CHAPTER 13: The Civil Affairs Bureau

As I stepped out of the elevator another staff was waiting for me

'Miss Jing this way' I nod at her and made my way to Damon's Office

The moment I entered, the three men were there.

Damon Zichen – Seated at his massive desk, going through the document on the desk, but immediately I came in ...… he looked up at me .... 'He looks very handsome' I thought as my mind wandered off ;looking back at him again I seems to notice an mused glint in his eyes. But it was briefs

Caleb Wang – His assistant, holding a file in his hands.

Daniel Jiehong – His right-hand man, standing near the window with a calculating gaze.

"Lisa," Damon greeted smoothly, motioning for me to sit.

I walked forward with confidence, lowering myself onto the leather chair across from him.

Caleb placed a thick contract before me.

"This is the marriage agreement. Standard terms with a two-year clause. Look it over."

I picked it up, flipping through the pages.

Everything seemed fair—but then I saw it.

A loyalty clause.

"I can't be with anyone else during the contract period?" I raised a brow.

Damon smirked. "Of course. You're about to be my wife. I don't share."

I let out a soft laugh.

"Then you better hold up your end, too. No mistresses, no affairs."

His gaze darkened slightly, as if I had just piqued his interest further.

"Done."

I picked up the pen.

With a smooth stroke—

I signed my name.

Damon followed

Caleb closed the contract,

After finalizing the contract, Damon didn't waste any time.

We took the elevator straight to the packing garage with Celeb following us closely

A sleek black Rolls-Royce was already waiting for us outside Zichen Empire.

"Let's go," he said simply, stepping inside.

I followed, my heart steady.

No turning back now.

The ride was silent, but the air was thick with unspoken tension.

When we arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau, the staff orchard us in because they were informed.

'It was empty ... looks like he reserved the place' I thought

No waiting. No paperwork delays.

Everything had already been prepared.

A marriage certificate was placed in front of us.

"Sign here, Mr. Zichen. And here, Miss Jing."

I picked up the pen.

And with a smooth stroke, I signed my name again.

Damon did the same.

The officer stamped the documents

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Zichen."

I exhaled slowly, gripping the red booklet in my hands.

Married.

I had just become Lisa Jing Zichen.

Damon glanced at me, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Regrets?" he asked.

I met his gaze, my lips curling into a smirk of my own.

"None."

"Because this time, I was the one in control."

Or so I thought.

Damon slipped his hands into his pockets, his gaze calm yet unreadable.

"The driver will take you back. Pack your things. I'll come pick you up tonight."

I raised a brow. "Tonight?"

He nodded, his tone firm but composed.

"This is a secret marriage, Only the families know."

A secret marriage.

I clenched my fists around the red booklet, suppressing a bitter chuckle.

Of course but why do I feel disappointed 'Whatever, I can still get him' I smiled

Damon Zichen wasn't a man who let the world know his moves so easily.

But that was fine.

For now.

I slid the marriage certificate into my purse, meeting his gaze with a slight smile on my lips. "Understood."

Without another word, he turned and left, his assistant Caleb following close behind.

A black Rolls-Royce Phantom was already waiting for me outside.

I took one last glance at the Civil Affairs Bureau before stepping inside.

JING MANSION

The ride back felt both surreal and strangely empowering.

I had walked into the building as Lisa Jing.

I was leaving as Lisa Zichen.

As the car pulled up to the Jing Mansion, I took a deep breath before stepping out.

But the moment I walked through the front door—

"You ungrateful brat!"

A wine glass came flying toward me.

I barely moved in time, watching as it shattered against the marble floor.

My father, James Jing, stood in the middle of the living room, his face twisted in rage.

To his side, my stepmother, Madam Chun, had a look of fake concern, as if she hadn't just watched him throw a glass at me.

And behind them—

Ava.

Her lips were curled in a mocking smirk, but her eyes—her eyes were filled with pure hatred.

I dusted off my sleeve, unfazed. "What's the meaning of this?"

My father slammed a newspaper onto the coffee table.

"You tell me!"

My gaze flicked downward.

There, bold headlines screamed back at me.

"Damon Zichen Secretly Married? Shocking Rumors of a Low-Key Wedding!" 'only my back was visible on the Newspaper, but they knew it was me; not bad I thought

I suppressed a scoff. That was fast.

I picked up the paper, scanning it.

"Sources claim that business mogul Damon Zichen was seen at the Civil Affairs Bureau with a mysterious woman. While no official statement has been made, whispers suggest that the new Mrs. Zichen comes from a prominent family…"

Ava's nails dug into her palms. "You married Damon Zichen?"

I smirked. "You sound jealous, dear sister."

Her face flushed with rage.

"You whore!" she hissed. "How did you trick him? Did you crawl into his bed like a slut? There's no way a man like Damon Zichen would ever look at you!"

I tilted my head. "And yet…" I lifted my left hand, flashing the ring Damon had given me. "Here I am."

Madam Chun stepped forward, feigning concern. "Lisa, darling… why didn't you tell us? Marriage is a big step. Your father could have arranged something better for you—"

I laughed. "Better? Who is better than Mr. Damon? Or You mean like the way you arranged my fiancé, Zhang Gary, for Ava?"

She stiffened.

Gotcha.

My father pointed a finger at me. "I forbid this! You will divorce him immediately!"

I sighed, shaking my head. "You're forgetting something, Father."

His eyes narrowed. "And what is that?"

I met his gaze with unwavering confidence.

"I'm no longer Lisa Jing. I'm Lisa Zichen. And that means…"

I stepped closer, lowering my voice so only he could hear.

"You no longer have control over me."

For the first time, James Jing hesitated.

Good.

I smiled and turned toward the staircase. "I'll be packing my things. My husband will be here soon."

As I ascended the stairs, I could still hear Ava's enraged voice, my father's frustration, and my stepmother's attempts to calm them down.

But none of it mattered anymore.

I had played my first move.

And it was checkmate.