Getting Married Right After Discharge

Edmond gazed at her pale face. "Your solution does solve the embarrassment, but don't ever harm yourself again. Hurting yourself to hurt others is not a wise approach."

Lily clutched the paper in her hand, explaining softly, "I stepped wrong by accident."

Edmond mercilessly exposed her lie. "Nadia wanted to frame you and jumped down herself. You jumped after her to act out your amnesia."

Lily's eyes widened in shock. How does he know everything? "Did you see it?"

Lily probed, unsure how he knew Nadia jumped on her own. She didn't say anything, Aria wouldn't have told, and Nadia definitely wouldn't.

Edmond shook his head. "I didn't see it." He was resting on the third floor when Alistair called, saying Lily was in trouble, and he hurried down.

He didn't see it, but someone witnessed the whole incident.

The second floor of the club required an invitation, and the third floor was off-limits to the public, leaving only the first floor accessible. Hence, there were security guards at the elevators and staircases on the first floor.

Past midnight, while the private rooms were still chaotic, fewer people were outside. A security guard at the staircase entrance sneaked a cigarette in the hallway, thinking no one would notice.

Just as he lit his cigarette, he heard a woman talking overhead. Assuming it was just guests on the second floor chatting, he didn't pay attention and hid under the stairs to smoke.

"I was busy texting my girlfriend, trying to cheer her up after a fight, so I didn't hear what the people upstairs were saying. Suddenly, a woman shouted loudly."

"She said, 'Lily, I gave you a chance, and you didn't take it.' I was startled and looked up instinctively, seeing the woman in the black dress jump down on her own."

"I was dumbfounded, thinking she must be crazy to jump like that."

"I was about to radio for help when, suddenly, another person fell from above."

The guard didn't come forward immediately. By the time he regained his senses and was about to call for help, people had already rushed over, creating a chaotic scene with piercing screams. He calmed down instead.

Playing with his phone and smoking on duty, failing to rescue someone at the scene – these were all serious violations of security protocols.

He had pulled strings to get this job, having been on the job for less than a week. If he told the truth, he'd certainly be fired.

So, when everyone was guessing how Lily and Nadia fell, he kept silent.

Edmond saw the surveillance footage and noticed the guard entering the hallway during that period and coming out looking odd. He had the guard found.

Once located, there were ways to make him talk.

Before Lily woke up, Edmond already knew the truth.

He didn't expose the truth in front of Royce and Nadia because he wasn't sure of Lily's intentions.

The Lily he knew, even if Nadia tried to frame her, would have walked away haughtily.

Even if misunderstood, she wouldn't resort to such low tactics, wouldn't harm herself to prove her innocence.

So he kept silent, fearing he might ruin her plan.

Pretending to have memory loss solved the awkward situation, but hurting herself wasn't advisable.

It was his fault, leaving her in this predicament.

His intention was to give her ample time to calm down. He feared she wanted to marry him impulsively and hoped she'd consider it carefully. He didn't expect her to hurt herself over it.

He should have agreed to her proposal immediately.

"Are you sure you want to marry me?" His deep eyes stared directly at her.

Edmond remained silent for a few seconds before repeating, "Really won't regret it?"

"No regrets." Lily couldn't think of a reason to regret. She no longer yearned for love and could live alone.

But since she could rely on Edmond, why not? Infuriating Zoya, and tormenting Royce and Nadia – what a satisfying outcome.

She worried that Edmond might regret, so she had to reassure him.

"Uncle Edmond, we can sign an agreement. If one day you meet someone you like, or if you get tired of me, we can divorce."

"Don't worry, after the divorce, I won't take a penny from you. I'll leave clean."

She didn't seek long-term, just the present.

She was holding a grudge that only Edmond could help her resolve.

Edmond didn't respond to her last words.

"Since you won't regret it," he looked at her, his voice low and gentle, "let's get the marriage certificate when you're discharged?"

Lily was dumbfounded, "Discharged… and then get the certificate?"

"Too soon?" Edmond smiled, "When do you want to do it? I'll accommodate you."

"No, not too soon!" Lily just didn't expect him to agree so easily. "Right after discharge, that's fine with me."

Since he agreed, she must strike while the iron is hot. Time might change his mind.

Edmond went out briefly and returned with a basin of hot water and a white towel soaking in it.

"The basin and towel are clean. I can't help you now, but after we're married, I'll help you clean up."

At first, Lily didn't understand his meaning. Then, looking at the basin and his calm, lake-like black eyes, she recalled her muddled words from earlier.