Chapter 7---Let's Just Get Married
1128 Words
She gasped in shock.
"Marry? Us? That's... impossible! I was drunk last night—this document doesn't count!"
Timothy Hart looked at her coldly, sneering.
"You were eager to sign when you wanted to sleep with me. Now that you've had your fun, you're backing out?"
Aurora: "..."
"Hmph!"
He sneered again, mocking her.
Aurora was at a loss for words. After a long pause, she stammered, "It was mutual. How can you blame me entirely?"
She was a woman—how could she force him if he didn't agree?
But then, the man calmly began unbuttoning his shirt.
"I knew you wouldn't admit it. Luckily, I kept evidence."
Aurora followed his movements. Two loosened buttons revealed a delicate collarbone, with faint but unmistakable hickeys and scratch marks.
Clearly, last night had been intense.
She had an overwhelming urge to cover her face and run.
Reckless fun in the moment, waking up to hellfire.
Prompted by the man's pointed reminder, she recalled just how eager she'd been last night. Her face flushed red like two overripe tomatoes.
"I'm sorry! I really didn't mean it. How about this—name your price. I'll agree to any compensation. But... can we not get married?"
Timothy cast her a cold glance, his eyes glinting with icy disdain.
"Compensation? Fine. Owen."
"Here."
Owen stepped forward, holding an iPad. He swiped a few times and placed it in front of Aurora.
"Miss Wright, this is last month's Forbes Global Single Billionaires List. The latest rumor is that someone offered thirty billion just for one night with the CEO. You may want to consider that."
Aurora's mouth fell open in shock.
Her eyes scanned the iPad. The man's photo was poised and aloof, his piercing gaze seeming to shoot straight out of the screen and pierce through her.
She swallowed hard.
"So you're saying... I'd have to pay thirty billion as compensation?"
"Yes."
Aurora suddenly felt like she'd been set up.
She eyed him suspiciously, the more she looked, the more familiar he seemed. Her pupils contracted sharply.
Then she glanced down at the iPad, then at the marriage certificate—
Timothy...Hart...
Timothy Hart?!?!
Holy s**t! Holy s**t!
Aurora felt a herd of wild horses trampling over her head. She nearly jumped out of her chair.
No wonder the name sounded so familiar—it was *him*?
Heir to the Hart Conglomerate, CEO of the Hart Group, a regular on the Forbes list. Rumored to be worth more than a country, with a background so mysterious it defied comprehension.
A few years ago, he founded Tranquility International, which rose to dominance at lightning speed. Within just two years, it captured half the domestic entertainment industry—an almost miraculous feat.
She fell silent.
Earlier, thirty billion had seemed outrageous. Now that she knew who he was, she had to admit—some people are simply worth that much.
She spoke cautiously, "Um... can we negotiate? Maybe find another way to compensate?"
The man raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze indifferent.
"Hmm?"
"Thirty billion... I really can't afford it."
"Then there's nothing more to discuss."
His irritation was evident. With one look, Owen immediately gathered the documents from the table and stepped back respectfully.
Aurora opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but met his sharp, cold gaze and quickly shut up.
Timothy said coldly, "I'll give you three days to cut all ties with your past. In three days, I'll send someone to pick you up. After that, this will be your home."
Aurora felt like crying but had no tears left.
Knowing resistance was useless, she changed her tone. "Could I have a few more days?"
Timothy looked at her with icy eyes and mocked with a laugh.
"Hmph!"
Aurora: "..."
...
After leaving the Hart Villa, Owen was waiting for her at the gate.
A silver-gray Maserati was parked in the courtyard. Owen opened the door and said respectfully, "Miss Wright, I'll drive you home."
Aurora gave him a stiff smile. "No, it's fine. I'll take a taxi."
"This is the CEO's order."
Her smile froze. Her beautiful eyes drooped. In the end, she got in the car.
Aurora lived in a compact apartment in the city center—small, one bedroom and one living room. It wasn't spacious, but the location was excellent, convenient for transportation, and sufficient for a single person.
Back in her little nest, she threw herself onto the sofa, her mind blank.
From last night to today, one shock after another had come at her. She'd reacted on instinct, with no time to think. Only now, fully relaxed, did she feel a wave of exhaustion.
She grabbed the laptop from the coffee table, turned it on, and typed "Timothy Hart" into Baidu.
The avalanche of information made her heart grow colder.
Though she'd already known he was someone important, seeing his profile laid out online still gave her a headache.
One thing was certain—he was someone she could not afford to mess with.
Forget his prestigious titles—his personal power and wealth alone were enough to intimidate anyone.
This man wanted to *marry* her?
It sounded absurd.
But then again, she had nothing to fear. She had nothing now. What could he possibly take from her? A barefoot person isn't afraid of someone wearing shoes.
And wasn't she given three days?
Maybe he'd change his mind by then.
Anyway, deal with things as they come. One step at a time.
Having reasoned this out, Aurora stopped agonizing.
Today was Saturday—no work. She changed clothes and headed straight to her shop.
The store was in the city center, just a five-minute walk from home—no need to drive.
It was a small shop she'd rented two years ago, filled with various intimate lifestyle products.
Because of her job, she didn't have time to manage it, so she'd hired a clerk from day one. She only dropped by occasionally to check in.
But the clerk had taken leave two days ago, so she had to cover the shop herself.
Although Henry Thompson looked down on this industry, she believed every trade has its masters. She wasn't stealing, cheating, or breaking the law—she earned her money honestly. What right did anyone have to look down on her?
Sure, the business had its awkward moments, but it was undeniably profitable.
Over the past few years, she'd used the profits to buy her apartment and save a substantial amount.
Now that she had nothing left, money was more important than ever.
And since she'd broken up with Henry, she probably couldn't keep working at Thompson Group. She'd need a new path.
Thinking this, Aurora hesitated, then pulled out her phone and made a call.
- Writer
