Leo stared sharply at the woman sitting before him, her head bowed. Reluctant to lift her head, she seemed as though the man before her might pounce on her the moment their eyes met.

A tense silence enveloped them for over ten minutes, and neither seemed willing to utter a single word. This situation caused the woman to clench her fingers on her lap, which had become increasingly sweaty.

"Different," Leo finally spoke, causing the woman to raise her head and meet his intense gaze. However, within a few seconds, she lowered her head again, contemplating the words the man in front of her had spoken.

"Different? What's different?" Leo continued.

"It turns out the sorceress is getting smarter," he said again, followed by a sarcastic smile.

"Apparently, she changed her tactics. After her plan failed by involving a cunning woman, she presented a modest lady for me this time."

Leo's words continued, causing the woman before him to tightly clench her fingers, her body trembling, and her eyes welling up with tears. Her heart raced and ached. It was the first time anyone had referred to her like this, and worse yet, her prospective husband called her that.

"Raise your head!" Leo's cold, flat tone demanded, prompting the woman to swallow her saliva and slowly lift her head.

"What's your name?"

"Alana," she whispered as if speaking in a hushed tone.

"So, what mission did she give you?"

Mission? What mission?

Alana furrowed her brow, clearly not understanding.

"Was your mission to kill me?" Leo guessed, causing the furrow on Alana's brow to disappear, replaced by widened eyes. She vigorously shook her head.

"I didn't—"

"Then what task did she assign you?" Leo interrupted.

"Aunt Rose only said that she would arrange a marriage between me and her son," Alana explained, her voice as quiet as possible.

"Whose son did she mention?"

Alana bit her lower lip before answering Leo's question.

"Someone named Leo Smith," Alana replied, prompting a cynical chuckle from Leo.

"It's me," Leo said, pointing to himself.

"He's not my biological mother, just so you know," Leo continued, his cold expression returning.

"Yes, I know," Alana thought to herself.

"So, it's better if you ask that woman again who exactly she was referring to as her son."

"I know you're not Aunt Rose's biological child, but she mentioned your name," Alana answered, mustering her courage despite her racing heart.

"Then am I supposed to accept you as my wife?" Leo asked, staring intensely at Alana. Her fear and nervousness increased, and she slowly nodded her head.

"Stand up!" Leo's firm command made Alana immediately straighten her posture and stand before him.

Leo carefully scrutinized Alana from head to toe. He knew that Alana's appearance differed from the previous women Rose had sent as potential wives. Most were beautiful and glamorous, radiating luxury, whereas Alana had a simple and modest appearance. Leo had to admit that Alana possessed a subtle sweetness about her.

"Why should I accept you? What qualities do you possess?"

Leo inquired, causing Alana to furrow her brow once again.

"I feel like I'm about to apply for a job," Alana thought.

"I will take good care of you."

"In that case, just be my servant."

"What? A ma-maid?" Alana stammered.

"Didn't you mention earlier that a maid could do it?" Leo replied, causing Alana to clutch the side of her simple white dress.

A few moments of silence ensued, and Leo could see the fear and growing confusion in Alana's expression. But Leo's subsequent words deepened her furrowed brow even more.

"Forget it. Just tell the sorceress to set the wedding date," Leo said, receiving an immediate protest from his secretary and friend, Pedro.

"But sir—"

"Just take me back to my office, Pedro," Leo interrupted, silencing Pedro. Annoyed, Pedro pushed Leo's wheelchair back to his office, leaving a different place behind.

"How was your meeting? Enjoyable?" Rose asked as Alana slumped onto the sofa, massaging the bridge of her nose. Rose sat beside Alana, waiting for her distant niece's response.

"Hey, answer. Aunt is waiting," Rose said, shaking Alana's shoulder. Alana turned her head towards Rose with a frustrated expression.

"Can't you see my frustrated face?"

"No."

"Oh, come on, Aunt. You just threw me into the lion's den. I nearly died just standing there from his gaze alone," Alana complained, genuinely feeling that way.

"And you know what? My fear escalated when he agreed to this arranged marriage," Alana continued, massaging her nose bridge again. However, Rose had a beaming smile on her face.

"Really? Are you pulling my leg, Alana? It isn't April Fools."

"Do you think I'm in a mood to joke right now?" After Alana finished her sentence, Rose suddenly shrieked beside Alana's ear while hugging her.

"Kya, he's finally willing to get married!" Rose exclaimed joyfully, shaking Alana's small frame.

"Aunt, stop shaking me!" Alana exclaimed, trying to release herself from Rose's embrace.

"So, when are you going to get married?"

"He left it to Aunt to decide," Alana replied lazily.

"Is that so? In that case, you two will get married next week."

"What!" Alana exclaimed in disbelief.

"Why?"

"Are you kidding me?"

"Do you think Aunt is in the mood to joke right now?" Rose replied, turning Alana's words around, causing Alana to squint her eyes at Rose.

"What's your real plan, Aunt?" Alana asked her tone now serious.

"What do you mean? Aunt wants you to be his wife."

"Come on, don't pretend in front of me. Even accused me of having a mission to kill him. How bad is the relationship between you two?" Alana asked out of curiosity.

Of course, because two weeks ago, Rose suddenly visited her family, whom she hadn't seen in over ten years. Just as suddenly, Rose asked for permission from Alana's father, who was also Rose's cousin, to arrange a marriage between Alana and her stepson. That was the only story Alana knew from her father. She didn't know why her father readily agreed and allowed Rose to take her away. Was she burdening her father and brother so much that they quickly sent her to Rose?

"There's no mission whatsoever. You need to be a good wife to him and serve him with all your heart," Rose replied, interrupting Alana's momentary daydream.

"But he—"

"He's disabled," Rose interjected.

Yes.

"No, he sees me as prey, ready to pounce on me at any moment."

"That's because you appear weak in front of him. Just be yourself and win his heart," Rose advised.