Chapter 4

The entire room fell silent after Winston's mocking words. It was as if even the air had stopped moving. For a moment, I couldn't even breathe. No one reacted immediately. Even the lawyer and the household staff exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared to say a word.

I couldn't speak either. Not because I was hurt. But because I couldn't believe someone could judge another person after only a few seconds.

"Mr. Domingo." Attorney Castillo's calm voice finally broke the silence. "I don't think that was necessary."

Winston didn't even look at him. His eyes remained fixed on me, as if I were nothing more than one big mistake standing in front of him.

"I simply stated a fact."

"She's not what my grandfather described."

I folded my arms across my chest.

Why? What exactly did his grandfather say? That I was beautiful? Well... I am beautiful. What else was he expecting?

"And let me make this clear." His voice turned even colder. "I have absolutely no intention of marrying that woman."

That was it. I have been patient since I arrived. I had been swallowing every insult. But even my patience had its limits. A smile slowly spread across my face. Not an embarrassed smile. Not a polite one.

It was the kind of smile that came with a warning.

He better not push me. Because if he thinks he's difficult... I'm worse.

"You know..." He looked at me. "Good."

One of his eyebrows lifted slightly. He probably hadn't expected me to answer back.

"Because I don't have any plans to marry a man whose attitude is worse than my hair."

Several maids gasped. One of them even covered her mouth in shock. Well… That's just who I am. I don't care how rich someone is. If they deserve to be called out, I'll call them out. Winston continued staring at me without saying a word.

So I kept going.

"At least my hair can be brushed." I smiled sweetly. "But your attitude?" I slowly shook my head. "I don't think even ten hairbrushes could fix that."

His expression hardened.

Did I hit a nerve?

"Excuse me?" I nodded.

"You heard me. You insult people as if you're perfect." I looked him up and down. "I'll admit… That's a nice suit."

Then I smiled again.

"But it's a shame that respect isn't something money can buy."

The room became even quieter. Even Attorney Castillo blinked in surprise after hearing everything I had just said. Little by little, Winston's expression changed. A moment ago, there had only been contempt in his eyes.

Now, there was something else. Curiosity. Maybe he was realizing that, for the first time in his life… Someone wasn't afraid of him.

"Interesting," he murmured.

I frowned. "What's so interesting about that?"

"You're either brave..." He took one slow step toward me. "...or unbelievably foolish."

I didn't move. No way. I'm not backing down.

"Me?" I smiled confidently. "I'd rather call myself honest." I tilted my head. "You just seem used to people never talking back to you."

Once again, our eyes locked. An unexplainable tension filled the space between us. Neither of us wanted to lose. Neither of us was willing to back down.

"Enough." Attorney Castillo spoke again.

Our attention shifted toward him as he adjusted his glasses before continuing.

"The guest room has already been prepared for Miss Guanzon." 

I turned toward him. "The guest room?"

"Yes."  Attorney Castillo looked directly at the billionaire with a terrible attitude. "She'll be staying here."

"What?" Winston and I spoke at exactly the same time.

"No." His answer was immediate. "She is not staying in this house."

At the same time, I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Attorney but I'm not staying here either."

Attorney Castillo quietly closed the folder in his hands.

"I expected this reaction."

His voice remained calm despite the obvious headache the two of us were giving him.

"But this was Don Alejandro's first condition."

Winston frowned. "What condition?"

"The two of you must live under the same roof while deciding whether or not to proceed with the marriage."

"What?!" Once again, Winston and I shouted at the same time.

"Impossible." His voice was firm. "That will never happen."

I immediately nodded. Of course. If he wasn't agreeing to it, neither was I.

"He's right."

"I'm not agreeing to that either."

Attorney Castillo somehow remained composed, even though it was obvious we were testing every ounce of his patience.

"You don't have to get married."

"You don't even have to like each other."

"But you must honor Don Alejandro's final request." He looked at both of us. "Live together."

"Get to know each other."

"And only then make your decision."

Silence filled the room again. I could already feel a headache coming.

I've only been in Manila for one day and I already want to go home.

Attorney Castillo took a deep breath.

"If you'll excuse me..."

"I'll have one of the staff show Miss Guanzon to her room." 

One of the maids stepped forward. "This way, Ma'am."

I let out a helpless sigh. "So, I really don't have a choice?"

"I'm afraid not."

I simply shook my head before following the maid. As we walked through the long hallway on the second floor, I couldn't help looking around. The mansion was enormous. It felt like every single door held its own story.

Finally, the maid stopped in front of one of the doors.

"This is your room, Ma'am."

She opened the white door. I gasped. The guest room was bigger than our entire house back in the province.

It had a king-sized bed. A walk-in closet. Even its own sitting area. I hadn't even stepped inside completely when the door next to mine suddenly opened.

Winston walked out, still wearing the same irritated expression.

Unfortunately, our eyes met. He looked at my bedroom door. Then on his own.

Slowly, he turned toward Attorney Castillo.

"Don't tell me." 

The lawyer gave him a small smile.

"Yes." He nodded calmly. "Your rooms are next to each other."

My eyes widened. "What?"

Meanwhile, Winston closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, as if he were trying very hard not to lose his temper.

"This..." He let out a long, frustrated sigh. "...is going to be a very long week."