Accept reality...

Lucian ended the call with a slow, deliberate movement as he suppressed the anger raging in his chest.

His fingers tightening lightly around the phone before he set it down on the desk. His eyes, cold as ice, flickered toward Bryan, who stood stiffly in place.

"Speak," Lucian commanded, his voice deceptively calm.

Bryan hesitated for a brief second before swallowing and launching into an explanation about the series of events that happened at the marriage registration centre.

Lucian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "And where is she now?"

Bryan shifted on his feet. "I dropped her off near the company. She said she didn't want her colleagues asking too many questions. Also, she doesn't know who you are, Boss."

Lucian's gaze flickered lightly with a complicated emotion, but his lips curled in amusement. "She signed a marriage certificate without knowing the groom's name?"

Bryan nodded. "It seems so. But that aside, I think there's a need to investigate what brought her to the marriage registration office in the first place."

Lucian's fingers tapped rhythmically against his desk. "Isn't that your job, do I need to tell you your job?"

Bryan straightened. "No, sir. I'll look into it."

Lucian studied him for a long moment before speaking again. "What else?"

Bryan hesitated. "She… she mentioned she is working here at Sterling Group. In the design department."

Lucian's brows lifted slightly, a flicker of intrigue flashing across his features. "Here?"

Bryan gave a firm nod. "Yes, sir. And she also said she'd be staying with a friend named Mario for a few days before…" He trailed off, uncertain of how to continue.

"Before what?" Lucian's voice was quiet but held an edge that made Bryan's pulse quicken.

"Before coming home," Bryan finished. "She said she needed time… to accept reality."

Lucian let out a slow chuckle nodding his head. "Accept reality?" His gaze turned sharp. "She doesn't need to accept anything. She already is my wife legally and it has to be that way."

Bryan said nothing, sensing that his boss wasn't finished.

Lucian exhaled slowly, his fingers threading together contemplatively. Then, with a decisive tilt of his head, he looked at Bryan.

"Find out everything about her," he ordered. "Her past, her connections, and most importantly—why she was there this morning."

Bryan gave a sharp nod. "Understood, sir."

Lucian's gaze flickered toward the large window overlooking the city. "And one more thing," he murmured.

"Yes, sir?"

Lucian's fingers drummed lightly against the desk, his sharp gaze never leaving Bryan. His voice was calm but firm as he added, "She is not staying at any friend's place."

Bryan's brows furrowed slightly. "Sir?"

"I need to keep her close, she is married, she is married," Lucian continued. "Arrange for her to live in the Villa at the Zenith Estate."

Bryan hesitated before nodding. His thought racing "Zenith villa has always been his favourite location but now he is giving it out, does that mean... "Understood."he answered in between his thought.

Lucian leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Instruct the personnel to send her to me as a personal assistant. She should report here before noon today."

Bryan's confusion deepened. "You're making her your assistant?"

Lucian's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "She signed the marriage papers without knowing who I am. Let's see how long it takes before she figures it out."

Bryan still wasn't sure where this was headed. "But sir, aren't you going to live with her?"

Lucian's expression turned unreadable. "No. I don't live with her." He leaned back, his tone turning slightly amused. "But make sure the CCTV in the villa is working. I want her security ensured, and…" His eyes darkened slightly. "No one must know her location."

Bryan took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll handle it."

Lucian's gaze flickered toward the clock. "Good. I will only see her in the office until the right time."

Bryan didn't know what his boss was planning, but one thing was clear—Scarlet Winter was in for a game she wasn't prepared for.

Lucian exhaled slowly, a smirk playing on his lips as he leaned back in his chair. "Alright. Since the mistake has been made, I'll live with it." He said as though he is talking about the weather.

Bryan sighed in relief, he was prepared should his mistake cause him his life but seems Scarlet Winter is his lucky ticket.

His fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk, his mind already calculating the next steps.

Bryan, still trying to gauge his boss's reaction, cautiously asked, "So, what now?"

Lucian let out a low chuckle. "I'll inform my grandfather that I'm married, but unfortunately, it's not what they hoped for." He shrugged his shoulders as if shaking off a burden. "Finally, I don't have to deal with an arrogant daughter who thinks the world revolves around her."

Bryan's lips twitched at the obvious relief in his boss's tone. "So, you're… okay with this?"

Lucian's eyes glinted with something unreadable. "Let's just say, I'll make the most of the situation." He steepled his fingers. "Besides, Scarlet Roberts isn't simple.

Bryan exhaled. "And if she finds out the truth?"

Lucian's smirk deepened his fingers drummed lightly against the desk as he exhaled. His decision was made. There was no going back now.

"We take it one thing at a time," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Just make sure she is comfortable."

Bryan nodded. "Understood. I'll arrange everything at the Zenith estate. She'll have everything she needs."

Lucian leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze locking onto Bryan. "And make sure she doesn't suspect anything. She still believes she signed that marriage certificate for someone else. Let her keep thinking that for now."

Bryan hesitated for a brief second before nodding. "Got it. I'll also ensure security is tight around her."

Scarlet stepped into her office, her limbs heavy with exhaustion. She sank into her chair, rubbing her temples as a wave of hunger gnawed at her stomach.

"How I wish I had followed Bryan for breakfast this morning," she thought bitterly. But she hadn't been in the mood to eat, not with everything that had happened.

Just as she leaned back, her office door swung open, and Mario strode in, her sharp eyes scanning Scarlet's face. "Scarlet, are you okay?" she asked, concern laced in her voice. "You look drained."

Scarlet managed a weak smile. "I'm fine, just… a lot happened this morning."

Mario frowned and crossed her arms. "Don't give me that. You look like you haven't had a proper meal in days. What's going on?"