Bryan felt his heart somersault several times in just a beat, this mistake had been his and only his. Though it had been out of error and wrong information, but then it doesn't exonerate him.
He hesitated for a brief second, but Lucian's death glare was already enough warning, he wasn't in for any game.
He swallowed hard, and with one deep exhale he launched into an explanation about the series of events that happened at the marriage registration centre.
Lucian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "And where is she now?"
Bryan shifted on his feet. "I dropped her off near the company. She said she didn't want her colleagues asking too many questions. Also, she doesn't know who you are, Boss."
Lucian's gaze flickered lightly with a complicated emotion, but his lips curled in amusement. "She signed a marriage certificate without knowing the groom's name?"
Bryan nodded. "More so, she mentioned taking the fall for her parents…it seems she was threatened into it."
Lucian's gaze narrowed. "Threatened, taking a fall, parents involved?" he stated insinuatively.
Bryan paused briefly. "Do you think I should investigate it further?"
Lucian's fingers tapped rhythmically against his desk. "Isn't that your job, do I need to tell you your job?"
Bryan straightened. "No, sir. I'll look into it."
Lucian studied him for a long moment before speaking again. "What else?"
Bryan hesitated. "She… she mentioned she is working here at Sterling Group. In the design department."
Lucian's brows lifted slightly, a flicker of intrigue flashing across his features. "Here?"
Bryan gave a firm nod. "Yes, sir. And she also said she'd be staying with a friend named Melissa for a few days before…" He trailed off, uncertain of how to continue.
"Before what?" Lucian's voice was quiet but held an edge that made Bryan's pulse quicken.
"Before coming home," Bryan finished. "She said she needed time… to accept reality."
Lucian let out a slow chuckle, nodding his head. "Accept reality?" His gaze turned sharp. "She doesn't need to accept anything. She already is my wife legally, and it has to be that way."
Bryan said nothing, sensing that his boss wasn't finished.
Lucian exhaled slowly, his fingers threading together contemplatively. Then, with a decisive tilt of his head, he looked at Bryan.
"Find out everything about her," he ordered. "Her past, her connections, and most importantly… why was she there this morning just when Emilie was on her way out of the country."
Bryan gave a sharp nod. "Understood, sir."
Lucian's gaze flickered toward the large window overlooking the city. "And one more thing," he murmured.
"Yes, sir?"
Lucian's fingers drummed lightly against the desk, his sharp gaze never leaving Bryan. His voice was calm but firm as he added, "She is not staying at any friend's place."
Bryan's brows furrowed slightly. "Sir?"
"I need to keep her close, she is married, she is married," Lucian continued. "Arrange for her to live in the Villa at the Zenith Estate."
Bryan hesitated before nodding. His thoughts racing. Zenith Villa has always been his favourite location, but now he is giving it out, does that mean…
"Understood," he answered in between his thoughts.
Lucian leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Instruct the personnel to send her to me as a personal assistant. She should report here before noon today."
Bryan's confusion deepened. "You're making her your assistant?"
Lucian's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "She signed the marriage papers without knowing who I was. Let's see how long it takes before she figures it out."
Bryan still wasn't sure where this was headed. "But sir, aren't you going to live with her?"
Lucian's expression turned unreadable. "No. I don't live with her." He leaned back, his tone turning slightly amused.
"But make sure the CCTV in the villa is working. I want her security ensured, and…" His eyes darkened slightly. "No one must know her location."
Bryan took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll handle it."
Lucian's gaze flickered toward the clock. "Good. I will only see her in the office until the right time."
Bryan didn't know what his boss was planning, but one thing was clear. Emily Winter was in for a game she wasn't prepared for.
Lucian exhaled slowly, a smirk playing on his lips as he leaned back in his chair. "Alright. Since the mistake has been made, I'll live with it." He said as though he were talking about the weather.
Bryan studied his expression, and with the understanding he was not joking, he sighed in relief.
He was already prepared to pay the price of his mistake, but it seems Emily Winter is his lucky ticket.
Bryan glanced at his boss, whose gaze was settled outside the city sky with his fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk… one thing was clear, his mind was already calculating the next steps.
Bryan, still trying to gauge his boss's reaction, cautiously asked, "So, what now?"
Lucian let out a low chuckle. "I'll inform my grandfather that I'm married, but unfortunately, it's not what they hoped for."
He shrugged his shoulders as if shaking off a burden. "Finally, I don't have to deal with an arrogant daughter who thinks the world revolves around her."
Bryan's lips twitched at the obvious relief in his boss's tone. "So, you're… okay with this?"
Lucian's eyes glinted with something unreadable. "Let's just say, I'll make the most of the situation." He steepled his fingers. "Besides, Emily Roberts isn't as simple as everyone thought.
Bryan exhaled. "And if she finds out the truth?"
Lucian's smirk deepened, his fingers drummed lightly against the desk as he exhaled. His decision was made. There was no going back now.
"We take it one thing at a time," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Just make sure she is comfortable."
Bryan nodded. "Understood. I'll arrange everything at the Zenith Estate. She'll have everything she needs."
Lucian leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze locking onto Bryan. "And make sure she doesn't suspect anything. She still believes she signed that marriage certificate for someone else. Let her keep thinking that for now."
Bryan hesitated for a brief second before nodding. "Got it. I'll also ensure security is tight around her."
Meanwhile, Emily dragged herself into her office, completely drained, her limbs heavy with exhaustion.She dropped into her chair and rubbed her temples as a wave of hunger gnawed at her stomach.
She had left home much earlier than he expected just in the bid to meet up with the time that man set for her, yet it was all a waste since he arrived even late.
More surprising was that he sent a delegate on his behalf. How busy can a man be to send someone to take care of his marriage as though it were some business transaction?
This thought made Emily bitter. In all the twenty-four years of her life, marriage had been made to convey sacred and respectful union built on love and trust.
"Who would have thought some people would treat it too casually and even as a business transaction.
"Who treats marriage like a business deal?" she muttered bitterly.
Emily couldn't help but wonder what her fate in this transactionary marriage would be.
Her stomach growled softly, snapping her out of her thoughts… she sighed bitterly at her foolishness. "How I wish I had followed Bryan for breakfast this morning," she muttered.
But she hadn't been in the mood to eat, not with everything that had happened.
Just as she leaned back, her office door swung open, and Melissa strode in, her sharp eyes scanning Emily's tired face. "Mily, are you okay?" she asked, concern laced in her voice. "You look drained."
Emily managed a weak smile. "I'm fine, just… a lot happened this morning."
Melissa frowned and crossed her arms. "Don't give me that. You look like you haven't had a proper meal in days. What's going on?"