Eva’s heart raced. She had already prepared herself to expect the worst. She was well aware of how the world worked. If you want something big, pay something big.

As Gage parted his lips, Eva held her breath.

“Marry me," he said, and Eva’s mind screeched to a halt. She could literally hear tire screeches in her mind. She was legitimately dumbfounded.

She blinked a few times before she managed a response. “Wha…what? Wait, wait!! What? You…you’re not trolling me, are you?”

“I’m not trolling you, Eva.”

Eva could only look at him in shock and helplessness.

“You…you really want to marry me? W-why?” she asked. This was just too shocking. It was so shocking that she did not even know what to say. Marriage? Seriously?

He tilted his head to the side a little. “Isn’t the answer to that question obvious?”

“You…want a wife…”

“Need a wife.” He corrected her.

“But…but why? Is it because your old man is threatening you that he won’t give your inheritance if you don’t get married as soon as possible?!” Eva blurted out. She knew that this kind of thing was very common in the upper classes of society. Many heirs were forced to get married by their family, and most of the time, these heirs could only opt for a marriage of convenience.

He tilted his head slightly again, and then he nodded. Eva was so busy with her own thoughts that she missed the peculiar look in his eyes right before he nodded.

“But…why me? I mean, I’m just a stranger. Wait…you’re just going to do this for a show, right? I mean, you’re going to marry me and then divorce me after a set time has passed once you receive what you want, am I right?” Eva’s mind just kept giving her ideas. She was not ignorant about these things. In her and Gage's world, marriages of convenience or marriages with benefits were the norm, and love…she honestly did not know if that still mattered.

This was the only explanation she could think of for why this man would want to marry her. This man, who could easily marry any rich and beautiful girl out there just based on his looks and status.

It still baffled her, though. Why on Earth would he even choose her, an unwanted nobody who possessed neither beauty nor status right now...not to mention that her name was being ruined even further at this very moment.

‘Maybe because he wants a useful woman like you?’ Her inner demoness whispered in her ear. ‘You even offered to do all the company’s work for him, after all. And it seems he already perceives that you’re a very competitive person and have all the skills to work for that position.’

‘That makes sense. Or maybe…’ Eva thought to herself. ‘He chose me because he could easily discard me when he doesn't need me anymore. I guess he might have perceived, too, that I won't be the type of woman who will cling to him. And maybe he thinks that I’m the type of woman who will sign the divorce papers without putting up any fight or complaints as long as I get my revenge.’

Eva stared at Gage intently as she thought all this through. Even though this man hadn't done anything bad to her, she would be naïve to think that he was doing this for her benefit.

“Are you…really sure? I mean of choosing me as your wife?” Eva asked. Her heart was still in chaos right now, but in all honesty, this arrangement seemed to be more beneficial for her than for him.

“Why? You think you’re not worthy enough to be hitched to a handsome man like me?” he asked with a mischievous smirk, and Eva could not help but feel her palms itch with wanting to smack him again. Why did he always love to throw her off like this?

“Of course not.” Eva replied. “I honestly think that you’d be lucky to marry a woman like me.” She lifted her chin as she said it, and Gage chuckled.

“Not bad, pet. So, that seems to be a yes, I assume?” His indolent smile widened at her posturing in front of him.

“Wait a moment…don’t you think we need to take a little more time to think this over? I mean…we should first discuss our conditions, right? I am certain you must have your own conditions for this. And I need to know them all first before I...before I make the final decision.”

“Smart girl.” Gage smiled. “However, I need to tell Mr. Park about my decision now. If I let him go back without accepting –”

“No! Wait…! I…just accept his offer now.”

“I can’t possibly do that, Eva. What if you suddenly change your mind and escape after I accept it?” Gage raised a brow.

“I won’t escape. Okay, how about…we sign a contract first? I don’t mean the marriage contract. For now, perhaps we can just sign a formal agreement on our bargain.”

“Hmm...that sounds better. Good call.” He winked at her. Then, without delay, he took his phone from his pocket and made a phone call. “I need you to make a contract for me right now,” he said to the person on the phone before glancing at Eva. “Alright, wait here, pet. I’ll go chat with Mr. Park for a bit to keep him busy while our contract is being prepared. So, while I’m speaking with him, you'd better use this opportunity to think about this all over again. Because once you sign, there will be no turning back.”

He bent and whispered in her ear. “I’m giving you this one last chance to back out, Eva.”