Chapter 16: Giving You All the Love and Pampering You Desire

Recalling last night's events, the look in his eyes became scorching as he watched her.

As Joanna Lawrence met his gaze, her heart rate sped up, and she felt a sudden panic.

Desire and possessiveness filled the man's eyes as if she was already his prey.

She even had the illusion that he had everything under control and knew she would come to beg him today.

"Mr. Ashton."

She bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and then looked at him: "Aside from marrying you, I can agree to any other demands..."

Before she could finish her sentence, he interrupted coldly, "Then we have nothing more to talk about. You can leave."

Joanna clenched her fists.

She remained standing motionless.

Ashton Heath didn't force her to leave either.

Both were silent.

After a moment, Joanna took a deep breath, her voice trembling: "If I marry you, will you have the surgery for Jeremy?"

Ashton Heath narrowed his eyes: "You agree?"

Joanna smiled bitterly: "Isn't that what Mr. Ashton wants? As long as you can cure Jeremy, I... I'm willing to marry you."

Seeing her face filled with bitterness and helplessness, Ashton's eyebrows furrowed, his expression displeased.

He walked towards her.

Stretching out his hands, he gently pressed them on her frail shoulders. His deep black eyes showed an uncharacteristic seriousness, each word like a guarantee and a promise: "Marry me, and I promise you won't regret it. I'll do everything I can to give you all the love and pampering you desire. From now on, we share both honor and disgrace."

*

Obtaining the marriage certificate was quick.

At the Civil Affairs Bureau, someone was already waiting outside to receive them.

With the dedicated service, their marriage certificate was ready within minutes.

As they left the Civil Affairs Bureau,

Joanna stared at the red booklet in her hand, feeling utterly dazed.

It was as if she were dreaming.

Had she really... married just like that?

The event she had fantasized about and looked forward to a million times was completed under such circumstances.

*

Once in the car,

Joanna still appeared as if she were in a dream, her face dazed.

At her side, her newlywed husband, Ashton Heath, turned his head and glanced at her: "Joanna, don't act like you've been wronged. You married a handsome and rich husband who will pamper you in every way; you're not at a loss."

Although it was clear that he had deliberately orchestrated this marriage, seeing her distraught expression still made him feel uncomfortable.

Joanna listened to his words and turned her head.

His side profile was also extremely handsome, his eyes half-closed, and the top buttons of his high-quality black shirt undone, revealing a sexy collarbone.

Against the light, his handsome features appeared even more profound and three-dimensional, with his Adam's apple exuding sexiness amid the strong air of abstinence.

Undeniably, he was very good-looking.

And, he was very rich.

At first, she thought he was one of Heath Group's senior executives.

However, only now did she realize that his status was far more prestigious than she had imagined.

He was the President of the Heath Group, and the sole heir to the top wealthy family, the Heath.

The Benington family could also be considered among the noble families of Closia, but ten Benington families could not compare to the Heath family.

Objectively speaking, it was she who had taken advantage in this marriage.

The disparity between them was vast, and they should have been two completely separate social classes. He should have looked for a well-bred lady of equal social and economic status as a wife, not an ordinary person like her, whose family's status had waned.

Thinking of this, Joanna pursed her lips and said nothing.

"Mr. Ashton, Ms. Joanna. Are we heading back to the company now?"