Sentenced to Marriage by MadlainQ

Showt “I exclaimed, standing in front of the mirror as | was about to put on my evening gown.

In less than an hour, | was going to walk into the Langham Hotel as Aren’s plus one and drink champagne at the party celebrating the 20th anniversary of New Business Journal. Since the journal had been known for presenting innovative and emerging technologies, it was certain that the event was going to gather everyone in business who wasn't afraid to look into the future. And since in business, those who stay still are already two steps behind, it was obvious that the event would attract everyone who counted.

| took a deep breath and put on a fitted white dress with a V-neckline, deep just enough to expose my mesmerizing necklace but not overly expose my breasts. The gown was simple yet sexy; it underlined my thin waist and wrapped around my curvy hips, and the slit at the front was perfect to show off my legs embellished in Jimmy Choo heels. With my eyes emphasized with liner and mascara and my hair tied up in a neat bun, | was finally ready to show myself in front of my husband. He watchedwalking down the stairs, and | could see his grin widen.

“You easily outshine any diamond,” he said, holding the Tian Kong necklace.

I chuckled. “I doubt that. | bet that everyone who tries to talk tois going to stare at my neck instead of my eyes.” “I'd rather they stare at your neck than at those two beauties a little lower.” He smirked and walked towardto helpput on the necklace.

It felt much heavier than before, but | guessed it was my anxiety that added weight to it.

“I have something more for you,” Aren said, pulling out a small jewelry box from his pocket. There was a pair of diamond drop earrings that went perfectly with the necklace’s style.

Once | put them on, | started to feel like a debutante going to her first ball in high society... which instantly madeeven more restless. My only comfort was having Aren near me, and | prayed that he would savein case | was about to make myself a complete idiot.

“God, they won't expectto have actual knowledge about business, don’t they?” | asked nervously, getting into the car.

Aren burst out laughing, “Sunshine, you know a lot about business. | can assure you that everyone is going to expect you to know less than you know. There will be a lot of wealthy people there, but don’t expect them all to even fully understand what their own business is about. Stop worrying.” | let out a breathy chuckle and nodded. | tried to repeat Aren’s words inside my head like a mantra, but it didn’t helpcalm down. | kept tapping the seat with my fingers and nervously correcting the strands of my hair.

Suddenly, Aren grabbed my chin, turned my face to him, and kissedhard and passionately. He grabbed the back of my neck, preventingfrom breaking the kiss, while his other arm slid around my waist. He was relentless, his tongue flicking softly then stroking lushly and deep. When he finally leaned back with a sly grin, my heart was hammering, my lips were completely swollen, and my restlessness was gone... | felt something else instead.

“Seriously?!” 1 glared at him. “Do you have any idea how long I've put on that makeup? And now my lips are going to look puffy like from bad lip surgery!” Aren laughed. “I like your puffy lips. They look delicious.” | groaned, turned away from him, and took out my makeup. Fortunately, | managed to cover the signs of my husband's mischievousness before we arrived at the hotel.

The red carpet outside and the limousines lining up to the entrance proved that we were in the right place. The press was crowding outside, hoping to snap a few pictures of celebrities and the richest people in sweird, extravagant, or insanely overpriced outfits. Finally, it was tfor us to walk across that carpet. Observing that the press showed minor interest in the few couples before us, | secretly hoped for the skind of attitude, but that didn’t happen...

“They're coming!” As one of the reporters shouted, the thousands of flashes blinded I slid my hand around Aren’s bent elbow and took my first step toward the entrance, trying to ignore the flickering light. Surprisingly, | didn’t feel intimidated. After my first hesitant step, | walked with confidence, curving my lips into a gentle smile.

“The diamond! Look at the diamond!” | heard the loud comments and gasps from the photographers and then saw Aren’s smirk. By tomorrow, every Aren’s enemy was going to hear the news ofwearing the Tian Kong; everyone, including the entire Lan family.

From the moment we stepped inside the lobby, we were surrounded by people who wanted to greet Aren. | noticed that most of those people bowed down to us as if we were royalty. It tookless than a minute to figure out that even at a party, the strict rules of hierarchy prevailed, Those at top of the top of the food chain dictated who those below could talk to and even who to greet. It was annoying and unfair, but it had always been like that. Those people respectedeven though they knew nothing about me, and it wasn’t strictly because | was Aren’s wife, My pass to the top of the food chain was hanging around my neck. It almost seemed like the fact that | was Tian Kong's owner had suddenly madenoble, elegant, and worth talking to It was the first t| truly felt the meaning of the statement that money gives power. At that moment, | felt powerful.

“Aren!” | heard a male voice calling as we walked into the ballroom.

When we turned around, we saw a tall, brown-haired man wearing fancy red-rimmed glasses waving at us. Once Aren nodded at him, he and a beautiful brunette holding his arm walked toward us.

“Wow... Now, this is the sight to see!” the man chuckled as he stopped in front of us. “You actually look happy, my friend!” He spread my arms wide to hug Aren.

Aren halted him with his stretched hand, but his mouth curved in a smile “Good to see you too,” he said, before possessively sliding his hand around my waist. “This is my wife, Cora” The man in front ofbowed down towith a huge grin on his lips, Aren rolled his eyes at him and turned my way. “This is Alistair Cromwell, the founder of Cromwell Robotics, and the lovely lady next to himn is his wife, Olivia.” “It's a pleasure to meet you,” | said, giving them both a polite smile, “The pleasure is all mine.” Alistair giggled while his wife stood silently by his side, makingwonder if she was mute or didn’t understand English “I heard you got a contract with the army. Congratulations, Alistair,” Aren said, giving him an appreciative nod.

“Thank you, man. It gives us a great chance to grow as a company. We can finally work on our eco-military project,” he announced proudly. | raised my eyebrows at him. “Eco-military project?” “Yes!” he exclaimed happily. “We are creating green bullets—the bullets that can decompose within three weeks after shooting, causing no harm to the environment!” I tilted my head to the side, wondering if he was joking. “So, you are looking for a way for people to shoot themselves without leaving metal scales and used bullets?” “Yes. If they want to shoot themselves, then go ahead. Just don't litter the Earth anymore,” he claimed, sounding absolutely confident about his idea. “I bet that forensics are going to love that idea...” | muttered, my lips curving into a mocking smirk.

He frowned. “Why is that?” | chuckled nervously, blaming my big mouth, but my rationality couldn't letstay silent.” Well, imagine that the bullet is the only proof that can solve the crand bring the victim's family justice. But if the bullet decomposes itself after three weeks, then sof the crimes could never be unsolved.” Suddenly, silence filled our corner of the ballroom. | smiled at Alistair, wondering if my words had offended him.

Then | heard a soft chuckle coming out of Olivia’s mouth. | glanced at her, startled. A second later, Alistair burst into laughter and pointed at me. “You are amazing! Great argument! Can | hug you?” “No,” Aren interjected, pullingslightly behind him. “Oh, con, man! Just when did you becso possessive?” Alistair teased, grinning at my husband “When | met her,” he said without a moment of hesitation.

| smiled at him, climbed onto my toes, and kissed him on the cheek.

Alistair sighed dreamily. “Ah... the love of the newlyweds.” | chuckled and looked at Aren, but it seemed like the word “love” strangely took away the smile from his face. He releasedfrom his embrace as if he had suddenly turned on his business mode. A cold chill ran down my spine as if something ominous had entered the ballroom. | felt an unexplainable need to leave this place. | fisted my hands and forced myself to smile.

“I... I need to go to the ladies’ room for a moment.” | smiled nervously, excusing myself with a brief nod.

| walked across the ballroom, suddenly realizing that | had no idea where | should look for toilets. | entered the nearest corridor and walked, looking at every door and hoping to find the toilets’ sign. One of the doors | passed was slightly open, and | noticed there was someone inside. | thought that | would ask for a way, but then | heard someone yelling...

“I told you to take care of it, and you can’t even guarantee that it will work?! Remindwhat I paid you for?!” | froze, and then my whole body started to tremble. It wasn’t about the words | heard, but the voice- it was the voice of the man that had kidnapped me.