Chapter 7

The members of the York family were momentarily stunned but soon erupted into laughter.

"Dr. Stewart, are you joking? That kid only pressed a few pressure points on Lord Xavier, and you're saying he's now cured of his incurable disease?!"

"This sounds more like magic than medicine!"

"I could do it too!" someone chimed in.

Mark frowned and said, "No, even if it looked like a simple massage, this would have required skill in traditional medicine. It's not that simple."

Xavier waved him off. "Enough of that. Dr. Stewart, let's have some tea. We have the finest black tea here."

Mark relented. After all, discussing medical matters with those outside the field felt like talking to a wall.

After a while, the York family bid farewell to Mark.

Then, Zacharias said with a hint of annoyance, "This so-called renowned doctor is nothing. He mistook a mere youngster for a legendary physician!"

Xavier stroked his beard and said, "Dr. Stewart is getting old. Mistakes happen when you're not directly involved."

"But Dad, are we just letting this slide? He slapped me today!" Zeke said, his face still red from the slap.

Xavier sneered. "Of course not. His name is Frederick Lester, right? A mere junior employee in our sales department? Taking revenge on him would be easy."

"Are you suggesting...?"

The two brothers looked at each other, sensing a brewing conspiracy!

-

"Have you had enough?"

Not long after leaving the Fascine Villa, Jennifer pulled her hand away from Frederick's grip, glaring at him coldly.

"We agreed on an hour, and you've exceeded it by ten minutes."

Frederick felt awkward and said, "Sorry, Ms. York. I have a forgetful nature."

Actually, Frederick had felt so comfortable holding Jennifer's hand that he couldn't help himself.

"I only invited you today to help me avoid an arranged marriage set up by my family! Don't get ahead of yourself. Do you really think I'm interested in you?"

Jennifer continued with a posture exuding confidence, "You're just an intern with a salary of three thousand-five and only a high school diploma.

"Meanwhile, I'm a Ph.D. holder and the deputy CEO of the company. I have admirers stretching from the Pacific East Coast all the way to Mirage City!

"We're not in the same league. Just like the stars in the sky will never stoop down to look at the fish in the river, I won't ever fall for you!"

Frederick was ever calm and composed as he asked, "So, can I leave now?"

Jennifer was taken aback.

Her intention was to shatter his illusions and put this man in his place. However, he seemed utterly unfazed. It appeared that living a life at the bottom had narrowed his perspective and aspirations, making him content with his circumstances.

Seeing this, Jennifer felt a mix of disappointment and anger.

Her first time had been with... a man like this?!

Just as she was about to turn away in disdain, she noticed something alarming. Not far away, members of the York family were watching them discreetly.

She hastily grabbed the hem of Frederick's shirt. "Hold on! Did I say you could leave?"

Frederick was exasperated. "Ms. York, do you need something else? Didn't you say my task as your shield has already been completed?"

Having helped Jennifer this time, he felt it balanced out what he had done to her at the office.

Jennifer responded icily, "Just follow me."

"Follow you? Where to?" Frederick was puzzled.

But Jennifer didn't give him an explanation. She pulled him into her car and drove them downtown to an office building.

As they approached the marriage registration office, realization dawned on Frederick.

"The marriage registry? Wait, you...!"

"You're not in a position to ask questions," Jennifer interjected sharply.

With those words hanging in the air, she dragged Frederick inside and announced, "Hello, we're here to register our marriage."

The clerk was momentarily stunned. She almost thought Frederick was being forced into this. But upon closer inspection, she dismissed the idea.

How could such an elegant, affluent woman be interested in someone who seemed so destitute?

Their marriage registration was completed in just ten minutes.

Still in a daze, Frederick wondered...

Had he just gotten married?

To Jennifer, his superior whom he had only met today?

Turning to Frederick with a raised eyebrow, Jennifer asked, "Aren't you curious why I did this?"

Frederick was utterly exasperated. "Ms. York, I've been asking you that all along. You're the one who hasn't answered me!"

Jennifer was momentarily speechless. Reflecting on it, he was right. She redirected the conversation and said, "I had you pose as my fiance to evade an arranged marriage with Hugh Lambert, the heir of the Tiger Faction.

"But my family is not easily fooled. They'll get someone to follow me and go to great lengths to expose me!

"So, you have to continue playing this role convincingly!"

Without waiting for Frederick's response, Jennifer drove him to a villa located in the outskirts.

With a stern expression, Jennifer declared, "This is my residence. You'll need to stay here at least three times a week to make my family believe that our relationship is real."

Pointing upwards, she continued, "I'll be on the second floor. You're strictly forbidden from entering or even peeking. Otherwise..."

She left the threat hanging.

Seeing Jennifer about to head inside, Frederick couldn't hold back any longer.

"Ms. York, where am I supposed to stay then?"

Jennifer responded indifferently, "With such a spacious ground floor, can't you find a couch to crash on?"

"..."

Frederick's thoughts raced. If he were still as hot-tempered as before, he would have definitely pinned her down in a fit of rage and...!

"Or perhaps the storage room on the ground floor might do after some tidying up."

Jennifer smiled mockingly.

"Frederick, remember, you're my employee. You should follow your superior's arrangements!"

She was using the power dynamics to force him into a corner, huh?

Frederick sighed in resignation. Today was not his day, especially with what had happened with Jennifer at the office.

By evening, he managed to clean up the storage room and transformed it into a makeshift bedroom for himself.

Suddenly, a swift dark shadow passed right before his eyes!

It was as quick as lightning!

Frederick's heart raced, his eyes widening in alarm.

"Who's there?!"

Could someone be trying to kill Jennifer?