I got the money back!

Claire's heart sank completely.

She stared blankly at Ethan.

Her mouth felt as though it had been sealed shut; not a single word could escape.

How did Ethan find out about the blind date?

Oh no.

He had even called her by her full name.

That meant he was truly furious.

“Claire Bennett, " he said coldly, “which one is the real you? What exactly do you want?”

Claire secretly pinched her thigh hard.

The sharp pain instantly brought tears to her eyes.

She grabbed Ethan's arm and looked up at him pitifully.

“Honey, my mom forced me to go. I only went to appease her. But don't worry, I have absolutely no interest in those blind dates.”

“Is that so?”

Ethan's expression remained indifferent.

“Of course," Claire said quickly.

“My heart and my eyes are only for you. I can't tolerate anyone else.”

“In our current situation, if I tell my parents the truth, they'll be furious and force us to divorce.”

“I had no choice but to go on those blind dates to placate my mom. It's only a delaying tactic. Once things improve for us, we'll tell my parents, and by then they won’t oppose us.”

Her voice sounded sincere and earnest.

With a few clever words, she subtly shifted the guilt onto Ethan, making it harder for him to blame her.

And sure enough Ethan did feel a trace of guilt.

He looked at Claire silently for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

Claire raised a hand and wiped away tears that barely existed.

“Husband, don't you believe my sincerity? Then I can only prove it with my death.”

She glanced around dramatically. “Is there a river nearby?”

As she spoke, she turned as if ready to leave.

Ethan immediately grabbed her and pulled her back into his arms.

“Stop it."

Claire looked up.

Her delicate face was beautiful, her almond-shaped eyes glistening with tears as she gazed at him.

“Husband... do you believe me now?”

Ethan remained silent for a moment before finally nodding.

“Yes.

“You're not angry anymore?”

“You should've told me sooner.”

“I was afraid you'd misunderstand.”

Claire paused before asking carefully, “By the way... how did you find out?”

“Kyle saw it."

Claire : “...”

It seemed you really couldn't do bad things because an acquaintance might witness it at any moment.

Ethan reached out, pinched her chin, and lifted her face slightly.

“No matter the reason, you're not allowed to go on blind dates anymore.”

Claire leaned into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist as she looked up at him.

“My mom will pressure me.”

“Then tell her about us," Ethan said in a low voice.

“But...”

“Claire," he interrupted, “are you planning to keep going on blind dates while you're married?”

"No, I... fine. I'll refuse my mom. And if I really can't deal with it, I'll tell her the truth.”

Ethan's expression softened slightly.

Claire rested her cheek against his chest.

Strangely enough, the restless emotions that had been weighing on her these past two days gradually calmed down.

She glanced at their overlapping shadows stretching across the ground and felt slightly dazed.

Right now, they looked so intimate just like a real married couple.

Ethan checked the time before gently releasing her.

"I’ll take you home.”

“No...okay. Thank you, honey."

Claire had initially wanted to refuse.

But she had just finished appeasing him. Rejecting him now wouldn't be wise.

—

Ethan escorted Claire to her apartment building before catching the last subway train.

As soon as Claire stepped inside, her Mom rushed over, immediately complaining about the matchmaking agency.

“It's infuriating! I argued with them all day. My throat is hoarse! I swear, if they don't refund my money, I'll call the police!”

Claire removed her coat and hung it up before turning around to encourage her.

“Mom, keep fighting.”

Roseline snorted. “Your uncle knows a lawyer. I'll ask him about it later.”

Then she suddenly frowned.

“By the way, isn't your company being unreasonable? Why are they making a girl like you work so late?”

Claire pulled out a chair, poured herself a glass of water, and took a few sips.

“Mom, the company won't give me special treatment just because I’m a girl. Everyone works overtime.”

Roseline frowned even more deeply.

“Then you should hurry up and find a good man to marry. After you get married, have children and focus on the family. Don't keep doing this kind of job.”

Claire hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously.

“I actually know a pretty good man.”

Roseline immediately perked up.

“Really?”

“Yes, but...”

“But what?”

“He's currently starting a business, so he doesn't have much money yet. But he's ambitious and capable. I believe he’ll achieve something.”

“Forget it,” Roseline said immediately. “Don't even think about someone like that."

“These days, nine out of ten startups fail. Even if he really has ability, who knows how long it will take? Can you afford to wait?”

“Yes, I can!” Claire replied firmly.

She wouldn't have to wait long anyway.

In less than a year, Ethan would be acknowledged by a wealthy family.

And by then she would become a rich woman.

Roseline waved her hand dismissively.

“Don't be naive. People like that are the most unreliable. Don't listen to empty promises. If someone like that becomes successful, the first thing he'll do is abandon his sweetheart.”

Claire :“...”

After a moment of silence, she muttered helplessly, “Mom, you've been reading too much toxic motivational content online.”

“That's because there are countless examples online!”

“Alright, alright,” Claire said, waving her hand. “I was just

mentioning it casually. Don't force me to listen to those toxic stories."

She didn't need them.

She was simply waiting for Ethan to become the prince of the

Bellmont elite and then “kill” her.

Claire went to take a shower.

…

Roseline sat there quietly, deep in thought.

She wasn't entirely sure whether her daughter had a boyfriend.

But it was obvious that some man had his eye on her daughter.

And that man was poor.

Still, she trusted Claire.

After all, she had raised this daughter herself.

They shared the same dream which was to marry into a wealthy family.

So her daughter would never choose a poor man like that.

—

The next morning.

Ethan took the clothes out of the bag, preparing to change.

But when he checked the bag, he realized there were no underwear or socks.

Had Claire forgotten them?

Without thinking much about it, he simply took a fresh pair from the box.

…

Over the next few days, Roseline continued arguing with the matchmaking agency.

Eventually, worn down by her relentless persistence, the agency refunded the money.

When Claire returned from work that evening, her Mom puffed up proudly like a victorious rooster.

“Claire! I got the money back! Every last cent! Aren't I amazing?”

Claire gave her a thumbs-up.

“Mom, you're incredible!”

For the first time, Claire found herself somewhat fond of Roseline 's fiery personality.

—

The next morning, Roseline received a call from Andrew Bennett’s teacher.

Andrew had gotten into a fight at school.

After hanging up, Roseline hurriedly urged Fernando to pack their things.

Claire stepped forward, hiding her excitement.

“Mom... can you stay a few more days?"

Roseline didn't even look up, continuing to pack hurriedly.

“Your brother, Andy, got into a fight. They said he made another kid bleed, and the parents are furious. We have to go back immediately."

Andrew Bennett was the original owner's younger brother, currently a senior in high school.

“Claire,” Roseline said while packing, “take good care of yourself while we’re gone.”

Claire helped them gather their luggage.

“Okay.”

She even bought their high-speed rail tickets with her phone.

Then she accompanied them to the roadside to hail a taxi.

Only after the car drove away did Claire slowly turn around.

Just then, her phone rang several times.

She took it out and saw that her Mom had transferred $10,000 to her.

A message followed.

[Keep the money. Buy yourself some good food and don't be stingy. And buy some nice clothes.]

Claire's eyes instantly filled with tears.