The sun's rays drifted into the room through the window blinds and landed on Hailey's fair face, pulling her out of sleep. Her eyelashes trembled as she struggled to adjust to the sudden light. Once she managed to get used to it and opened her eyes, she was shocked by what she saw. Right above her head, she found herself face to face with a clean-cut jaw and a pair of lips. Her head was resting on a toned and hard chest. Although stiff, she could hear the slow breathing underneath her ears, confirming that she was resting her head on a person. Hailey immediately flew out of bed like a hot potato, awed by the realization of what she had done. Sometime in the middle of the night, she had turned away from her side of the bed, along with the blanket, and landed on Nolan's side. She had even rested her head on his chest and held him like a pillow. She vaguely recalled waking up drowsily during the night, noticing that the pillow she rested her head on was a little hard, but she hadn't pai

‘Ha... He is,’ Hailey thought. ‘He was being very grumpy.’ But she shook her head with a smile instead. "No, he isn't. My stay here has been accommodating." "Hm. That's good. Where is Nolan?" Hailey was quiet for a moment, recalling how coldly she was ushered out just minutes ago. But she said, "I think he is in his bedroom. Maybe it would be best if you wait for him to come down?" When she said this, Max looked at her a little strangely. She couldn't tell why he looked at her that way, but she knew her words sounded a little ambiguous, as though she was the mistress of the house. "Ah, no... it's not like that. I just thought he might still be getting dressed." Actually, she was only worried that he would still be struggling to get himself into the wheelchair, and that Max would find him in such a position. She could imagine how embarrassing it would be for a proud man like Nolan. His teasing smile didn't go away; instead, it intensified. But thankfully, Hailey had thick skin an

The corners of Hailey's mouth and eyes twitched when she heard this. She clicked her tongue and contemplated. Anyway, she was going to get married regardless, as she had a deal with Nolan, but she didn't mind ripping this family of hers along with it. Moreover, she had not heard of the inheritance until she was about to die, and from Nolan. She wanted to test the waters and see Bernard's reaction. According to Nolan, her mother had made a condition regarding her share of the inheritance. Probably, she knew what kind of person her husband was and that Hailey might be fooled into giving up her inheritance to him when she was younger. So she left a condition that Hailey must be married and twenty years old before she could take it over. Hailey simply chuckled and replied, "I can get married to him if you want me to." She spoke so casually and unexpectedly that Bernard did not immediately catch her words. But when he did, he called out in disbelief, "You will?" Hailey shrugged in reply

Early the next morning, Hailey and Nolan set out for the Civil Bureau Office to obtain their marriage licenses. Despite Nolan's condition, it was a hassle for him, and Hailey tried to convince him to stay at home and let her handle it with his assistant. With the Rothschild influence, their physical presence wasn't necessary to get everything done and ready. However, Nolan insisted on being there to make it more meaningful for Hailey. He believed it wouldn't be respectful enough to obtain a marriage license without being present with her. Soon, a black Jaguar pulled up in front of the building, and the assistant opened the door. The two of them promptly entered the building. Due to Nolan's status, they bypassed the usual procedures and relied on his connections. The process went swiftly, and in no time, they were done. Half an hour later, Hailey and Nolan walked out of the building side by side, followed by the assistant. Hailey clutched a red-colored booklet in her hands, repeated

A week later... It was the first day back at the City Arts Institute. Hailey had applied after moving in with the Rothschild family, as per her agreement with Nolan when she signed the contract. Her enrollment application was already late, and she would have had to wait until the following year. However, Nolan offered to help, and before she knew it, she was given a chance to take the exam alone and she aced it. The Rothschild family was influential, and Nolan didn't hesitate to flaunt it. As it was mid-winter, Hailey was bundled up to combat the chilly weather. She wore a nude-colored long-sleeved top paired with pants. To complete her outfit, she wore nude ankle-high shoes and a black wool hat. Although Nolan had offered to have one of the drivers drop her off at the institute, she declined. The luxurious and ostentatious cars in the garage didn't appeal to her. Instead, she took the subway and then walked to the building. According to Nolan, she was to meet with the dean first be