at all. He humiliates him, calls him useless, a burden. His wife is even worse. She never misses a chance to insult me and bring up my background. I can't stand it anymore."

At first, Vivian believed Jacob's affection would secure her a comfortable and wealthy life within the Lloyd family.

However, reality proved otherwise. Jacob had no authority in that household.

He couldn't even stand up for her.

Time and again, he stayed silent while his sister-in-law picked on her.

Thinking of that, Vivian wiped her tears and looked at Caroline with desperation.

"Caroline, please help me get a divorce. And ask Braydon to find a better man for me. I don't need a rich one. I just want someone kind. I don't want anything to do with the Lloyds anymore."

Caroline looked at her, sneering inside.

In her previous life, she had gone through the exact same humiliation after marrying into the Lloyd family.

Alec once pointed at her and called her a fool. His wife even dumped leftovers onto her plate and told her, "The Lloyd family doesn't support freeloaders. If you want to eat, then work."

She took care of Jacob and handled everything for him, yet they still accused her of pretending to be devoted just to get their money.

And back then, where was Vivian?

Vivian married Braydon and lived in luxury. Occasionally, she would visit, dressed in expensive brands and covered in jewelry, looking down on her. "Caroline, if you had listened to me, you wouldn't have ended up like this."

Now their roles had reversed, and Vivian was the one crying.

Letting out a soft sigh, Caroline put on a conflicted expression. "Vivian, it's not that I don't want to help. I'm barely managing my own situation right now."

Shock flashed across Vivian's face. "What do you mean? Didn't you marry Braydon?"

"I did, but he has no feelings for me," Caroline replied with a bitter smile. "We didn't even have a wedding. After we registered the marriage, he left me at the villa and never gave me any allowance. If I want to buy something, I have to figure it out on my own."

That explanation was only partly true. It was true that there was no wedding, and he hadn't given her money. But none of that mattered to her.

Vivian hadn't expected that answer at all. She forgot to wipe her tears. "Then... what should I do now?"

Caroline shook her head lightly. "I'm barely managing things on my end. How could I go to him and ask him to find you a new husband? And with someone like Braydon, asking for favors would only make him look down on me more."

Panic flashed across Vivian's face. She bit her lip, then suddenly grabbed Caroline's hand. "Caroline, please. I'm begging you. You have to help me!"

Inside, Caroline felt nothing but disdain, yet she didn't let it show. "I'm sorry, but I don't know how to help you."

"Caroline!" Vivian clutched her hand more tightly. "I'm your sister. Can you really stand by and watch me fall into this? Please help me. I'll do anything, as long as I get a divorce."

Caroline watched her in silence for a moment. After a brief pause, she sighed and patted Vivian's hand. "Alright. I'll think of something."

Hope instantly lit up Vivian's eyes. "You mean it?"

"Of course." Caroline nodded. "You mentioned earlier that Jacob isn't well?"

Vivian nodded quickly. "He's been sick for days, and no one's taking care of him. When I visited, he was alone in his room. No one even gave him water."

After thinking it over, Caroline suggested, "Then that gives you even more reason to step in and take care of him."

Vivian stared at her, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Think about how the Lloyd family sees you right now."

A hint of frustration crossed Vivian's face. "His brother and sister-in-law both dislike me."

"Right. So what should you be doing now?" Caroline's tone softened as she guided her. "From what I know, Jacob's mother rarely interferes in family matters. First, take Jacob to the hospital. The Lloyd family has strong ties in the medical field, so once she hears about it, she'll definitely ask questions. That's your chance. Tell her you want to move out with Jacob so you can care for him properly. Most importantly, you need to mention that he's been mistreated by his brother. Once she finds out her youngest son has been suffering, she won't stay calm. Then you'll take him for treatment and look after him. She'll see you as thoughtful and responsible."

Vivian hesitated. "But..."

"No buts." Caroline cut her off. "Build your reputation now and get the Lloyd family on your side. That way, you'll have leverage later. When you say you can't endure it anymore and want a divorce, they won't be able to force you to stay. Do you understand?"

Vivian fell into thought.

Caroline added casually, "Besides, you're taking him for treatment anyway. What if he actually recovers? If he can walk again, you might not want to divorce him anymore."

Hope flickered in Vivian's eyes. "But what if his condition can't be fixed..."

"Even if he never recovers, you still come out of it with a good name." Caroline gave a small smile. "When you ask for a divorce, people will blame him for not cherishing such a devoted wife. No one will accuse you of leaving him for a better life. Do you understand?"

Vivian nodded quickly. "I do! Caroline, you really think things through. But... I don't have much cash right now."

Caroline let out a soft sigh. "I'm not exactly well-off either, but I've saved a little. The treatment shouldn't cost too much at the start. I can give you fifty thousand. Will that be enough?"

A bright gleam lit up Vivian's eyes. "That's more than enough. Thank you, Caroline!"

Caroline gave a small nod, grabbed her phone, and sent her fifty thousand.

After thanking her repeatedly, Vivian finally left.

Once she was gone, Caroline leaned back and allowed a slow smile to form.

In her previous life, the moment she married Jacob, she took him for treatment right away.

She went from one hospital to another across Praginia, pleading with every doctor she could find. Yet no matter what she tried, his condition only worsened. His legs never improved, and his overall health declined further.

It was only later that she uncovered that Jacob and Alec didn't share the same mother, and Jacob was an illegitimate son.

Years back, Rory Lloyd, Jacob and Alec's father, got a woman pregnant after a drunken fling. To hide the scandal, he claimed the child was his wife's son and brought the baby home.

His wife, Stacey Lloyd, despised that illegitimate child, and Alec hated him even more for threatening his share of the inheritance.

Alec was the one who had shattered Jacob's legs.

And as for Jacob's worsening condition, Stacey had been tampering with his meals all along.

They didn't want Jacob to die outright. That would raise suspicion. Instead, they kept him weak and bedridden, letting him fade away slowly.

Now, Vivian was about to step in and push for his treatment, digging into the cause of his illness.

How would the Lloyd family react to that?

A faint smile appeared on Caroline's lips.

"Vivian, now it's your turn to go through all the pain I endured before."