Think I Love You, Mr. CEO? That's a Lie

Sophia Ashton sat in the passenger seat of a sleek black luxury sedan, her gaze fixed on the small red booklet in her hand, its cover adorned with the words "Marriage Certificate." As the esteemed heiress of the Ashton Group and a financial prodigy, she had rashly married a man she’d only known for three days! Leonard snapped, "Sophia!" "Do you regret getting married, Leonard?" Sophia asked coldly. "If so, I'm fine with a divorce." Sophia glanced at the man in the driver’s seat. His sharp features, high nose bridge, and impeccable physique painted the picture of an ideal husband. Leonard was stunned for a moment, then his face darkened the next second. Sophia, what madness are you up to now?" Leonard demanded. "Isn't this marriage what you and Grandfather wanted? You even said you admired me at the banquet. If it weren’t for Grandfather’s insistence, do you think I’d marry you—a discarded daughter of the Bennett family who can’t even carry her father’s surname? What right do you have to mention divorce to me?" Sophia frowned slightly. Hell! She wasn't really the cast-off daughter of the Bennett family. Her uncle's daughter had been sickly since childhood and had been recuperating abroad. They shared the same name, and she had been using her uncle's daughter's identity in Carmenia. Leonard's grandfather had somehow uncovered her true identity and used it as leverage, forcing her into a dazed marriage with this man who didn't love her. In fact, he even despised her. It was said that Leonard had no interest in women and kept his distance from people. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her jaw, snapping Sophia back to reality. Leonard Collins gripped her chin firmly, forcing her to lock eyes with him. "Sophia, what exactly are you scheming?" Leonard gazed at her with knife-sharp eyes, radiating an icy coldness that pushed people away. Sophia steadied her emotions, her almond-shaped eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Her long lashes trembled delicately like cicada wings, stirring a sense of pity. In a wounded tone, she said, "Mr. Collins, you're hurting me. Of course, you are my only desire. From the moment I first saw you, I fell hopelessly in love. Like grass rooted in soil and fish thriving in water, I can't bear to be apart from you." "Shut up!" Before Sophia could finish, Leonard cut her off abruptly. Leonard violently pushed her away, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes. Sophia pressed her lips together, feeling a surge of satisfaction at his discomfort. The rumor about her infatuation with him had been fabricated by someone to frame her. If she ever found out who had framed her at the matchmaking banquet two days ago, She would make sure to teach that person a lesson they’d never forget! "Leonard, marrying you is the happiest thing in my life," Sophia grabbed Leonard's hand again, "I truly love you. As for divorce, I just wanted to test if you love me." But in less than a second, Leonard flung her hand away as though it were something utterly repulsive. "Get out of the car!" Leonard frowned, his eyes cold and sharp. "Leonard..." "Don't make me say it twice!" Fine. Seeing her goal achieved, a faint smile flickered in Sophia’s eyes, but her face remained sorrowful as she reluctantly exited the car. As soon as she stepped out of the car, a cold voice drifted from within, "Sophia, I will never love you in this lifetime." With that, the car shot forward like an arrow, vanishing from sight in an instant. "Who cares!" Sophia muttered with a pout, "At last, I can investigate everything in peace." She had returned to the country to investigate her uncle's sudden car accident, suspecting it was linked to his second wife, who was now her stepmother under her assumed identity. So her uncle must have suspected her aunt's hidden agenda early on, which is why he changed his overseas daughter's name to hers. She had found an important clue about her stepmother today and needed to get home quickly to check her email on her computer. With this thought, Sophia hailed a taxi and made her way back to her uncle's home. As soon as she stepped into the house, a shrill and furious voice pierced the air, "You harbinger of misfortune! How dare you marry Mr. Collins!" A woman with impeccable makeup stood before her, red lips slightly parted as she commanded in a shrill and overbearing tone, "Answer me when I'm talking to you." Her gaze flicked to the marriage certificate in Sophia's hand as she reached out to grab it. Clara Bennett, the second young lady of the Bennett family, was her current identity's half-sister. Sophia sidestepped her grasp, her expression darkening slightly. "You harbinger of misfortune, how dare you dodge? If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been able to..." Clara interrupted herself, realizing she had misspoken, and quickly clamped her mouth shut. Sophia stiffened for a moment, then a cold smile tugged at the corner of her lips, "Clara Bennett, so it was you at the banquet a few days ago. Let me warn you: call me a harbinger of misfortune again, and you’ll regret it." Clara unconsciously took two steps back, thinking this bad luck charm's smile was terrifying. How had she changed so drastically since returning to the country? Remembering that Sophia was just a cast-off daughter of the Bennett family, Clara's arrogance resurfaced. With eyes full of contempt and disdain, she sneered, "Oh, aren't you a harbinger of misfortune? Wasn’t it your birth that doomed your pathetic mother to death?" Before the words had fully left her mouth, a resounding "SLAP!" echoed through the room. Five bright red finger marks appeared on Clara's face as Sophia shook out her stinging palm. "Ouch! Why is your face so thick-skinned?" she grumbled, shaking her hand. "You bad luck charm! How dare you hit me!" Clara lunged forward in fury, but Sophia caught both her wrists in an iron grip and delivered another resounding slap across her face. Then she delivered a few more slaps. Ah, now she felt much better. Clara's cheeks immediately swelled and flushed crimson. Tears streamed down her contorted face while her eyes blazed with venomous hatred. "You..." "Sorry, I might've hit a bit too hard. Let this be a warning: say something I don’t like again, and you’ll be slapped once more!" Sophia cut her off with a smile, giving her face a light pat. As the elder stepsister, Sophia found it only natural to discipline her. She cast a casual glance and noticed a familiar gemstone bracelet on Clara's wrist.