Chapter 3

"Leave that to her." Daniels' voice betrayed no hint of concern, even though the child in question was his. Fred was briefly taken aback, but considering Daniel was the CEO of Brighton Group, he couldn't say he was surprised. "Mr. Hoffman, she could be the ideal solution to your problem." The steady tapping of fingers against the keyboard paused—just for a second. "Go on." "Mr. Hoffman Senior has been pushing for your marriage, scheduling matchmaking appointments well into the next two months. Since there's already a perfect candidate available, this marriage could solve two problems at once—securing both a wife and a child. A highly efficient solution, if I may add." For them, the solemn and sacred institution of marriage felt more like a strategic arrangement than a heartfelt commitment. "I've done my research. Ms. Moore and her mother rely solely on each other, with no other family support. Her mother is currently hospitalized with liver disease and urgently needs financial assistance." Fred's intentions were unmistakable—money would secure Charlotte as Daniel's wife and guarantee an heir. What made it even better was that she wouldn't demand any emotional effort or attention. Money alone would be enough to keep her in check. The Hoffman family had more than enough wealth to make this a simple matter. With this arrangement, his grandfather, Errol Hoffman, would stop pressuring him for marriage, and Daniel could avoid endless blind dates. Errol would be pleased, and Daniel's schedule would remain uninterrupted. Charlotte's motivations were straightforward—money. As long as she was well-paid, she would stay compliant and avoid crossing any lines. One sought financial stability, while the other sought peace of mind—a mutually advantageous arrangement. Wasn't this a far better option than marrying a wealthy heiress mired in complicated family dynamics? In the end, Daniel would have to marry and have children regardless. Charlotte was simply the most practical choice. "Is she smart?" "She was the top science student in Veloria City—only eight points shy of a perfect SAT score." "Check my schedule." Fred's face brightened. He knew Daniel's schedule by heart. "Mr. Hoffman, you're free tomorrow from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm." Daniel's gaze shifted, finally settling on Fred. "I'm leaving this to you. Get the marriage certificate tomorrow." "Understood, Mr. Hoffman." Without hesitation, Fred left the office and immediately began making arrangements for the marriage registration. … Between managing part-time jobs and caring for Elyse, Charlotte rarely made it back to her dorm before curfew. To avoid the hassle, she had rented a room in a farmhouse near the college's back gate. The landlady was a reclusive elderly woman, and the rent was affordable. It offered Charlotte the peace and privacy she needed, without curfews or disturbances. After finishing both of her shifts last night, it was already 4:00 am. She managed only four hours of sleep before forcing herself out of bed. She went through her morning routine—brushing her teeth, washing her face, filling her thermos with hot water, and packing her books. With that, she headed out to campus. Stopping by the cafeteria, she grabbed the cheapest breakfast available—two sandwiches. Thanks to her top-scoring results, she had earned a spot at the country's most prestigious medical college. Getting into the eight-year clinical medicine program was no easy feat. It meant bypassing the stress of graduate and doctoral entrance exams, and everyone in her cohort started on equal ground. The lead editor of the textbook spoke with passion on stage, and Charlotte listened attentively, completely focused on the lecture. To earn the national scholarship, she knew she had to outshine her peers in commitment, making every moment count as she absorbed the material. Her phone vibrated in her coat pocket, but she didn't notice. She was too focused on the lecture, the thick fabric blocking the sensation. When the break arrived, she checked her phone to confirm her part-time job schedule and saw the three missed calls. Thinking it was from a doctor at the liver disease hospital, she stepped outside the classroom and found a quiet spot to return the call. "Hello, this is Charlotte Moore." "Ms. Moore, Mr. Daniel Hoffman wishes to marry you. Please get ready." "I don't have time for this." Assuming it was just another scam call, Charlotte ended the call with a quick swipe of her finger. She definitely didn't have time for this. … Fred stared at his phone, momentarily speechless. Had he not been clear enough? If that were the case, he would have no option but to go to campus and pick her up himself. Fortunately, the official website of Jedburgh Medical College provided a complete list of course schedules and classroom locations. … For Charlotte, 24 hours in a day were never enough—she often wished she could stretch them into 48. There was no time to waste on what she presumed was a scam call. Ignoring it, she focused on digesting the professor's lecture during the break. As soon as the dismissal bell rang, she quickly exited through the back door of the classroom. Just as she reached the base of the academic building, a man called out her name, "Ms. Charlotte." He was dressed in a standard suit, yet he lacked the usual aggressive air of an insurance salesman. "Can I help you?" she asked. "I'm here to escort you to the city hall for your marriage registration." Charlotte froze for a moment, the phone call from earlier echoing in her mind. "With Mr. Daniel Hoffman?" "Yes. He's the biological father of the child you're carrying." As students continued to exit the building, Fred suggested, "Let's talk somewhere more private. Feel free to set your terms." "Alright." Charlotte didn't hesitate. Turning down a million-dollar offer was simply not something she could entertain. A man who could easily put that amount of money on the table and track her down the day after she discovered her pregnancy was clearly someone with extraordinary influence. If he was willing to take responsibility, then perhaps she could keep the child. Just yesterday, she had convinced herself to go through with the abortion, even scheduling the appointment. But last night, she had a dream. In it, a baby with round cheeks and big, sparkling eyes was sucking on its little fingers. In a soft, gentle voice, the baby called her "Mommy". She tried to push the feeling away, but the reluctance in her heart was undeniable. Severing ties was never easy, and she had been struggling with it. After a round of negotiations, Charlotte and Fred—the groom's representative—finalized the prenuptial agreement by the lake on campus. "Ms. Moore, the contract is ready. Please review it carefully and sign if you have no objections," Fred said, handing her the document and a pen. Charlotte took it with a faint smile. "You came well-prepared." "It's a win-win situation." "I like the sound of that." More than anything, Charlotte hoped Elyse would win her battle against her illness. Having been burned by unfair contracts in her previous part-time jobs, Charlotte had become diligent about reading every detail carefully. The terms were straightforward. She was to carry the child for the Hoffman family and fulfill her role as both a wife and mother. If the marriage ended, she would receive no share of her husband's assets beyond child support. In exchange, the Hoffmans would cover all of Elyse's medical expenses and assist in finding a suitable liver donor. Recalling the man's cold indifference that night, Charlotte made one thing clear. "The liver donor must come from legal and ethical sources." "Of course." Without hesitation, Charlotte signed her name. "Here you go." As she handed over the contract, a mix of emotions swirled within her. There was no doubt. Given her situation, marriage was the most practical option. In the short time they had spent together, Fred, having encountered countless people, could tell that Charlotte was an extraordinarily pure soul. Or perhaps she had simply been raised too well—lacking the wariness and shrewdness that came with experience. She was naive to the ways of the world, making it easy for others to take advantage of her vulnerabilities. With her delicate beauty and untainted heart, she was the kind of woman who needed protection. Without a man of significant power, she would be an easy target. Fred checked his watch, gauging the time. "Everything's arranged. Bring your ID, and we'll head to the city hall. Once Mr. Hoffman arrives, the registration will be done in about ten minutes." "Is there anything else after we get the certificate?"