Chapter 2 An Unexpected Turn

Scarlett hesitated, her lips pursed, uncertain about the situation she found herself in.

She never imagined becoming an actual couple with Ethan. Her intentions were solely to fulfill Nicola's wish, not to find herself sharing a place with a stranger.

But then again, if Nicola woke up and discovered she was married but living separately from her supposed husband, how could she explain that?

After a few moments of pondering, she accepted the money.

"Okay," she replied, deciding to try and adjust to the idea of being married to him.

As for the money he gave her, she figured she could buy something for him with it.

Anything she needed, she could handle with her finances.

It seemed prudent to maintain clear boundaries in certain aspects, even if they would be sharing a home.

With her decision made, Scarlett hastily rode her electric scooter home, packed her belongings, and headed to the underground parking lot with her suitcase, intending to drive to Ethan's place.

However, upon seeing a line of flashy supercars in the parking lot, she couldn't help but question the taste of her teacher and her fellow students once again.

Their design work could easily be adored by many, but their choice of cars was certainly unique.

Shaking her head, Scarlett opted for a taxi instead.

Standing outside Room 1601 with her suitcase, Scarlett hesitated.

Ethan hadn't given her the door password.

She furrowed her brow and messaged Ethan.

"Mr. Dixon, what's your door password?"

After waiting for five minutes with no response, Scarlett tried calling Ethan.

However, the phone rang a few times before being disconnected.

Scarlett raised an eyebrow, guessing he must be busy, and decided not to bother him further.

With her suitcase in tow, she turned around and left, intending to catch a cab home.

Meanwhile, Ethan, after hanging up on the unknown caller, handed his phone to his assistant, Greg Jenkins, with a frown. "Handle this. Why am I getting calls from an unknown number?"

"Got it."

Greg took the phone and left the meeting room.

As Ethan turned his attention back to the meeting, the topic shifted to Alva. "Have you found Alva's whereabouts?"

"We've confirmed that Alva is in Pradset, but we still haven't pinpointed their exact identity or location. Alva is incredibly elusive, making it hard to determine whether they're a man or a woman."

"Keep searching," Ethan instructed, tapping his fingers on the table. "The resort is crucial for the transformation of the chain hotels under Cosmos Group. Alva's design style aligns perfectly with our future plans. We need to persuade them to join us."

"Yes, Mr. Dixon. We'll find them as soon as possible."

Ethan nodded and then moved on to the next topic.

In the hallway, Greg added the unknown number to the blacklist and prepared to contact the telecommunications company.

But before he could do so, he noticed an unread message and clicked on it.

The profile photo caught his attention-it was Alva's first famous design.

The sender was Scarlett, who had recently married Ethan.

Ethan was interested in collaborating with Alva because of this profile photo.

Reading Scarlett's message, Greg replied promptly, "906386. You can input your fingerprints after unlocking it."

Ethan had Greg buy an apartment at Horizon Apartments after agreeing to marry Scarlett to hide his identity from her.

Greg was in charge of everything regarding the apartment, so the password was naturally familiar to him.

Meanwhile, Scarlett had just opened her taxi app when she received Greg's message.

She sighed and turned back to the apartment.

Entering the door, she was greeted by the sleek, impersonal decor.

She took off her shoes and walked around barefoot, noticing the decor. "Well, the style very much reflects Ethan!" she mused.

It looked good, but it felt cold and unwelcoming, unlike a real home.

It seemed that...

Scarlett grinned as she looked around the massive black and white room. It looked like an office to her.

After a quick inspection, Scarlett formulated a plan. Putting her shoes back on, she added her fingerprint, closed the door, and left.

Ethan remained busy until nearly nine in the evening.

Once he finished the last document, he stretched and instructed, "Greg, go get the car ready."

"Yes, Mr. Dixon." Greg turned around, headed for the door, then paused. "Oh, Mrs. Dixon... Ms. Knight sent a text asking about the apartment's password earlier. Guess she's moved in there. Do you want to swing by and check it out?"

Ethan paused for a while and replied, "Yes."

Greg nodded back and dashed off to prepare the car.

When Ethan got to the ground floor, he was greeted by snowfall.

Pradset nights brought a chill sharper than daytime. The wind bit at his skin as if trying to steal it away.

He scrunched his brows, thoughts drifting to Scarlett's slender figure.

The cold was biting tonight. Scarlett must've been freezing riding her electric scooter through this snow and wind.

When Greg pulled up with the car, he saw Ethan lost in thought, staring at the snowfall.

Ethan's usually handsome face looked colder than the snow itself, giving Greg a pang of worry. Whoever Ethan was thinking about would perhaps soon be going through a tough time.

"Greg, get another car," Ethan said as he settled into the back of the Maybach. "Around a hundred grand, something suitable for a lady." His voice barely carried over the wind.

A moment later, Greg pieced together that the car was for Scarlett.

The car cruised steadily through the snow. Half an hour later, they pulled into the underground garage of Building 6, Horizon Apartments.

Ethan stepped out of the car. "You don't need to pick me up tomorrow morning."

"Understood, Mr. Dixon."

Entering the apartment, Ethan found Scarlett emerging from the kitchen, holding a bowl of steaming noodles in her loungewear.

When their eyes met, the two of them got lost in the moment.

Scarlett hadn't expected him back so soon. After all, he'd mentioned a late return due to a packed schedule. So she'd just made noodles for herself.

She didn't make dinner for him.

Ethan surveyed the apartment, noting the changes. It felt unfamiliar.

His frown deepened as he glanced at the small ornaments she'd carefully chosen that afternoon. He didn't seem pleased.

She hesitated before explaining, "I'm sorry. You said to pick out things myself, so... If you don't like them, I can put them away."

"Don't bother. Just leave them," he replied, his tone cold, masking his feelings.

An unsettling silence ensued between them. Scarlett focused on the noodles in her hands. "Um, Mr. Dixon..."

"Ethan!"

"What?" Scarlett blinked, thrown for a loop there.

Ethan met her gaze. "Just Ethan. Not Mr. Dixon. That sounds too distant!"

After a pause, he added with a furrowed brow, "Or would you rather your husband call you Ms. Knight?"

That was when it clicked.

They were married now.

How could they address each other as Mr. Dixon and Ms. Knight?

"Okay." Scarlett lowered her head. "Ethan, have you had dinner?"

It was just a change in addressing each other. There wasn't a difference between Mr. Dixon and Ethan.

When he blurted out a "No," he surprised himself.

He had eaten the takeout ordered by Greg.