Chapter 3

Vivian's POV

In modern society, women could, of course, be independent.

But without strong financial resources and connections, it was not easy for a woman to quickly move on from a divorce. My parents died when I was eight, and I was taken in by Uncle Frankie and Aunt Edith.

To me, that so-called "family home" was nothing but a place of heartbreak.

Back then, Uncle Frankie and Aunt Edith schemed to swallow up half of the inheritance my parents left me.

I never want anything to do with them again.

So instead of going straight to the courthouse to finalize the divorce—even though the papers were already signed—I decided to visit Megan first.

Megan Archer was my late mother's best friend and an incredibly influential person in the business world.

Megan had helped me get my first few projects off the ground.

"Did you and Caleb sign the divorce papers?" Megan went straight to the point.

For some reason, when Caleb signed the divorce papers without a second thought, I didn't shed a tear.

I remained dry-eyed even as I left that so-called "home" all alone with my luggage.

But the moment Megan asked me that simple, caring question, tears just started falling.

"There, there, sweetheart. Don't cry. The divorce is for the best. It really is for the best." Megan pulled me into her embrace. "Everyone in the city knows about that bastard's affair."

Quietly, I rested my head on Megan's shoulder and gently wiped away my tears.

"Now that you've decided on the divorce, what's your next move?" Megan asked.

Truth be told, I rarely air my grievances to Megan.

Be it the sufferings I endured at Uncle Frankie and Aunt Edith's house back then, or the disappointments I experienced after marrying Caleb.

Megan was always swamped with work. I didn't want to add to her worries.

But this time, I finally opened up to her about everything I'd been going through.

I sat up solemnly and said, "Before I can be truly independent, or find a suitable... well, partner, I might need your help to navigate things for me, Megan.

"If Uncle Frankie and Aunt Edith—"

"Are you looking to start a new relationship?" Megan asked perceptively.

I nodded. If I had to go back to Uncle Frankie and Aunt Edith's place, I'd rather choose a marriage of convenience.

But this time, I wouldn't fall in love. There would be no emotional investment or quest for undying love.

All I wanted was stability and mutual benefit.

Megan's eyes lit up, as if she'd seen right through me. "Stability? Mutual benefit? Well, as it happens, I have just the perfect candidate for you."

She was referring to her nephew, Louis Carey, a mysterious Johnny-come-lately tech magnate who kept a low profile.

Louis was a child prodigy who reportedly achieved financial independence by the age of twenty.

The only "problem" was that, at nearly thirty years old, he hadn't even had a girlfriend, let alone gotten married. But compared to his staggering wealth and genius-level IQ, this so-called issue was utterly insignificant.

Megan let out a sigh.

"You have no idea that he... he..." she began.

Then, she leaned over and whispered something in my ear. Realization instantly dawned on me.

Rumor had it that Louis seemed to have absolutely no interest in the opposite gender.

But I never expected things to move this fast.

I'd only just agreed with Megan to meet Louis sometime and see if we'd be a good fit.

Yet, the very next day, I heard he'd caught the red-eye from Gishwick.

And by the early morning of the third day, he was already standing at my apartment door.

I'd actually heard some rumors about him.

Others claimed that he was a tech geek who was socially awkward and emotionally distant.

But the man standing before me wore a crisp white casual shirt, looking refreshingly clean-cut.

At that moment, he was holding... a tablet?

Pointing at the weather forecast on the screen, Louis said, "I observed that for today, humidity is at 65% and UV index is low. It's suitable for..."

He cleared his throat, as if realizing this wasn't quite right. After setting the tablet down, he continued, "Anyway, the weather is pleasant today. It's ideal for discussing matters."

His actions nearly made me laugh.

So the rumored aloof tycoon turns out to be kind of... adorkable?

And he seemed worried that I'd reject his "deal."

"Mr. Carey, please make yourself comfortable," I said.

I invited him in. "Megan has already briefed me on your situation, so feel free to speak your mind."

I was ready for him to lay out all sorts of terms.

But I never expected him to be this blunt.

"Did Aunt Megan brief you on everything?" Louis verified.

I nodded.

He took a deep breath and opened his briefcase.

Taking out a stack of documents, he explained, "Here is the complete list of my major assets and the business ownership chart. You may appoint a professional team for joint management after we get married.

"These are my personal bank accounts and investment portfolio. You'll have full access and control over them, too.

"And these are..."

He pulled out another document. "These are the divorce papers. I've already signed them. If you ever feel uncomfortable at any point in our marriage, you can use them to regain your freedom at any time. All assets transferred to you as part of the postnuptial agreement will remain entirely yours."

"Ms. Blaese," he called out to me.

Without pausing for breath, he slid the thick stack of documents across the table toward me.

"Please consider marrying me," he continued.