Chapter 5

Aurora left after chatting with Mitchell. Fortunately, the subway entrance wasn't all that far from the hotel, making it convenient for her. Aurora was just about to make her way there when a black sports car abruptly screeched to a stop before her. She instinctively took a hasty step back but was surprised to see the passenger side window slowly rolling down. Then, a low voice came through, saying, "Get in the car." The man in the driver's seat was none other than Owen. What was this big shot doing here? "Can't recognize your husband, Professor Reed?" Owen sneered in contempt, thinking that she was merely trying to get his attention by playing hard to get. Aurora hesitated momentarily before getting into the car, not bothering to delve too deep into it. "Good evening, Mr. Jenson," she greeted politely as she fastened the safety belt. Owen glanced at her and said nothing as he started the car. "Where to?" "Astrait University," Aurora replied succinctly. And so, the car proceeded onward to its destination. The long journey only made the silence even more awkward as time passed. It was difficult to imagine that these two were newlyweds. After a long while, Owen's indifferent voice shattered the silence as he drawled, "Professor Reed, I'm not interested in your past. But please keep in mind that we're in a contract marriage. So, I hope you'll avoid any unsavory scandals while we're married." "And does this hope also apply to you, Mr. Jenson?" Aurora questioned as she lowered her lashes in thought. Owen shot her a glance and smirked coldly. "Naturally." Aurora snorted derisively, utterly unconvinced. Why would she ever believe him? Owen had just barely gotten out of a scandal with an international superstar. Then, it was quickly followed by a wealthy heiress. She had also heard rumors about him getting involved with an infamous gambler's daughter. "Have you taken any classes in psychology, Professor Reed? You have a rather deft touch when it comes to your… relationships." Aurora wasn't so deaf that she couldn't hear the blatant sarcasm in his words. Nevertheless, she responded calmly, "I'm afraid I can never hope to measure up to your eloquence, Mr. Jenson." Owen's eyes darkened slightly at her retort as he inquired, "It seems you're rather close with my grandmother. How did you two meet?" Aurora turned her head to look at the view outside the window. After a beat, she answered, "Didn't you have me investigated, Mr. Jenson?" He furrowed his brows in displeasure. Alas, her steady voice continued before he could get a word edgewise, "I understand you're not exactly happy with our nuptials. In fact, you were probably forced into this arrangement. "Don't worry. I fully intend to abide by the agreement we've signed. I'll sweeten the deal by making this clear now. I'm more than happy to step aside if you want to marry the love of your life in the future." She sighed softly as she murmured, "Frankly, I only married you because I had no other choice. Neither of us is here for something so silly like love. Instead, we're only in this for marriage. So, why can't we work together? Think of it as a mutually beneficial deal. You can just treat me like your business partner." Aurora had no interest in dragging this thing out any further than she had to. If anything, she wanted to make her stance clear to her… spouse. That way, they would be able to cooperate smoothly. "You have plenty of suitors, Professor Reed. Why did you insist on picking me?" Owen asked coldly. It was evident that he didn't trust Aurora's explanation. "There was nothing insistent about me choosing you as my husband. It was just that you were the most suitable candidate at that very moment. You're an outstanding individual, Mr. Jenson. Moreover, if I want to resolve my current predicament, I can't just choose someone at random and be done with it." Aurora elaborated pragmatically. Those words had just fallen from her lips when the phone in her pocket started ringing. She took her phone out and quickly answered it, saying, "Hello, Dr. Kennedy?" Toby Kennedy's voice came through as he said, "Ms. Reed, I'm afraid Mr. Klein Senior's condition is deteriorating rapidly. We've exhausted all our options. The Klein family has decided to cease any further treatment, allowing him a brief reprieve before he passes." Aurora pressed her slender fingers against her forehead as she fell silent. Eventually, she replied, "I understand. Thank you for your hard work." Mr. Klein Senior, Bryce Klein, had always been kind to her. Unfortunately, it was also an avenue that the Klein family was viciously exploiting. They wanted to use the kindness he treated her with as a means to bind her to them, squeezing her dry. Even before Whitney was found, she had long wanted to sever her ties with the Klein family as she was but a mere stand-in. Yet they refused to acknowledge this fact. Instead, they continued to view her as their possession, insisting on controlling her. Greed, jealousy, malice, and misery were the life lessons they had etched into her skin. "Mr. Jenson, it's just as you said. All of this is purely transactional. I sincerely hope we'll be able to cooperate with one another," she said calmly as she tucked her phone away. Before Owen could respond, she parted her lips and said once more, "You can just drop me off by the roundabout ahead." Owen couldn't help but look at her in confusion. "Did we not agree to keep our marriage under wraps, Mr. Jenson? Your car is rather flamboyant." He couldn't help but come up with a snarky reply internally, "How considerate of her." Still, Owen pulled the car over. "Thanks for the ride, Mr. Jenson. Cheers to the marriage," she said lightly before closing the door. Owen lit a cigarette and took a distracted drag. His gaze landed on her figure as she crossed the street and disappeared from his line of sight. Cheers to the marriage? Did he look like he was in a cheery mood over this marriage?