When Shirley Howard arrived with a tray of coffee, she glanced around and realized Kristine was nowhere in sight.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Shirley asked, "Mr. Higgins, did Mrs. Higgins leave already? I see you have a new visitor. Should I prepare a drink for her, or is there something else she'd like?"

Benny looked up at his secretary in confusion. "Mrs. Higgins? She was here?"

The mention of that title sent a visible shock through the three men in the room.

Benny shot to his feet, a scowl settling over his face as he replayed his friends' earlier comments in his head.

Meanwhile, Emilee remained perfectly composed. With a sly grin, she angled her phone so Shirley could clearly see the photo of her and Benny on display.

"I'm Mrs. Higgins now. Let's avoid any more mix-ups," Emilee said smoothly, and then turned to Benny. "Isn't that right, Benny?"

"What..." Shirley's jaw dropped, unable to piece together what had just happened.

After a tense pause, Benny yanked at his tie and, with a forced nod, acknowledged Emilee's claim.

"Of course, Mrs. Higgins. It's a pleasure to meet you," Shirley replied, adjusting quickly to the new reality.

Pleased with herself, Emilee rose from her seat, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear with practiced grace. "Please introduce me to the rest of the team. I'm Benny's wife and your new design director."

Fate had a funny sense of timing. On the very day Kristine discovered the truth, Emilee made her grand entrance, laying claim to her role in both marriage and business.

Yet none of that meant anything now.

Kristine had already packed her things and left, placing nothing more than a settlement agreement and her ring on the living room table as she walked out.

With her departure, the villa was left hollow and silent, stripped of everything that once belonged to her.

Kristine refused to leave even a hint of herself behind.

Once she moved out, there was no wandering or feeling lost—she made straight for Rose Manor, determined to reinvent herself.

In her mind, she imagined Benny one day seeing her transformation and feeling nothing but regret.

Benny's call came right after she wrapped up her evening run.

Sweat dripped down her face as she caught her breath, her cheeks glowing pink beneath the studio lights.

Even with a fuller figure, her features still had a distinct charm, and she carried herself with a kind of easy confidence that refused to be hidden.

Steadying herself in front of the mirror, Kristine watched her chest rise and fall, and then picked up the ringing phone.

"I assume you've already looked over the agreement?"

"You were outside my office at noon. You heard everything, didn't you?"

They spoke almost in unison, falling back into that old, uncanny rhythm.

A bitter laugh slipped from Kristine, sharp as glass. Though she felt hollow inside, her eyes gleamed with something cold.

"So what was your goal, Benny? Five years of lies—for what? A joke? I'm simply asking for ten million as compensation for this whole farce. Believe it or not, that's already me being generous."

Benny's answer came with a chuckle that grated on her nerves.

"Kristine, come on. I asked you to marry me for the thrill of it, the same way people hand out party favors. You were the one who clung to the idea and made it a big deal. You kept pushing for that marriage certificate. I just gave you what you wanted—a fake one. Meanwhile, I've been married to Emilee this whole time."

He let the words hang for a moment before adding, "Emilee's all about the DINK lifestyle, so I had a vasectomy years ago to avoid any slip-ups. Still, she said if she ever saw someone love another enough to throw away their career, to actually change everything just for the chance at a family, then she'd come home and maybe even give me a child. Well, Kristine, you helped make that possible. And now Emilee's back."

As Benny started talking about Emilee, his whole expression softened, missing entirely how cutting his words felt to Kristine.

"I'm not ignoring what you did for me, Kristine. I'll send you the ten million as promised. But I want something in return. Don't get married to anyone else. I can't stand the idea of what's mine ending up with another man after everything between us. If you still want to see me, as long as you leave Emilee alone, I'll keep you on at the company in an admin role. I'll even make time to visit you a couple of days each month. Let's be real, Kristine, you don't have the skills or connections to make it on your own. Letting me take care of you is your best bet," Benny continued, his voice taking on a patronizing calm.

For the first time, Kristine actually listened as Benny rattled on, and it only made her wonder how she could have been so blinded by him before. She realized she had never heard him sound so arrogant and oblivious.

"So those are my choices? What if I want neither?" Kristine snapped, her voice cold. "Who I marry is none of your business."

Benny retorted, "Then try it and see—"

Kristine didn't bother letting him finish. She ended the call, blocking his number with a sharp glare.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. So Benny expected her to pine for him, never moving on, as if she owed him her whole future.

He still had no idea who he was dealing with.

She pulled out her phone, typed out a new message, and sent it straight to her assistant.

Kristine said, "By ten tomorrow, have someone waiting for me at the courthouse. I want to get married."

Kristine took getting married seriously.

If she didn't do it soon, her family would likely force her into some arranged match.

If anyone was going to make decisions about her life, it would be her.

The family could save their matchmaking schemes for someone else—her supposed sister, for one, who had taken Kristine's place for years after being switched at birth, would probably jump at the chance.

Her assistant responded, "Copy that. I'll get it done!"

Satisfied, Kristine set her phone aside and headed for the shower.

She pulled out her hair tie and let her hair tumble down over her shoulders before disappearing into the bathroom.

At dawn, Kristine was up and moving, squeezing in her usual workout before heading out for the day.

Kristine's assistant worked fast, already lining up a marriage candidate who ticked every box.

He was tall, solidly built, just twenty-two, and had come from overseas on a student visa. With no savings and graduation right on the corner, he was desperate to stay in the country—marriage was his golden ticket.

At least he had good looks, a gentle disposition, and zero hesitation about signing a prenup.

Kristine only cared about obedience.

She barely looked at his photo before snapping the file shut, already bored.

When she reached the courthouse, she spotted him waiting outside.

He was dressed head-to-toe in black—a hoodie, sweatpants, baseball cap, and a mask pulled up high. He slouched against the wall, long legs stretched out as if he didn't have a care in the world.

Kristine figured he was trying to hide, embarrassed at having to marry to stay in the country.

But honestly, his feelings didn't matter to her at all.

Closing the distance, Kristine realized he was taller than the profile had suggested.

Kristine found herself staring at his impossibly broad shoulders, forced to tilt her chin just to meet his gaze. The moment their eyes met, she froze.

Those green eyes of his were almost hypnotic—bright as polished emeralds, sharp and impossible to ignore.

Odd. The picture hadn't done him justice. Were contact lenses really this convincing now?

Suspicion flickered across her face as she dug out the prenuptial contract, eyeing him carefully.

"So, you're here to get married too?"

"That's right." Nathan Spencer's reply was calm, but he took his time studying Kristine.

Her wide eyes, small mouth, and round cheeks made her look lively and charming, though he honestly didn't care who he married. In his mind, the whole arrangement was just a business deal, and partners could be swapped out at any time.

With a shrug, Nathan scanned the contract, arched an eyebrow, and scribbled his signature with practiced ease.

Kristine had already signed. She felt a small thrill at his no-nonsense attitude. Nathan Spencer—her gaze dropped as she whispered the name under her breath.

They tucked the paperwork away and walked into the courthouse side by side, both steady and sure.

Just ten minutes later, the two of them walked out as a married couple, the deal sealed and official.

"If there's anything I need, I'll get in touch. For now, just stay put and wait for my instructions," Kristine said, not slowing down as she walked towards her car.

Nathan stopped for a second, caught off guard. Wasn't he supposed to be in charge here? After all, he was the one who hired her.

Still, the boldness in her voice made him want to laugh.

Too bad the mask hid his grin—nobody could see just how much her attitude amused him.

Nathan realized that Kristine never once tried to make conversation, barely even glancing in his direction during the entire marriage process. She followed every step by the book—no questions, no curiosity, just efficiency. That sort of discipline made her exactly the partner he'd hoped to find.

"Works for me," Nathan murmured, and then turned on his heel and strode off.

They both got what they wanted, no fuss or lingering looks.

Kristine got married, but she wasn't eager to parade herself in front of Benny just yet.

She took up residence at Rose Manor, throwing herself into a fierce fitness routine.

All her effort paid off—she slimmed down faster than she'd ever imagined.

Within two months, Kristine barely recognized herself.

Her new figure was all elegant curves and balance, the kind of silhouette that drew every eye in the room. Her delicate features seemed to glow, and just the hint of a smile could send hearts racing.

Admiring her reflection, Kristine traced the edge of the mirror with a pleased grin.

"Miss Holt, you look absolutely incredible! I swear, if I knew you'd end up like this, I would've volunteered for that marriage slot myself. How did I miss out on such a golden opportunity?" Pamela Warren, her assistant, burst into the room, beaming.

"Oh, right! The CEO from Glory Group sent you another invite. His grandson's birthday bash is tomorrow, and apparently, they're announcing the heir to the company," Pamela said, clapping her hands as she remembered. "Are you planning to go? I know you usually avoid these events these days, so—"

But Kristine's lips curved upward, a spark in her eyes, as she interjected, "Why wouldn't I go? It's about time I showed my face."

She had every intention of running into Benny at that party. He still owed her ten million, and Kristine was determined to collect every cent.

"Reach out to Nathan and make sure he has a suit for tomorrow's event," Kristine said offhandedly, already turning her attention to selecting her own dress and jewelry.

Pamela stood in the doorway, thoroughly confused, and hurried to grab Kristine's arm. "Wait—Nathan who? Who are you even talking about?"

"Are you serious right now? Nathan Spencer, of course. My legal husband—the man you picked out for me, remember?" Kristine shot her assistant a stunned look.

Pamela raked her hands through her hair, clearly frazzled. "No, no, I'm sure I arranged for a guy named Jeff Sutton! Didn't Jeff show up to marry you?"

Kristine's jaw dropped. "Excuse me? Jeff Sutton was supposed to be my husband? So what was this Nathan guy doing here, claiming he was waiting for me?"

Across town, Nathan stood at the window of his seventy-second floor office, surveying the skyline.

One leg crossed, he tapped his fingers on the table in a slow, steady rhythm.

His bespoke suit hugged his frame, every line immaculate.

A tight line settled over his lips, and his jaw tensed, projecting a silent command that filled the room.

His eyes slid over to the nervous man giving a report. The pressure of Nathan's gaze made the subordinate's voice falter as he stared down at the floor.

"Mr. Spencer, we've discovered that Kristine Holt, the woman you accidentally married, isn't as straightforward as she appears. Someone clearly made sure most of her history stays hidden. What we do know is that she has a connection to the Campbell family from Dosnard and spent five years in a fake marriage with Benny Higgins. It seems she was tricked into it. There's still a lot we're working to uncover."

"Keep digging. It is indeed interesting she's tied to the Campbells," Nathan said, a short, cold laugh slipping out. His gaze hardened as he looked straight at his subordinate. "Go take your punishment. Now."

"Understood, sir!"

...

Kristine had finally pieced together the truth, but now there wasn't much she could do. She couldn't get through to Jeff, so she ended up heading to the banquet alone.

As luck would have it, she bumped into Benny and Emilee right at the entrance.

Neither of them had remembered to bring their invitation, and the security guards weren't about to make exceptions.

Both Benny and Emilee wore matching sour looks, but the guard didn't budge. "Sorry, sir, ma'am, you can't enter without an invitation."

"Do you have any idea who we are? He's the CEO of the Higgins Group, and I'm his wife! I was personally invited by Mr. Gerard Payne himself. The outfits he and his grandson are wearing tonight? All my designs! If you keep us out, do you know what kind of rumors the press will run with tomorrow? What if the company's stock price takes a hit? You're going to be the one held responsible by then!" Emilee puffed herself up, her voice loud and clear.

She was dressed to impress, layered in diamonds—her necklace alone was worth a small fortune, and the giant pink diamond on her finger had once belonged to royalty.

Watching Emilee flaunt her jewelry, Kristine couldn't help but smirk, thinking how all that sparkle only made her look gaudy. Sometimes, she mused, a lack of taste said more about a person than any headline.

With a steady hand, Kristine lifted her gown and approached the door, calm and collected.

"There's no need to hassle the security. They're only doing their job. If you don't have an invitation, step aside and let the next guest through," Kristine said, passing her own invitation to the guard. She added with a teasing smile, "Am I right?"

Tonight, Kristine was dressed in a deep green gown, its flowing skirt embroidered with vines and blossoms that made her seem almost otherworldly.

A crown of emerald-studded leaves rested lightly on her hair, the whole effect striking in its simplicity—no gaudy jewelry weighed her down.

"What's your problem? Are you just trying to steal the spotlight? Who even are you? What business is this of yours?" Emilee shot Kristine a scornful glare, her voice rising in protest.

Benny's eyes lingered on Kristine, a look of surprise and faint recognition flickering across his face.

This woman looked oddly familiar, though he couldn't quite place her.

Their spat drew a crowd of curious guests, some already whispering among themselves after spotting Kristine's elegant gown.

Kristine kept her tone even as she replied, eyes glinting with sarcasm, "It's not about me making a scene—it's about what's fair. Maybe you don't know who I am, but I know exactly who you are." Her gaze narrowed. "Although, I'm a little confused. When did Mr. Higgins swap wives without an announcement? Or are you just his new lover?"

"Who are you calling a lover? I'm—"

Emilee's retort was cut short when Benny stared at Kristine, his voice shaky with realization. "Wait... Kristine? Is that really you?"