"We are pulling out of the Diamond agreement." His assistant went into a stupor. Xavier had put in a lot of effort to close the deal, and he was well aware of the significance the deal held for him. It felt like a dream when his assistant got the news that he was quitting the deal. He made a gesture to clear his throat.
"Sir, you have put in a lot of effort to secure this deal."
"Trust me, we are pulling out. Go pick Olivia up at the airport." Caleb froze, and his heart sank as he heard Mr. Knight's request. He couldn't believe that after just getting married, his boss would ask him to go pick up his girlfriend from the airport. What was Mrs. Knight thinking? Wasn't she supposed to be staying at her husband's house now? Where will the girlfriend stay? Caleb couldn't imagine how awkward and uncomfortable the situation would be with another woman in the household. He grumbled under his breath, dreading the task of picking up Olivia, whom he had always disliked. It seemed like his workplace drama was only getting more complicated by the minute.
"Of course. and Sir, you are supposed to be at the Civil Affairs Bureau at 11:00 a. m." Xavier's face twisted in a scowl as he looked at his watch, clearly annoyed by the reminder of his upcoming obligations.
Meanwhile, Cathleen's feet clicked rhythmically against the stone steps of the Civil Affairs Bureau as she paced back and forth. She glanced at her phone, checking the time for what felt like the hundredth time. Today was the day she would be registering her marriage with the man she had hastily married on Saturday at the insistence of Old Mr. Knight. But neither of them wanted to be married, and Cathleen couldn't understand the need for this registration. Anxiety churned in her stomach as she waited for her husband to arrive. She didn't see the need to register this marriage, as none of them wanted to be married.
As the blazing sun beat down on her skin, Cathleen hurried to her car and slumped into the driver's seat. She anxiously awaited her husband's return, feeling the weight of her broken life pressing in on her. As she gazed out at the barren landscape, tears streamed down her face in a torrential downpour, matching the intensity of the scorching heat. Her sobs echoed through the empty car, a painful reminder of how alone she truly was. The only family she had left was her father, but now even he seemed distant and unreachable. At this moment, she felt completely isolated and abandoned by those she loved most. She is all by herself.
Her husband was supposed to be her everything, the only family she had left. But now, he was just going to be a stranger on paper. Finn's betrayal cut deeper than any knife ever could, slicing through her heart and shattering her trust in an instant. Cathleen's love for Finn blinded her to the truth, leaving her vulnerable and naive while he was secretly sleeping with her own stepsister. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she closed her eyes, trying to mask the pain and anger that threatened to consume her while she waited for her supposed husband.
A towering figure emerged from a flashy sports car, his long legs stretching out to meet the pavement of the parking lot. The sunlight seemed to caress his angular features, bringing out the sharp angles of his jawline and cheekbones. Despite his stoic and noble demeanor, there was something about Xavier that hinted at a wildness lurking just beneath the surface. He took a moment to scan the area before glancing down at the watch on his wrist, clearly in a hurry. Just as he was about to turn and leave, a familiar figure caught his eye. It was Cathleen, the woman he had briefly met on Saturday. As she made her way towards him with purposeful strides, Xavier couldn't help but admire her air of confidence and competence. Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders in loose waves, and her eyes sparkled with determination. This was not a woman to be underestimated.
Her facial features were strikingly exquisite, with sharp angles and delicate curves that seemed to create a perfect balance. A hint of stubbornness shone from within her depths like a sudden burst of lightning in her dark, serene eyes. She stood before him, dressed impeccably and exuding an air of sophistication and grace. Her milky skin was as flawless as porcelain, giving off a radiant glow that was impossible to ignore. It was hard to believe that she could be anything less than a model or a princess. As Xavier took in her appearance, he couldn't help but wonder about the woman behind the beauty. He wanted to see how she would react to his presence, eager to uncover more layers of this mysterious creature before him.
"Mrs. Knight." He offered a greeting, but Cathleen's cold stare pierced him like daggers. She rolled her eyes with disdain, giving Xavier the impression that she couldn't care less and just wanted to get it over with.
"Mr. Knight." She glanced at her wristwatch, her eyes flickering with impatience. Xavier couldn't help but wonder where she was rushing off to this early in the morning. As she replied to him, she fidgeted with the strap of her bag and shifted her weight from foot to foot, hinting at her eagerness to leave.
"Listen, wife, this sham of marriage will last for 2 years. After that, we go our separate ways." Xavier said, staring down at his impatient little wife.
"6 months," Cathleen's words cut through the air like a knife, leaving Xavier reeling in shock. He had always heard rumors of her being a money-hungry social climber, but to hear it confirmed so bluntly was a blow to his ego. She desired the richest man in town, and as far as he knew, he was that man. So why, then, did she want to marry him after only 6 months? Wasn't she supposed to play the long game, securing a contract for 5 or even 10 years? Xavier was left speechless, unable to agree or disagree with her ruthless pursuit of wealth and status. After all, she is a Jackson.
Xavier and Cathleen arrived at the county clerk's office, filling out paperwork side-by-side. The clerk handed them their marriage certificates with a friendly smile, and they stepped outside into the warm sunlight. Cathleen glanced at her watch, then looked lovingly at Xavier as she slipped the certificate into her purse.
"Well, Mr. Knight, see you around." She said that and rushed to a car, and Xavier saw her wearing a long black gown. He didn't get to see everything but didn't miss the speed at which the car left the Civil Affairs Bureau.