Chapter 3: Mutual Consent

Love?!

Well, indeed, they did spend the whole night together.

Vivien Eipstein lifted her face, blinked, and suddenly smiled, saying, "Alright, I'll follow President Fu's arrangements."

Hannah Eipstein and Vivien's mother were incredulous.

Raymond Grantham's knuckles were cracking.

Old Madam wasn't blind to the oddities and undercurrents here.

But now that things had come to this, the best course of action was to protect the Fu family's reputation and ensure the wedding went smoothly.

The old lady never expected that the usually cold and harsh Herbert Grantham would agree so readily to such a hasty marriage.

In the past, no matter how many potential partners she had introduced to him, he wouldn't even spare them a glance.

She almost thought he was still pining for that woman from a few years ago...

"Since you both are willing, let's proceed with the arrangements!" Old Lady Song's expression didn't soften; before leaving, she glared fiercely at the younger generation below.

Everyone had their own hidden motives, and no one could judge the others.

...

After the dramatic scene, everyone else dispersed.

In the room, only Herbert Grantham and Vivien Eipstein remained.

"President Fu, are you really going to marry me? I originally just wanted to spite Raymond Grantham, but I didn't expect to pick up such a handsome husband for free!"

Herbert Grantham's eyes were cold as he snorted and lifted her chin, "You have quite some nerve! To take revenge on that scumbag and his slut, you dared to use me?"

Vivien Eipstein's smile was bright and alluring, "I won't hide it from you, the first time I saw you, I craved your face..." She leaned in and kissed the corner of his lips, "And now, aren't you also willing?"

The coldness in Herbert Grantham's eyes didn't waver, but he tightened his grip on her chin, "I need to get married anyway, and I'm tired of the family's pressure. If Miss Ning happens to be the one, then I'll play along. But my bed isn't so easy to get into. Don't cry later..."

...

The storm caused by the incident didn't stop the wedding from proceeding.

Herbert Grantham simply changed into a suit and prepared to enter.

Before that, he received a call from his assistant, who had thoroughly investigated Vivien Eipstein's life in the neighboring city before she was taken back by the Eipstein family.

"Lived with her grandmother after her adoptive parents died?"

"Started dating at nineteen, and at twenty-one, the boy's mother broke them up, even causing a commotion at their school?"

"The neighbor's son was also infatuated with her, fought for her, and almost killed someone, ending up in jail?"

Listening to the information reported by his assistant, Herbert Grantham sneered.

Sure enough, a little vixen who knew how to seduce men from a young age!

"It seems my new wife is quite the experienced player."

The assistant hesitated, "President Fu, do you still want to marry Miss Ning?"

Herbert Grantham narrowed his eyes, holding the phone, his gaze deepening, "A little fox acts so brazenly because she lacks discipline. When she meets a hunter of equal skill, she'll naturally become obedient."

...

He rubbed the kiss mark on his neck, smiling ambiguously.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the groom lifted the bride's veil.

Their eyes met.

There was no tenderness or love in their gaze, only endless calculation and cunning.

As soon as the wedding ended, Herbert Grantham took Vivien Eipstein away from the venue.

When she passed by Raymond Grantham and Hannah Eipstein in a new backup wedding dress, she clearly saw Raymond Grantham's clenched teeth and dark face.

She pressed herself closer to Herbert Grantham, smiling even more brightly.

Back in the same room, on the same bed.

Herbert Grantham pinned Vivien Eipstein on the dark sheets, her writhing body like a fish out of water.

He was the butcher with a sharp knife, but instead of giving her a quick end, he would slowly torture her while she could still breathe.

"My beautiful wife, enjoy your wedding night."

Vivien Eipstein's eyes were wide and filled with tears, her innocent face belying her calculating mind.

Herbert Grantham found it both amusing and maddening. The large floor-to-ceiling window in the hotel room allowed the dim, flickering lights to flow in like waves.

The light and shadows danced over their intertwined bodies.

The atmosphere and sounds in the room became increasingly decadent and luxurious.

Vivien Eipstein, who had always been drawn to Herbert Grantham's face, now had the perfect excuse to act freely, and she cooperated fully.

Tsk, much more exciting than that coward Raymond Grantham!

The next day, when she woke up, it was already noon.

Vivien Eipstein was awakened by the sunlight, and Herbert Grantham was nowhere to be seen.

The assistant brought her the keys to a villa, a bank card, and a set of properly sized clothes, without saying anything else.

Vivien Eipstein didn't ask any questions and moved into Herbert Grantham's villa that afternoon.

For the next few days, she stayed alone, waiting for Herbert Grantham to return.

Instead, she saw news on the trending topics about her newlywed husband being involved in a scandalous party, surrounded by women.

When her phone rang, Vivien Eipstein was sitting on the sofa, biting into an apple and scrolling through her phone.

On the other end, Hannah Eipstein's voice was soft and pitying, "Sister, everyone in Ning City is talking about President Fu's scandal right after the wedding. You must be very sad. Mother told me to comfort you, as we are close sisters."