1 Chapter 1: The New Bride of a Shotgun Marriage

At nine o'clock, the night was intoxicating.

Monica Baldwin had a few drinks at the bachelor party, so she was taken back to the apartment by her fiance. When she woke up with a splitting headache, however, she saw a couple passionately kissing in the dim light.

Monica felt as if she had been struck by lightning, staring blankly as the couple kissed passionately beside her bed, her anger instantly boiling over.

"Arianne, behave yourself, Monica just fell asleep!" the man restrainedly murmured, his hand on the woman's waist.

"What? Afraid your fiancee will wake up?" Arianne Chadwick sneered, "You are getting married tomorrow, just give me this one night!"

"Sweetie, stop, let's move to the other room!" The man lured her seductively.

"No, I want to do it here! In her presence!" Arianne hastily unbuttoned the man's shirt, and the two kissed passionately again.

Monica held back tears. She had never imagined that her fiance, who was to register their marriage tomorrow, would be having an affair with his mistress right in front of her.

"Sweetheart, shall we move to the bathroom? Don't you love doing it in the bathtub?"

"Then you go fill the tub first!" Arianne pushed on the man's chest, and only after he left did she approach Monica, sneering coldly, "Monica, tomorrow, I won't let Nathaniel have a chance to register the marriage with you, because I'm pregnant. He's mine!"

Monica clenched her fists, restraining herself from making a sound until she heard the passion-filled groans coming from the bathroom. She felt utterly shattered.

Three years ago, she was the top model in Silverton. But she gave it all up for this man, and let Arianne Chadwick occupy her place as the top model. It seemed that she had simply been making sacrifices for others. No, she was just dreaming; it was a nightmare that would pass once she woke up.

Monica tried to deceive herself. However, by midnight, Arianne was feeling unwell and clung to Nathaniel Hanson, convincing him to leave the hotel, and he just abandoned Monica!

But aren't they registering their marriage tomorrow!

With a bitter smile on her face, Monica followed the original plan the next morning. She drove to the Civil Affairs Bureau and called Nathaniel after getting off the car but got a cold response: "Arianne was injured by a stage prop. I have to deal with this urgent matter first. We can register another day."

There won't be another day! Monica reminded herself desperately in her heart.

Monica turned around, put on her sunglasses about to leave, but a tall figure was approaching her. This man was wearing a dark blue, vintage suit that accentuated his muscular physique. A burgundy scarf peeked from his breast pocket. His straight, slender legs were complemented by shiny, brown pointed shoes.

This man... exerted an oppressive aura, akin to a noble emperor from the Middle Ages!

Especially as he came closer. Even with his sunglasses on... that chiseled masculine face, and his sexy, thin lips could drive anyone crazy.

Monica recognized this man. He was Victor Chadwick, the president of Ocean Entertainment. They met at a ball when she was still famous.

Is he getting married today too?

"President, Miss Bailey didn't arrive in time... she's 10 minutes late!" The assistant respectfully reported.

"Call the Pondfield Clan and tell them it's over for someone who can't even be punctual for her own wedding." Victor spoke coldly.

"But Chairman said that you have to get married today, even if you have to marry a transvestite..." the assistant stuttered shyly.

"Pick a random debutante. You only have half an hour..." Victor spoke decisively, expressing a certain indifference.

So... Misery loves company. But the circumstances differed. Victor had all the money in the world, and snatching anyone easily. As a diamond bachelor, the last thing he needed was love. He just had to pull off a marriage to appease his family.

Suddenly, Monica had an idea. She removed her sunglasses, approached Victor, and whispered, "Boss Chadwick, your bride isn't here, my groom ran off, how about... we combine our weddings?"

Victor's assistant froze - how daring this woman was...

But Monica stood straight because she summoned all her courage.

Victor took off his sunglasses, revealing his dark eyes, glowing sharply like diamonds. After a moment, he turned to his assistant and asked, "Give me her profile!"

The assistant definitely knew Monica's identity and immediately searched up Monica's name on his mobile phone. Two minutes later, Victor slightly opened his lips and softly agreed.

Monica felt that it was her luck to run into Victor, who had no need to exploit women, wasn't searching for love, and certainly did not lack bedmates.

And most importantly, she wanted Nathaniel to regret it!

The pair finished their marriage registration quickly. Half an hour later, Monica received their marriage certificate, and she became a married woman.

"Boss Chadwick, can you spare some time for me to say a few words?" Monica asked.

"Get in the car!" Victor replied, putting his sunglasses back on, and left the registry office.

Monica followed Victor closely. As she got into the Rolls-Royce, she nervously looked at Victor and said, "Thank you for marrying me. I will cooperate unconditionally with anything you need. But there are two conditions - I hope you can agree to them."

"Speak!" Victor relaxed his suit, a tad tired.

"First, do not publicly disclose our marriage unless necessary. Second, do not interfere in my private matters. Don't worry. Now that we're married, I won't have excessive contact with other men."

Victor listened to Monica's terms and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. A dangerous aura permeated the car and he agreed: "I promise you... but, I'll give you some time to clean up your messy past. Let's try living together for six months... After that, I'll announce our marriage publicly."

"Thank you!" Monica nodded.

"Also... I am not in favor of a married couple living separately! I'll give you three days to move to the designated place. My assistant will contact you afterward!"

Monica did not object. As a married couple, this request was quite reasonable, so she nodded obediently: "I agree to your terms!"

"That's settled, then!"

After their verbal agreement, Monica left Victor's car and was replaced by the assistant. The assistant glanced at Victor through the rearview mirror and asked, "President, should we head back to the company, or should we first return to the mansion to inform the chairman?"

"Follow Monica in your car, and keep me informed of her whereabouts," Victor instructed his assistant, then got out of the car.

Something must be going on if she suddenly proposed marriage.

As the president of a multinational entertainment company, he wasn't unfamiliar with the name Monica Baldwin. She was once a prominent figure in the modeling world. But three years ago, Monica suddenly turned down an offer from Star Emperor, a top modeling agency, leading to a complete ban. Later, she announced that she signed with Sonora Entertainment and was closely associated with its boss, Nathaniel Hanson.