Chapter 39: Welcoming the Korean President and His Wife

Cora froze, curling under the blanket like a startled kitten.

“I’m fine,” she mumbled. “You should go. Don’t stay out too late.”

Julian’s expression flickered—just briefly—with disappointment. But he only said, “Alright. Sleep early.”

And then he was gone.

Cora waited until she heard the car pull away before slipping out of bed. She padded to the window and peeked through the curtain just in time to see Austin driving him off into the night.

“So dressed up at this hour?” she muttered. “That ‘want to come with me’—yeah right, just being polite.”

Still, she felt oddly restless.

By the time she finally drifted to sleep, it was past midnight.

And sometime in the middle of the night, that familiar “human heater” returned to the bed.

Mrs. Zhang really thinks of everything, she thought sleepily. Must’ve known I’d feel cold tonight.

⸻

The next morning, she came downstairs just as Austin was speaking to Mrs. Zhang.

“Mr. Watson asked me to deliver this,” he said, handing her a square velvet box. “He called after midnight—said he’d won it at auction. Something he couldn’t leave without.”

Inside was a necklace—a delicate ring-shaped pendant encircled with diamonds, catching the light with a soft, ocean-blue shimmer.

Mrs. Zhang’s smile deepened. “So it was for the young madam.”

Cora, half-hidden behind the doorway, froze.

He went to a midnight auction? For this?

A warmth she didn’t quite understand spread through her chest.

⸻

Saturday arrived faster than she expected—the day of the Korean delegation’s visit.

The entire Watson household was calm and efficient. The only one in chaos was Cora.

“Slow down, ma’am, there’s time!” Mrs. Zhang soothed, replacing the heavy silverware with a simple glass of milk.

“Don’t move your hands, please!” the nail technician begged from the floor.

“This is ridiculous,” Cora sighed. “Do I really need my nails done?”

“Of course! They have to match the jewelry,” the technician said breathlessly. “These diamonds—my god, I’ve never seen anything like them!”

Cora nearly groaned. If she’d known the matching manicure was part of the deal, she would’ve chosen anything but this set.

And to make matters worse, the welcome ceremony wasn’t even being held on their home turf but in Linzhou—another region entirely.

Why there? There’s an airport here too! she thought miserably.

By the time Julian came downstairs, the house looked like a backstage war zone—stylists, manicurists, assistants, everyone circling Cora as though she were an actress on opening night.

“I’m almost done!” she called without looking up, waving her freshly polished hand.

Julian checked his watch. “We’re out of time. Finish in the car.”

At his word, the entire team moved as one.

Cora was whisked into the car, stylists climbing in after her with brushes and files in hand.

“Is this really necessary?” she protested weakly.

Even her shoes were designer-made maternity heels—comfortable, discreet, and absurdly expensive. She didn’t feel like herself anymore.

“Julian,” she said helplessly, “can we not go this overboard?”

He didn’t look up from his tablet. “Looking sloppy isn’t an option. The president and his wife deserve proper respect.”

“But I’m not used to this…” she murmured, giving him her best wide-eyed plea.

He finally looked up—and his lips curved slightly. That face could have launched ten endorsement deals.

“Fine,” he said at last.

Cora brightened immediately. She started to remove the diamond necklace but hesitated. It was stunning. After a second of indecision, she kept it on—just the necklace and earrings.

Julian lowered the tablet, watching as she undid her elaborate hair and quickly braided it into a loose fishtail braid. The simple style framed her face softly—less formal, more endearing.

Then she found a pair of matching watches in the jewelry case—clearly designed as a couple’s set. The feminine one suited her outfit perfectly, but she struggled with the clasp.

“Wrist,” Julian said from above her.

She startled, tilting her head up to find him towering over her, impossibly close.

He took her wrist gently and fastened the clasp himself. Then, without a word, removed his own watch, tossed it aside, and held out his hand.

Her eyes widened. He wants me to put the matching one on him?

Right. Today, they were supposed to play the perfect married couple. Matching watches made sense.

She fumbled with the clasp, fingers brushing the inside of his wrist—warm, firm, steady.

He didn’t move. In fact, he looked almost amused by her clumsy effort.

When it was finally secure, he lifted their hands side by side, comparing them. “Not bad,” he murmured.

Cora felt her ears heat. He’s really taking this act seriously. She wasn’t sure she could.

Then came the click.

Julian had taken a picture—their wrists, side by side, the watches gleaming.

“From this moment,” he said, his voice cool and precise, “we’re a loving couple. Don’t mess it up. There’s a few hundred billion on the line.”

Cora forced a smile. Don’t worry. I won’t ruin your deal, she thought silently.

Julian didn’t hesitate; he uploaded the photo straight to his Instagram.

⸻

By the time they reached Linzhou, Cora was speechless.

The Watson Group towered above the skyline like a monument, the golden letters on its facade glinting in the sunlight.

She craned her neck until it ached, unable to see the top. How high does it go?

The Watson butler was already waiting outside.

“Master Julian, madam,” he greeted with a bow.

Julian nodded, walking ahead with his usual composed stride.

Cora stood frozen on the sidewalk, still trying to process it all—the jewelry, the photos, the billion-dollar stakes—and the fact that somewhere in all this, she was expected to act like she belonged.