With

Chapter 27

“Since you’ve gotten married, you’ll be getting a new house and car soon, right?” another colleague asked teasingly.

With a worried expression, Calla replied, “My husband’s family isn’t that well–off, and property in Riverford is so expensive. For the time being, we still have to rent a place.”

After hearing this, her colleagues no longer viewed her in derision like they did yesterday. Instead, they started giving her sympathetic looks.

Calla was secretly pleased that she managed to overcome the crisis of having her reputation ruined.

Alicia, who had been quiet thus far, waited until she had the chance to pull Calla away and talk to her in private.

“Why did you come up with that story? Did you find yourself a man? Is it that Harlan guy you mentioned? Is he doing this willingly, or did you force him into it?” Alicia peppered Calla with questions.

“Don’t say such ridiculous things. I really am married.”

Calla filled Alicia in on what happened yesterday, and Alicia was stupefied. After processing the news, she smacked Calla on the shoulder and squealed, “Your luck has changed, Calla!”

Laughing, Calla corrected her, saying, “I’m still drowning in misfortunes, okay?”

“Regardless of how it happened, you’re still legally married to the Scrooge now. If you just do your best to please him, maybe you’ll benefit a lot from the situation!” Alicia declared with a grin.

“Do you think he’s a fool? Didn’t I tell you about the prenuptial agreement? He has it all planned out,” Calla said. For some reason, the thought of that agreement made her feel

upset.

“At the very least, someone is supporting you and your child financially now. Plus, even if you get a divorce, you’ll get a house and some cash too. Why didn’t something like this happen to me? Even if we forget about the house and money, I still wouldn’t mind sleeping with him,” Alicia groused with a vexed expression.

“If you’re so keen to get a piece of him, why don’t I create an opportunity for you to give it a shot?” Calla teased Alicia.

“Oh, hush. Do you think I’d steal my friend’s husband? I may be taken with his good

looks, but I’m not the kind of person who’d be a homewrecker,” Alicia staunchly declared.

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+15 BONUS

“You’re a woman of principle, alright,” Calla agreed in amusement.

For an entire week, Mercer didn’t get in touch with Calla. She recalled that on the day they got married, he said he would contact her later. Now that she realized he probably didn’t mean it, she thought it was very silly of her to have believed him then.

In the afternoon, Calla abruptly received a call from Harlan.

“Why haven’t you contacted me after so long?” Harlan asked.

“I’ve been… busy lately,” Calla said. Ever since she got married, she didn’t contact Harlan at all. Not wanting to keep him from finding a girlfriend, she had been meaning to let him know she was married. She simply hadn’t found the right opportunity yet.

“Are

you

free for lunch then? I’ll be in the area near your office during lunch today,” Harlan said, inviting Calla out for lunch.

“Sure,” Calla agreed right away. She could use this chance to clarify things with Harlan.

“Let’s meet at the steakhouse in your office building at noon today. See you then!” Harlan said before ending the call.

Calla glanced to the side and saw a few nosy female colleagues. They started staring at her the moment she took the call.

Throughout the last few days, they kept asking her why her husband didn’t come over to pick her up from work, and why she didn’t even receive a call from him. Obviously, they thought she was lying about being married just to make it seem less scandalous that she was pregnant.

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