Just once? And he conquered me?

Chapter 3. We are very compatible in bed

Hayley returned to the hotel from the hospital, her delicate features etched with fatigue. Her mother had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest but had thankfully been resuscitated. However, the medical bills were mounting, and funds were quickly depleting.

The Capet family was bankrupt, and Sam had shown his true colors, seeking to annul their engagement. From then on, she was on her own. The costs for her mother's medication and her children's needs weighed heavily on her—a dire reminder of the saying, "Lack of money kills the hero."

Standing dazedly at the hotel room door, thoughts of her three adorable babies forced Hayley to gather her strength. She took a deep breath, put on a smile, and rang the doorbell. The door swiftly opened, and to her surprise, Stephen stood before her.

"Why are you here?" Hayley couldn't hide her shock.

"We meet again," Stephen said calmly, as Hayley stepped back to check the room number. It was indeed the room she had booked.

"How come you are here?" she asked, puzzled.

Just then, three little heads peeked from behind Stephen. "Mommy, you're back!" "Mommy, come in!" Her daughters pulled her inside.

Stephen closed the door leisurely and followed them in. "Mommy, we found you a new husband! Do you like him?" Linda asked with a cheeky grin.

Hayley was momentarily distracted. Hearing her daughter's words nearly made her jaw drop. "What? Why are you finding me a new husband?"

"Because Uncle Zero is the strongest man!" "Because Uncle Zero won’t do!"

Hayley choked on her own saliva in shock. She inadvertently glanced at Stephen, her mind flashing back to some not-for-kids scenes from the previous night. Was he not capable? This man seemed fully capable indeed.

Linda, catching Hayley's confused look, explained, "Uncle Zero is below only one man, but he's not..."

Willis cut in to clarify, leaving Lucy nodding understandingly with her big, grape-like eyes.

Hayley was baffled. What was going on? How did this man end up here? Was he really the new husband her children had found for her?

"Sir, please step outside with me," Hayley requested, her eyes wary as they stepped out of the room.

"What exactly is going on here? Are you following me?"

"I don't have time for that," Stephen leaned casually against the wall, his demeanor relaxed yet aristocratic. "It was your three children who came to Howard Corporation, looking for Stephen, the business titan of Seacity, to become their dad so that no one would bully you anymore."

Incredibly, her children had thought of this themselves! Hayley was amused yet touched, feeling a twinge of emotion.

She pressed down her feelings and tentatively asked, "You're not Stephen, right? The kids just called you Uncle Zero."

A glint passed through Stephen's deep eyes. "I am Stephen’s assistant. Zero is another name of mine," he explained, revealing that Zero was his maternal surname after his parents had divorced and he moved abroad with his mother. Only half a year ago had he returned to take over as president of Howard Corporation.

"Mr. Zero, thank you for bringing my children back. They say the darndest things, so please don’t take it seriously," Hayley remarked, not taking the children's playful words to heart.

"And what if I take it seriously?" Stephen asked.

Hayley looked up, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Marry me."

Marry him? "Are you out of your mind?" Hayley blurted out.

Stephen stepped closer, pinning her against the wall. "You should know from last night whether I’m capable or not," he said with a half-smile, his proximity recalling the assertive strength he had shown in bed.

Heat crept up Hayley's cheeks. Not only was he capable, he was robust. "Then why do you want to marry me?"

He was handsome and successful; finding a suitable woman should be easy for him. Why a single mother like her?

"Because it's suitable," Stephen's gaze darkened slightly as it swept over her.

Hayley frowned, confused. "We didn’t know each other before, how can you say we’re suitable?"

"Don't you think we were quite in sync in bed?" Stephen stated plainly.

Hayley was speechless. Compatibility in bed equated to suitability? Typical man, thinking with the wrong head.

Pushing him away, Hayley's first instinct was to reject. "You’re so superficial."

Stephen straightened, his tone casual yet piercing. "Desire is natural. At least I’m not a hypocrite like some."

His words reminded Hayley of Sam, who had feigned respect but manipulated her for years. Her heart ached again, and she fell silent.

"Have you considered it?" Stephen asked

.

Hayley didn't want to consider, but thinking of the urgent need for money, she hesitated. Her mother's medical expenses were due, and her children needed a prestigious kindergarten soon.

"Can you provide financially if we marry?" Hayley asked, all pride set aside.

Stephen looked at her, a dark gleam in his eyes. "How much do you need?"

Hayley, feeling his cool tone, blushed but said firmly, "Five hundred thousand."

"If I can’t provide that dowry, does it go to the highest bidder?" Stephen's tone was mocking.

Hayley felt mortified. "Mr. Zero, no need for sarcasm. I’m not forcing you to marry me."

Her chin lifted defiantly, irritation flickering in her eyes.

Stephen nodded. "Okay, five hundred thousand it is."

That easy? Hayley was speechless. "If there are other conditions, mention them now."

"No, I don't know your real reason for marrying me, but you can consider that money a loan, I’ll pay you back."

"No need, once given, the money is yours."

His least concern was money; he just despised worldly women. If she hadn't been of some use to him, he wouldn't have approached her.