However, Stan noticed Rea blushing and moved his lips closer to her ear to tease her. "It's fine—I agreed to help anyway, so I'll help deceive them. That said, this isn't a permanent solution, since you can fool them once, but not all the time.""Of course I know," Rea said, looking everywhere but Stan's face.Still, she had already thought about that on her way to Stan.She would first ask him to pretend to be her boyfriend to stop them from bugging her, and then tell them it was a long-distance relationship when Stan returned to Franconia.That would keep her parents satisfied for a while, and she could use the time to find someone who suited her.If she did, she could tell her parents she broke up with Stan and found a new lover.At the very least, they would not be breathing down her neck about marriage."Don't worry. I'm in your hands." "Hey, you said it, not me," Stan said, able to smell her nice perfume while his eyes stayed unwittingly fixed on her thin neck from up cl

Rea was left gaping at Stan—this man was such a bitch, complaining to her parents!And he was the one bullying her!Having had enough, she snapped, "You call yourself a man?!"He was pouting like a wounded wife but also afraid to speak.Mr. Fowler snapped at Rea right then, "What are you saying?! I've really spoiled you so much that you don't understand when it's too much. Apologize to Stan now!"Rea's cheeks were flushed. "He's bullying me.""How? The way I see it, you're the one throwing a fit," Mr. Fowler said. "Apologize to him!""No!" Rea refused stubbornly.She never apologized to anyone and was certainly not going to do it to a man who framed her!"Stan Hill!" she snapped, her chest heaving. "How despicable can you get?!"Stan promptly cringed dramatically. "No, no, you don't have to apologize. I'm used to it—don't get upset with her, Mr. and Mrs. Fowler."Mr. Fowler glared at Rea. "We'll speak later. Let's go downstairs, Stan."Stan nodded.As Stan left, Mr. Fowler

Even after a moment, the savory taste still lingered—even someone uneducated in tea like Stan knew that the tea was good.Turning toward Mr. Fowler, he said, "Thank you for your hospitality, sir."Mr. Fowler waved him off, "Oh, a cup of tea is really nothing. You can have everything I have when you become my son-in-law.""Dad." Rea pouted. "Could you stop talking about that? Aren't you worried about scaring him away?""Fine, my bad." Mr. Fowler chuckled.Rea wrapped her hands around his arm and leaned on his shoulder. "So, who won?""I lost," Stan said. "No, we played two games," Mr. Fowler smiled. "And we're even."Stan, however, could see what was going on. "You're letting me win, or I wouldn't have taken the first round.""No, you're good enough." Mr. Fowler nodded in acknowledgement. "Youngsters these days don't even know how to play chess."Then, turning to Rea, he said, "Why don't you go on a stroll in the back garden with Stan? I'm quite proud of it." He was clearly

"I get it," Stan replied quietly. "I wouldn't have been upset even if you didn't explain yourself. But since you did, I forgive you."Rea's brow creased as she pursed her lips. "See? I knew it. We really shouldn't be too nice to you."While Stan was speechless, Mrs. Fowler was enthusiastically putting food on Stan's plate. "This is our family's favorite dish. Try it."Stan nodded after a bite. "It's good."Mrs. Fowler smiled, while Mr. Fowler poured him a glass of wine. "Can you hold your liquor?"Stan smiled. "More or less.""You're being humble now." Mr. Fowler smiled at him. "You're definitely a good drinker.""A little."Rea had enough right then. "Dad, Stan has work to do, and he has to return to Franconia tomorrow. You're going to make things difficult for him."Mr. Fowler smiled awkwardly. "Right…" "You think?" Rea huffed, snatching his wine away. "Everyone only gets to have one glass."Mr. Fowler glared at Rea. "Party pooper."Rea shrugged. "I'm doing this for your

Mrs. Fowler smacked her daughter, but while Rea thought she was angry, she said instead, "Just do your best."Rea's mind was blown—were her parents bewitched? They were completely different from before! A long time ago, her parents had used to tell her that she did not have to marry as long as she was happy.But later on, they had persistently sent her on blind dates… and now, they were telling her to seduce a man?Touching her mother's forehead, Rea asked, "Are you sick?"Mrs. Fowler slapped her hand off. "Your dad and I are leaving now.""Yeah." Mr. Fowler nodded. "The chauffeur is waiting."Rea walked them to the door and watched as their car left before returning inside.She did not go upstairs since Stan was asleep, and she would be bored—she was the type who just could not sit still.However, it was inappropriate if she left since that would leave nobody home.In her boredom, she thought of pranking Stan. She headed upstairs to find him asleep, and soundly at that.Ca