Chapter 9 A Date Tonight?

Megan fetched the prenuptial agreement from the drawer, then proceeded to stand by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The glass warmed by the sunlight, she leaned against it. In essence, the agreement detailed an arrangement to cohabit without encumbrance, particularly specifying that property matters were to be kept separate. Being a secret marriage, it practically had no effect on their daily lives. Joseph glanced over at Megan, who was bathed in sunshine, her skin luminously pale. Wisps of hair framed her calm, supple face. One would never guess that this apparently gentle and obedient girl was fierce if her martial prowess had not been witnessed. Sensing Joseph's gaze, Megan looked up, and their eyes met. Caught observing her, he showed no sign of embarrassment, "How is it going? Do you see anything that requires changing?" Megan shook her head, "Nothing so far." She harbored no designs on Joseph's possessions and found the terms quite agreeable. Joseph attended to his meal again. Despite a previously poor appetite, he almost finished all. Megan had concluded her review of the agreement. The final item was a stipulation that upon his ascension as the head of the Martinez family, Dragon Seal would be opened to provide her with an antidote. That was her sole interest. She promptly signed her name. "Joseph, there is no issue with the prenuptial agreement. Once you are discharged, we shall register our marriage." Taking the document from Megan, Joseph remarked, "Though it is a covert marriage, you may be required to stage a convincing display of affection with me. The more believable our affection, the easier it will be for you to obtain the antidote." Megan nodded. Dragon Seal, being the Martinez family heirloom, was accessible only to the head of the family. She would have to play her part well in the act of loving matrimony in order to merit its use. "Joseph, I will act and heal your leg. However, the imitation ring you requested will take another week to deliver." She had assumed it would take three days to replicate the ring, but subsequently discovered the complexity of its material and crafting process, which was time-consuming. "OK." Joseph said. - Megan went back to Hannah. Hannah had finished her meal. Upon Megan's arrival, Hannah patted the box in her hands,"my dear, come here." Beside the bed, Megan watched as Hannah opened the box, filled with her favorite childhood toys bought by her grandmother. - Her foster parents, favoring sons over daughters, had largely ignored her even before they realized she wasn't their biological child. It was Hannah who had raised her. Perusing the toys, Hannah shared anecdotes from the past. Megan's face lit up with a smile as she listened. Hannah, having recounted memories with each toy, carefully returned them to the box. She flipped the box over, revealing a secret compartment from which she withdrew a folded, parchment envelope. "Megan, open it." Megan had an inkling of the contents. Unsealing the envelope, she examined its contents: a will, beneath which lay all of Hannah's assets and a bank card. Unbeknownst to the other family members desperately seeking this, it was hidden within the box of toys. Although rummaged through, the Johnson had overlooked this secret. Pointing to the will, Hannah said, "Take a look." These words weighed heavily on Megan. "Grandma, I will cure you and you will live a long life." "Hand it to you was not because of my pessimism, but rather seeking for a sense of peace." By bequeathing her holdings, even if the Johnson coveted her wealth, it would be futile. Megan knew her grandmother's kindness, but after reading the will, she was stunned. Not only had she been given a 10% stake in Johnson Holdings, but also a property and two shops were passed to her, encompassing nearly all her grandmother's assets. - "Grandma, I cannot accept your inheritance. If you do not wish to leave it to other family members, a donation might be preferable?" "Well, now that you've become self-sufficient, you turn up your nose at my modest legacy?" "No…" "Then accept it. " Hannah insisted. Megan reluctantly obliged, "Thank you, Grandma." "You've been running back and forth, caring for me during my hospitalization. You deserve it. Though not much, the money in this bank card should sufficiently cover the arrangements for my affairs." "Grandma, please refrain from such grim talk. Without any parents or elders, I'm relying on you to help raise my children in the future!" Hannah chuckled at the jest, "Then you must marry a good husband soon and have children." Megan winked playfully, "I'll do my best." She decided not to disclose her agreement to marry Joseph, preferring not to stir any doubts in her grandmother. Hannah began to feel drowsy. After she fell asleep, Megan returned to her apartment. *** Having a date planned for tonight, Megan dressed in a sensual gown and applied delicate makeup. When she delivered dinner to Joseph, she said, "I have a date tonight and cannot stay long. I'll take the meal box tomorrow." Joseph's gaze lingered on Megan for an extra moment. "You have a date? With a man?" Megan smiled, "Joseph, my personal life is unrelated to our arrangement. But rest assured, after our marriage registration, I will cause no trouble." Joseph heard an inference in her words—a suggestion that before their official marriage, Megan was free to sleep around, and he had no right to stop that. Although he had no right to interfere, a trace of discomfort inexplicably surged within him. "Megan, the moment you proposed marriage, you should have begun to tread carefully. Marrying into the Martinez family is not to be taken lightly." Taking his response as concern about potential scandals, Megan chose to lay bare the truth to foster trust. - "Rest assured, Joseph. I was intending to settle matters with the Johnson and will not cause you any trouble." Joseph offered no further comment. Upon her departure, he phoned Oliver. "Head over to Thebia. Keep a close watch on Megan." "What?" "She might get into trouble and need your help." "OK, Joseph," Oliver went to the styling room. When he emerged, the corporate professional had transformed into a rogueishly handsome man sporting a floral shirt and a stylishly tousled side-parted hair. Upon reaching Thebia, Oliver chose a spot conducive to monitoring the entrance and casually ordered a drink. Not long after, Megan showed up.