Brianna sat down and picked up the fork reluctantly. Scott seemed to be completely unconcerned and went on eating gracefully, but he finished his breakfast within just a few minutes and made a phone call. He put the speaker on.

"Have all the doctors and specialists arrived?" He asked.

"Yes, they have. Brianna Warren's mother has been transferred to the Anderson's Private Medical Center. The surgery is about to start."

"Good," Scott said briefly and hung up.

Brianna was now feeling much relieved. She watched Scott for a short while. There was a mixed feeling in her. When she finished half of her breakfast, she stood up, ready to leave for the hospital, but Scott said rather sternly, "Finish it. I've asked them to prepare the right portion. It isn't much at all."

"Ok." Brianna sat down and went on dining.

He had arranged for a driver to take Brianna to Anderson's Private Medical Center. Mom will be ok. Everything will be ok. Mom will be ok. Brianna keeps telling herself, praying. Just as she got to the lift, someone walked past her and bumped onto her shoulder deliberately. She stumbled a bit and almost fell over.

"Brianna Warren, this is not a place for someone like you. This is Anderson's, only for the rich and noble." Zara Berry looked Brianna up and down with disdain and mocks at her.

"I guess I'm one of the rich and noble then." Brianna retorted coldly.

Zara sneered and said, "I bet you were begging everywhere last night. I see. You must have slept with some rich old man, and he's paid you generously. Ha-ha. Don't you feel ashamed at all?"

On hearing so, a few people who were also awaiting the lift looked at Brianna with contempt and moved a few steps away.

An expensively-dressed plump woman commented, "What is it with the young girls nowadays? They have no sense of shame at all, selling their body and self-respect for money! Aren't they worried about getting aids?"

Brianna clenched her fists and retorted, "Zara Berry, you seduced my fiancé and forced him to abandon his mother-in-law-to-be, who's seriously ill. You should be the one feeling ashamed. However, I'm actually rather grateful to you as I've discovered that he's a real asshole anyway. By the way, Good luck."

Brianna said and walked into the lift with her chest up.

Now the others looked at Zara with contempt, and she wished she could give Brianna a slap on her face.

The surgery had started. Brianna waited outside the operating room anxiously, pacing up and down, praying silently.

When the door finally opened, the doctor came out. Brianna asked anxiously, "How did it go?"

"It went perfectly well. Your mother will be sent to the ICU room for close observation and then transferred to the VIP room." The doctor said with confidence.

Brianna heaved a sigh of relief.

About three days later, Brianna's mother was transferred to the VIP room, and she was recovering well.

"Mom, the doctor said you are recovering well, and soon you can go home." Sitting by the bed, Brianna said to her mother gently.

"Brianna, did Liam pay for the operation? Did he?" Brianna's mother, Sue Loren, asked.

A bit taken aback by the question, Brianna hesitated. She didn't want to tell her mother the truth, at least not yet. "Yes. It was very urgent." Brianna said briefly.

"Has he been very busy? I mean, he hasn't even come to visit at all." Sue asked and observed Brianna closely. She found it difficult to believe that Liam had actually paid for the operation.

Her trust for Liam and his family had slowly vanished in the past few years. She had felt how differently they treated her and Brianna after her husband passed away.

She had tried to imply it to Brianna, but Brianna refused to believe her and so she gave up the thought and told herself that she was just overthinking.

"Mom, Liam has been very busy. He has asked me about you. He will come to visit as soon as he can." Brianna said carefully.

"I see. You should help him with work then. I'm fine here. There are three nurses looking after me anyway. Don't worry about me."

"I'm about to go to the company in a bit. I will come and see you later after work, ok?" Brianna lied. She gave her mother a kiss on her forehead and said goodbye, thinking Scott would get angry if she didn't contact him soon.

She had to plead with him for so long to finally get him to agree that she could stay with her mother for three days, and today, she had to return to him.

As soon as she walked out of the hospital, her phone rang, and it was Scott Anderson. "Hello?"

"Go to the Marriage Registration Center now. I will be there in 15 minutes." Scott said clearly.

Brianna was shocked. "Marriage..." she repeated. "Why?!"

"To register."

Brianna shook her head in confusion. "What?!"

"I've kept my promise, and now you should complete your duty and be mine legally," Scott replied matter-of-factly.

"Am I not just a toy to you? Why make it so complicated?" Brianna couldn't help muttering.

"To put a tag on you, stating that you are mine. Just for fun." Scott replied coldly.

"Are you sure, Mr. Scott Anderson?" Brianna asked again.

"When I'm tired of it, I will divorce you. It's completely up to me. Brianna Warren, all you do is obey unconditionally." Scott said casually. The girl I love is gone anyway. It doesn't matter who I marry anymore. When I'm tired of her, I will just pay her to leave. Grandpa will stop asking me about marriage once I tell him I'm married.

Brianna was speechless. Without further explanation, Scott walked into the Registration Center, and Brianna didn't have a choice but to follow behind.

Scott noticed and said, "What? You should be grateful that I'm marrying you."

Brianna put on an apologetic look and said, "Right. I am grateful, Mr. Scott Anderson! Very grateful. I'm sure millions of women dream of being Mrs. Anderson, but who would have guessed that you've chosen..."

"Good." Scott cut her short. "Don't fall in love with me. I'm only getting married for my grandpa's sake."

Brianna opened her eyes wide open in shock, then smiled a reluctant smile and said, "I see."

After they went through the procedure, the host suggested they take a photo together. Brianna stood next to Scott, thinking how surreal and pathetic this was. I've been hoping to marry the man I love, but who am I marrying now? The arrogant and demanding Scott Anderson. What's my life going to be like?

She was staring at Scott without realizing it till the photographer reminded her, "Mrs. Anderson, I'm sure you adore your husband very much, but would you please take a look at the camera?"

Mrs. Anderson? Adore him?! Brianna glanced at the photographer speechlessly. I simply find it unbelievable that I'm marrying this guy!

On hearing so, Scott chuckled, and intentionally, he put his arm around Brianna's waist and said, "Of course, she adores me."

As soon as the photo was taken, Scott moved his arm away from Brianna. When they received the certificate, Brianna still found it very difficult to believe. "Mr. Scott Anderson, we don't really know each other well, are you really sure about this? Won't you regret it?"

"It's just a certificate." Scott replied indifferently, "Also, don't we know each other well enough? I have slept with you. Or you want to get to know me better?"

Brianna heaved a sigh and managed to restrain her anger. She explained with a reluctant smile, "I mean in terms of personality and hobbies and that..."

"You are merely a possession. I bought you. Simple as that." Scott cut her short.

Brianna pouted her lips slightly and thought he was right. I'm merely his possession. I will just play along and make sure that Mom gets the best treatment.

Scott glanced at his assistant, and Levi understood straight away. "This is for your mother's treatment. It will cost around ten thousand dollars monthly. As long as Mr. Scott Anderson is pleased with you, you will receive the money towards the end of each month, if not, then we will..." Levi said as he handed Laura a bank card.

"Or you will deduct money or not pay me?" Brianna asked.

"Right. You are a clever girl." Scott lifted Brianna's chin up, looking her into her eyes, and said indifferently, "And when you don't have the money, your mother can't continue the treatment. So, you should know what to do to please me. And if you are a good girl, you will get extra pay."

So arrogant! Brianna thought, but she was clever enough to know not to express her thoughts. "Mr. Scott Anderson, I am your wife, after all. Surely you won't be so cruel to see my mother not getting the treatment she needs?"

"It's your mother, not mine," Scott said matter-of-factly. "Five hundred dollars deducted. I don't like your attitude."

"What?!" Shocked, Brianna exclaimed and quickly put the bank card in her bag. "Why?"

"What do you think?"

"I don't understand." Brianna frowned. She looked at Levi for help, but Levi turned his head away. Helplessly, Brianna pleaded, holding Scott's arm, "Oh, please, honey, I will do whatever you want me to do. I will be the best woman for you and please you whatever way you want."

A triumphant smile appeared on Scott's face. He looked even more dangerously charming when he smiled, and Brianna was aware of herself being charmed. She quickly looked away, not to show her astonishment. His good look is like the complete opposite of his cruel heart. She thought.

Scott did notice the sudden change on Brianna's face. Another shallow girl. He thought. He glanced at Brianna and walked away to the car.

Brianna followed but was stopped by Levi. "Mrs. Anderson, Mr. Scott Anderson is already about an hour late for work because of you. He's going to the office now."

"Ah. I see."

"Please understand that your marriage is supposed to be secretive. There's no need to tell anyone. Hence, there's no wedding ring or wedding. Also, please don't make any trouble, Mr. Scott Anderson's time is very precious."

Brianna nodded, thinking it would be best if it was kept a secret anyway.

Watching Scott's car drive off, Brianna thought she had to get a job soon. Who knows when he will suddenly deduct money? Brianna got her CV prepared and sent it to a few interior design companies. The interviews all went well, but as soon as they realized who she was, they changed their mind and refused to hire her.

Finally, she went to a decent café to try her luck. Brianna had learned to play the piano exceptionally and was a master in cooking and bakery. Whatever she cooked or baked was not only delightfully delicious but also a piece of artwork itself. She could make a cake that looked like a painting, a lovely creature, or a beautiful flower, and she had won a few national competitions.

She had to give up her hobbies when she started working for Liam as she barely had any time for herself. Now that Liam had betrayed and abandoned her and she had to, ridiculously, marry someone she hardly knew, for the sake of money, from now on, she didn't need to worry about having to get drunk, being drugged, and being taken advantage of for the sake of so-called work and love. She wanted to find a job she could enjoy, something related to art and design.

***

As Scott took off his jacket and sat down in his office, he asked casually, "Have you informed everyone?"

Levi hung up his jacket and answered, "Yes. All the interior design companies have been informed. No one will hire Mrs. Brianna Anderson."

Scott nodded and got down to work.

Levi coughed a timid cough and said, "By the way, all the clothes and shoes for Mrs. Brianna Anderson have arrived, ready in the closet."

"All designed and made by international top designers?"

"Yes. Every single item is unique and of the best quality." Levi paused for a bit and went on, "Mr. Scott Anderson, you are very generous to Mrs. Brianna Anderson, but I, err, I wonder why you are so strict with the money for her mother's treatment."

Scott waved his hand impatiently, and Levi dared not say another word. He bowed and left.

A victorious smile appeared on Scott's face. She's my toy. Of course, I won't let her gain independence. She should be kept in the cage for my own pleasure.

***

Brianna had just finished making a cake with the manager and the chief chef watching. Both the manager and the chef were amazed by her skill and presentation. It was pure perfection.

Just as the manager was about to tell her that she was hired, they heard someone walking in, high heels tapping the floor steadily. "Good afternoon, Miss Berry." They said courteously.

Before Brianna turned around to see who it was, Zara bumped onto Brianna's shoulder so hard that Brianna lost balance and again she landed her hand on the table, and her fingers happened to touch the tip of a sharp knife on the table. Blood gushed out instantly.

"Haven't you made enough money sleeping with rich old men? What are you doing here in my café?!"

Brianna closed her eyes and heaved a sigh. She glared at Zara and asked, "This is your café?!"

"Right! This is not an art exhibition center. We prepare food for our customers to taste, not to watch. We will never hire someone like you!" Zara said arrogantly.

Brianna sneered and retorted, "If I knew it's your café, I would not work here even if you paid me millions!" Brianna turned around to leave, but Zara stopped her. "Clean your dirty blood on the floor first! Or you are not allowed to leave."

"Zara Berry!" Brianna found her unbelievably mean and evil. "Don't be ridiculous!"

"Ridiculous?! You made my floor dirty. You should clean it. Or you want to ask your rich old lovers for help, huh?" Zara mocked.

Enraged, Brianna raised her other hand, intending to give Zara a slap, but Zara grabbed her wrist tight, and it hurt so much that sweat ran down her temples.

Just then, her phone rang. She fished her phone out of her bag with great difficulty. It was Scott. She hesitated. I'd better answer. She decided.

"Hello?"

Scott could hear the struggle and pain in her voice.

"Are you crying again? You know I hate hearing women cry."

It did hurt terribly, but Brianna tried to hide the pain the best she could, "No, I'm not."

"Come join me for lunch," Scott ordered plainly.

Brianna didn't want to be seen in such a state, "I'm just about to finish my lunch," She replied hurriedly.

"What's going on? Why do you sound so upset? Come to my company now. I will give you twenty minutes," Scott demanded.

"I'm...I'm sorry. I can't leave at the moment... I..."

Just then, Scott heard Zara shouting, "Bitch! Mop the floor clean now! Or you prefer to lick it clean?!"