Chapter 1

"Lawrence, you're already 30. You're not young anymore. Are you really planning to stay at that company forever? If you're not getting married, just come back for a blind date. Your Aunt Ella found a young lady for you. She's coming back from abroad next month, and she seems nice. Come meet her."

It was nearing the end of the workday when Lawrence Hale received the call from his mother, Maddison Pace.

It wasn't the first time she had called to pressure him about marriage. Usually, he'd hesitate or brush it off. But this time, his answer was different.

"Alright. I'll come back once I quit my job."

On the other end, Maddison went silent for a moment. "You're serious about coming back?"

"Yeah, I'll be back."

After hanging up, Lawrence started packing up his desk to leave when the office phone buzzed.

"Come in."

Lawrence pushed the door open, and his gaze immediately landed on the woman standing by the floor-to-ceiling window.

She had a stunning figure and a beautiful face. Under the golden rays of the setting sun, she looked almost ethereal.

When Lawrence approached Julia Ware, she turned and looped her arms around his neck. She then whispered in his ear, "I'm coming to your place tonight."

"I've got plans tonight," he replied, stepping back.

However, Julia grabbed his wrist. "What plans could you possibly have?"

"I have a meeting with a client." Lawrence rejected her again.

Unfazed, Julia reached out and unbuttoned his collar. The marks beneath his white shirt were enough to make anyone blush.

"You know I don't like men who don't listen to me," she murmured, before leaning in to kiss him.

Lawrence frowned but didn't resist. Her kisses trailed over him, but inside, he felt nothing but emptiness.

The night before, he had delivered some documents to Julia at a bar. That was when he overheard her conversation with a group of socialites.

"Ms. Ware, we heard your grandma's setting you up with a fiancé. What about your boy toy, Lawrence?"

Julia had replied nonchalantly, "What about him? He's just a fling. Do you think I'd actually keep him around? If he hadn't been so attentive, I would've replaced him long ago. I'd never marry him."

Everyone knew Lawrence was head over heels for Julia—so much so that no matter the time or place, he'd drop everything for her.

But he never expected that he was nothing more than a fling in Julia's eyes.

At that moment, Lawrence finally woke up.

That night, he drove Julia home as usual. When they reached her door, she turned and wrapped herself around him, igniting every corner of his body with practiced ease.

She was unusually passionate, but for Lawrence, it felt like pure torment.

After their intimacy, she lay in his arms. "I'm getting engaged."

"I see," he replied.

He didn't have much of a reaction. After all, he had known about it. What was there to react to?

"Aren't you upset?" Julia asked.

She wasn't surprised by his reaction. Ever since the day he started working as her assistant, she had never seen Lawrence show any real emotion.

He was like a robot, seemingly indifferent to everyone and everything. He always knew his place and handled every situation with precision.

Most importantly, his features bore a striking resemblance to that person. That was a crucial reason why Julia chose him.

"No. Go to sleep. I'm tired," Lawrence said. He turned over, putting some space between them.

Julia frowned in displeasure and poked him in the back. "Hug me."

But for the first time, Lawrence didn't respond. He stayed stiff and silent, closing his eyes but unable to rest.

The next morning, Julia woke to find Lawrence already gone.

When she went downstairs, there was no breakfast waiting for her.

Every time she stayed here overnight, Lawrence would have her outfit and matching shoes for the next day ready.

She was picky, and the steak she wanted for breakfast always had to be the freshest.

Lawrence would always head to the market early to pick the best steak and rush back to prepare her meal before she came downstairs.

But this morning, he hadn't laid out her clothes or made breakfast.