Chapter 1: Forced to Tie the Knot

The sky was a serene vivid blue, dotted with cotton-like clouds, which created a dazzling yet peaceful scene.

Londyn Agonbar rushed anxiously, driving her friend Presley Smith's Mercedes to the Civil Affairs Bureau.

As she stepped out of the car, Londyn was met with a sight that left her dumbfounded.

Outside the Civil Affairs Bureau, there were four luxury cars parked, including a Koenigsegg worth around a hundred million. A gray-haired elderly and a young man stood beside it, accompanied by a dozen towering men in matching black suits.

Did she take a wrong turn? Was this some mob territory?

Londyn glanced around, double-checking the location. Yup, it was the Civil Affairs Bureau.

After confirming the location, she tucked her keys into her coat pocket and headed towards the entrance.

But her steps were halted by a voice.

"Miss Agonbar," the voice was seasoned yet vigorous.

Turning towards the source, Londyn saw an elderly next to the luxury car calling out to her. She retraced her steps towards the car and asked politely, "Sir, did you call me?"

Londyn quickly searched her memory but couldn't recall knowing him. She pointed to herself and asked.

Cameron Badhams had a head full of silver hair. He had a rosy complexion and an energetic vibe. He stood tall and straight like he was about to march, with sharp eyes that commanded respect and an undeniable air of authority.

"Yup, you are Londie, correct? I'm your grandpa's friend. He must have mentioned me to you." Cameron appeared amiable, with a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.

Since her grandpa had instructed her to be on time at the Civil Affairs Bureau, Londyn figured that was all the briefing she needed.

After a moment's thought, she nodded.

Cameron caught her nod and wasted no time. "Alright then, everything should be sorted since Adriel must have filled you in. Let's wrap up the final steps. This here is my grandson, Josiah Badhams." he added as he gestured towards the man beside him.

Londyn didn't immediately glance at the person Cameron introduced. Though it seemed like a simple introduction, it gave her a vibe as if Cameron were peddling something.

It was as if he was hawking some imported bananas, priced at $8 per pound, a tempting special offer begging to be brought home.

She spaced for a beat before following Cameron's gaze and finally spotted the man beside the luxury car.

Josiah stood by the Koenigsegg as he basked in the sunlight. The light accentuated his chiseled features, which exuded an aloofness akin to a timeless sculpture. His eyes revealed no emotion yet hinting at a mysterious depth.

His profound features were undeniably attractive, exuding an irresistible magnetism that seemed to warn, "Keep your distance." without saying a word.

His demeanor was as cold as if he'd just stepped out of a freezer.

Given the task at hand today, Londyn stuck to basic etiquette. "Hey there..."

She had intended to introduce herself but thought better of it faced with his indifference.

He didn't immediately respond. Instead, Josiah's silent eyes were unnervingly grim as he scanned her from head to toe. It was as if he was scrutinizing an X-ray before finally uttering with a hint of disdain, "Hmm."

Londyn was at a loss for words. Was he always this stony, or was his reaction just slow?

She brushed off his aloof demeanor. After all, Londyn was only here to fulfill her grandfather's request. Given their first encounter, she figured neither was particularly thrilled about it.

Such a reaction was to be expected. Feeling slightly awkward, she lowered her fatigued right hand.

She was simply being polite with a handshake, and if he wasn't up for it, that was his call.

But getting things done was the priority. Londyn had taken the day off from the hospital today. Being mindful of her finances, Londyn was keen on not wasting any more time and risking a deduction in pay.

"Well then, let's make this quick," Londyn said, meeting Josiah's gaze unwaveringly.

She was genuinely in a hurry. Londyn didn't know if she needed to wait in line, and what if her three-hour leave wasn't enough? It was all money down the drain.

But in Josiah's eyes, her words seemed like an eager anticipation of getting hitched with him.

With his eyelids lowered and his expression blank, Josiah's features exuded apathy.

After a moment's pause, Josiah finally spoke, "Are you in a hurry?"

All his behavior seemed sluggish and unresponsive to Londyn.

"Yeah, a bit," she replied without explaining why. Londyn went along with his words because time was indeed limited. After all, she had only taken a few hours off, not half a day.

Unbeknownst to her, this exchange sparked resentment and prejudice in Josiah.

His eyes were filled with unmistakable mockery, blatantly undisguised. Josiah brushed past her without a pause, walking straight into the Civil Affairs Bureau, with Cameron following behind.

The folks at the Civil Affairs Bureau were caught off guard by what they saw. Josiah exuded an undeniable charm that could easily catch anyone's eye, leaving the female staff aflutter.

"Cameron, Josiah, welcome! Please follow me. We've arranged for specialized personnel to assist you," said the bureau chief respectfully.

"Let's get this moving. Hand everything over to Lorenzo," urged Cameron.

Josiah wordlessly handed the prepared documents to Lorenzo Faelor, who respectfully accepted them. He then looked up at Londyn. "Mrs. Badhams, may I have your documents as well?"

Mrs. Badhams?

She hadn't even tied the knot yet. What kind of authority did Josiah have to make Lorenzo act like a deer caught in headlights?

Could he be some underworld bigshot? Her grandpa hadn't mentioned anything about Josiah's background. That was hasty!

In a rush to save time, she handed her ID and household registration booklet and asked weakly, "How long does it take to process the documents?"

Josiah fixed his gaze on her again. His eyes filled with scrutiny and disdain.

Typical of women like her, always in a rush, even at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Feeling the unfriendly stare, she started explaining, "No, really, it's just my first time getting hitched, you know? Just checking, no biggie, carry on."

It was her first time tying the knot. There was no harm in popping the question, right? What's up with Josiah's look?

"Mrs. Badhams, it won't take long, at most half an hour. Please come here for a photo and complete some forms," Lorenzo replied respectfully.

Since they were using the fast track, there was no need to waste any time. Besides, Lorenzo knew that Josiah wouldn't have time to linger here.

Satisfied and relieved, Londyn nodded. Josiah's attitude was too cold. He was very distant and unfriendly. The winter weather reinforced this feeling of coldness and discomfort. Londyn was eager to leave the situation to avoid further emotional chilliness.

Josiah appeared dissatisfied, seeing it as another case of someone relying on their looks and being overly eager despite being engaged, fearing potential setbacks.

Londyn had no idea that Josiah looked down on her so disdainfully.

The whole process didn't even take half an hour. It only took 18 minutes for them to snag the marriage certificate.

Cameron kept an eye on everything until his grandson handed the certificate to him. Only then did his restless heart finally settle.

Londyn casually tucked the marriage certificate into her pocket before turning to Cameron with a relaxed grin. "Mr. Badhams, I got a little something to handle. Gotta go now."

"Sure thing, Josh, drop her your number," Cameron mused inwardly that he'd happily welcome Londyn into his life once Adriel was out of the picture.

Josiah gestured to his bodyguard, who promptly handed over a business card as instructed.

Londy glanced at the card without much emotion and stuffed it into her pocket.

Leading the way, Josiah suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. His gaze was devoid of emotion as he stated, "Hope you're good at keeping secrets, Miss Agonbar. Let this stay between us, or there'll be consequences. Just a heads-up, but you don't want to know what's next."

With that, Josiah walked away without looking back.

It took her a beat to register the implicit threat. Essentially, he was pushing for a clandestine marriage. Why couldn't he just be straightforward instead of dancing around it? How absurd.

Londyn wasn't someone easily intimidated.

Before leaving, she looked up at the slogan outside.

Londyn stood there in a daze for a while.

The words struck a chord with Londyn and evoked emotions as she mulled them. She felt the words spoke out strange similarities yet distinct differences from her present circumstances.

She got married to a stranger who didn't love her. Londyn knew marriage didn't necessarily mean happiness. She was born alone, and when she passed away, Londyn wouldn't be able to take the person on her marriage certificate with her.

She pondered that love was akin to a fancy treat for the soul. It wasn't necessary, but having it made life flavorful.

She could not be dramatic after getting engaged. Just roll with it for now, and there was still time to head back to the hospital.

She snapped a photo and sent it to her grandpa with a voice message: "Hey, Grandpa, mission accomplished. This is legit. And if you're skeptical, you can check with Mr. Badhams. He was there the whole time. Now, eat properly and quit bugging me. I'm off to work at the hospital."

Should she refer to him as Mr. Badhams or something? And what was his grandson's name again?

After sending the message, Londyn locked her phone screen and stuffed it into her pocket, not bothering with the specifics.

She headed straight for the Mercedes.