3. Farewell

Saul gritted his teeth and signaled to his people to back off. “We will transact inside.” He looked directly into Robin's eyes.

“Good choice.”

Robin instructed his men to lead Rose onto the helicopter. Other helicopters were also deployed to transfer the women Robin ordered.

Soon afterwards, Saul and Robin emerged from the building. Now, the big boss appears to be happier than before. Who wouldn't be delighted to get that much money?

As Robin entered the same helicopter as Rose, he asked, “You can read, right?”

Rose was kidnapped when she was eighteen. To be more exact, after her high school graduation. Of course, she can read and write.

Rose, on the other hand, wasn't even offended that she was perceived as uneducated. She was still perplexed and horrified by the situation that had just happened.

“I can,” Rose replied softly.

“Read this.” Robin handed her a yellow map. Rose instantly followed his orders without saying anything.

Rose's new identification documents can be seen on the map. Her name, date of birth, school, and other information are all listed.

“From now on, your name is Poppy.”

Rose looked surprised when Robin mentioned her new name. When their gazes met, she swiftly lowered her head. She became increasingly nervous since their seats were too close together.

“Remember, you've never set foot on this island. You're just an ordinary woman who married me,” Robin warned.

Robin's expression became sharper. His once-peaceful eyes had turned as sharp as a razor, ready to pierce anyone's defenses. The furrowed line between his brows made his face appear even more menacing. Rose's breath froze in her throat as she glanced at his face.

“I don't like waiting for people to answer my words, let alone having to repeat them twice.” Robin's voice was quiet yet full of pressure, like embers waiting to ignite at any moment.

“I—I understand, sir...” She responded in a voice that sounded almost like a whisper, as if in a last desperate effort to break the menacing silence.

“Robin. You should get used to calling my name.”

Rose could feel her heart pounding quickly. Robin appeared to be softer toward her.

When the helicopter went away, her imagination of him came to an end. As the helicopter began to depart, she bowed her head and stared out the window at the view of Solterra Island from above.

“Goodbye, Rose, and everything that has happened to me all this time.”

Tears fell down her cheeks as the island faded from view. Her chest is full of emotions. She felt as if she had been released from prison. She was relieved, joyful, and looking forward to a better future.

***

Poppy wasn't expecting to be whisked away directly to Robin's mansion. The atmosphere in the mansion, which has European classical architecture, is serene and cool. She stood awkwardly, feeling small against the tall walls adorned with antique paintings and elegant furnishings.

Robin Luciano, a man with an authoritative posture and an icy demeanor, stood near a large curved stairway. His keen eyes observed Poppy from a distance, yet his facial expression was unreadable.

“You're free to do whatever you want here. But remember, never go to the third floor.”Robin only spoke those two things that night, in an authoritative tone with absolutely no room for negotiation.

Robin's room and private workplace are on the third floor. He set a clear restriction for Poppy right away. She could only nod softly and didn't ask any more questions.

That night, Poppy ate her meal in the stunning dining room, accompanied by the quiet clinking sound of cutlery and infrequent maid footfall. However, one thing seems strange: Robin is nowhere to be seen.

Antonio takes care of all of the needs.

The next morning ...

Antonio knocked on Poppy's bedroom door quietly, just as the sun was shining. “Miss Poppy, Mr. Robin has asked you to come to his office this morning,” he said politely.

Poppy prepared right away and followed Antonio to the workplace on the first floor. Robin was sitting behind his desk with a stack of documents in front of him as soon as the door opened. The sound of the wall clock could be slightly heard in a room filled with the smell of wood and old books.

“Sit,” Robin said briefly, pointing to the sofa in the corner of the room. Poppy obeyed, sitting anxiously on the plush sofa and watching Robin get up from his chair.

Robin retrieved a document from his desk and walked over to Poppy. Without saying much, he handed her the document.

“Read,” he said in a bland tone, then sat down on the sofa facing her.

Poppy opened the document hesitantly. Her eyes widened when she read the text swiftly.

Marriage Certificate!

“This... are we married?” She asked in a whispery tone, still unable to believe it.

Robin nodded. “Everything has been taken care of. Our marriage is legally valid with your new identity as of today,” he stated without any further explanation.

Poppy was stunned. She knew Robin was a powerful man, but she wasn't expecting everything to be solved quickly. She gazed at the document with a mixture of disbelief, confusion, and fear of the man in front of him.

“You don't need to worry,” Robin added, his voice getting softer but still chilly. “All of this is done to uphold the terms of our agreement. Your new identity will protect you, and you will now be known as my wife, at least on paper.”

Poppy nodded slowly. She gripped the document tightly, conscious that in an instant her life had changed drastically.