Falling for the Goddess

A Marriage of Convenience

Adrian Blake had barely arrived home when a phone call summoned him to Meisi bar.

When he pushed open the door to the private room, one of them was already there.

“You made it,” Eric Thorne said, lounging casually on the sofa with a drink in hand.

Adrian Blake walked over and sat down on the sofa beside him. “Why’d you call me here out of the blue?”

“Hold on, there’s still one more person we’re waiting for,” Eric Thorne replied, taking a sip of his drink, the amusement in his eyes growing.

As soon as he finished speaking, the door burst open, and Lucas Graves rushed in, downing two glasses of water in quick succession. “ I’m dying of thirst! I came straight here from surgery - I didn’t even have time to grab a drink! ”

He looked around at the two already seated. “Is everyone here? Where’s Huai’an?”

“He’s abroad on business. It’s just the three of us tonight.”

Lucas Graves finally slumped down on the opposite sofa, looking completely drained. He had been in back-to-back surgeries all day, and his energy was practically gone. If it weren’t for Eric Thorne saying there was some big news, he’d be in his cozy bed by now.

“So, what’s this about? Couldn’t you just tell me over the phone?” Lucas Graves’s eyes were already halfway closed.

“You’ll have to ask him.” Eric Thorne’s gaze slid meaningfully toward Adrian Blake.

Adrian Blake? Lucas Graves suddenly perked up.

Now *this* was interesting. News about Adrian Blake was rare.

In North Capital City, there were four prominent families: the Blake family, the Ashford family, the Thorne

family, and the Graves family. These families were deeply intertwined through business, marriage, and generations of friendship.

The younger generation, including Adrian Blake and his friends, were all around the same age and had grown up together. Their relationships were complex but close.

But Adrian Blake was different from the rest of them.

Even though Eric Thorne seemed mature and composed now, he had had his wild days, just like the rest of them. All of them had gone through a phase of youthful rebellion - except for Adrian Blake. He had always been calm and reserved, mature beyond his years, as if nothing could pique his interest.

So hearing that there was something worth talking about when it came to Adrian Blake? Lucas Graves couldn’t help but be intrigued.

Seeing the two of them staring at him, Adrian Blake lifted his gaze slightly. “If there’s nothing important, I’m heading out.”

He got up, but Lucas Graves quickly jumped from the sofa and blocked his way. “Wait, don’t leave!”

Knowing Adrian Blake’s temperament, Eric Thorne cut straight to the point. “I heard you saved a girl at a bar tonight?”

Adrian Blake immediately knew that Kyle Thorne must have been the one to spill the news. He sat back down and didn’t bother denying it. “Yeah.”

Lucas Graves’s eyes went wide with shock. He pointed at Adrian Blake, stammering, “Him? He saved a… a girl?”

He emphasized the word "girl" heavily.

Everyone knew that Adrian Blake had never been fond of interacting with women.

Thanks to his good looks, he had been the object of countless girls’ affections throughout middle school, high school, and even university. Girls were constantly confessing to him or trying to get his attention, but he always remained cold, rejecting them without a second thought. He never entertained any romantic advances.

To outsiders, Adrian Blake seemed like a model of self-control, uninterested in women. But those closest to him knew the real reason he kept his distance.

And now, he had apparently saved a girl?

Before Lucas Graves could process this, Eric Thorne dropped another bombshell.

“I spoke with your grandmother. She told me you’re married.”

Lucas Graves: ???

What kind of bizarre world was this? Was he hallucinating from exhaustion?

He slapped himself lightly on the cheek, wondering if he had fallen asleep after his surgeries and was dreaming.

“Who’s married?” Lucas Graves asked again, just to be sure.

Adrian Blake’s eyes lowered, his expression unreadable. “We got the marriage license a month ago.”

Adrian Blake… married? The person least likely to tie the knot was the first among them to get hitched?

Lucas Graves’s mouth dropped open wide enough to fit a teapot.

“Holy crap. Who’s this incredible woman who managed to snag Adrian Blake?”

Unlike Lucas Graves, Eric Thorne was more thoughtful, his expression growing serious. He asked in a calmer tone, “Are you serious about this, Ah Yu?”

The four of them rarely called each other by their given names or nicknames, except in serious moments like that.

“Grandma’s health has been declining. The girl saved her life, and Grandma’s very fond of her,” Adrian Blake explained. “At the end of the day, it didn’t matter who I married. As long as Grandma’s happy, that’s enough.”

It was a marriage in name only.

Lucas Graves was about to ask why Adrian Blake hadn’t told them about this, but after hearing his explanation, he decided to hold his tongue.

They were all familiar with the situation in Adrian Blake’s family. Based on his tone, it was clear Adrian Blake didn’t have any real feelings for the girl. He had only married her for the sake of his grandmother.

“So what’s your plan?” Lucas Graves asked. “You’ve married her, but what are you going to do now?”

Adrian Blake thought back to the day they got the license. The girl had been wearing a simple white shirt, her face adorned with her usual sweet smile, but there had been no real joy in her eyes. It was clear she hadn’t been particularly eager to marry him either.

“We’ll keep things simple. She gets what she needs, and I get what I need. We’ll live in peace.” Adrian Blake’s voice was cold.

His grandmother’s health was failing, and she wanted to see him settled. He couldn’t refuse her, and in truth, he didn’t want to. Sara Hart had saved his grandmother, and his grandmother liked her. If marrying her would make his grandmother happy, then so be it.

He didn’t mind giving her some of what she wanted, as long as she didn’t cross any lines. He could be generous with money and help her with situations like the one at the bar earlier that evening.

If she kept her place, he was willing to give her the title of Mrs. Blake and a life of wealth and stability.

But if she ever dared to scheme against him or harm his grandmother, he wouldn’t hesitate to act.

Lucas Graves’s mouth twitched. That sounded exactly like Adrian Blake.

“You’re not planning to introduce her to us?” Lucas Graves asked.

“There’s no need.”

Seeing Adrian Blake’s cold indifference, Lucas Graves silently pitied the girl. He just hoped she was in it for the money and not for Adrian Blake’s affection. Otherwise, she was in for a rough ride.

Lucas Graves glanced over at Eric Thorne, who had been quiet for most of the conversation. “What about you? Don’t you have anything to say?”

“What’s there to say? He’s already made it clear. Nothing more to add,” Eric Thorne replied calmly.

Lucas Graves felt a bit let down. Where was the juicy gossip?

“Well, it’s been a while since the three of us have gotten together. Let’s have a few drinks,” Eric Thorne suggested.

“Sounds good.”

Lucas Graves poured drinks for the three of them, raising his glass toward Adrian Blake. “No matter what, this drink is for you. Congratulations on your marriage!”

Adrian Blake shot him a sideways glance, not moving.

Lucas Graves quickly backtracked. “Though, from the look on your face, you don’t seem too happy. In that case, I’ll just congratulate you on stepping into the graveyard of marriage.”

He clinked his glass against Adrian Blake’s, the sound of the glasses ringing in the air.

Adrian Blake glanced at the drink in his hand, a wry smile tugging at his lips. He didn’t say anything, simply downing the glass in one go.