Chapter 3

Chapter 3

[1]

The Morrison family's actions were swift. No sooner had I agreed to the marriage than they organized the engagement party.

Christopher and I stood stiffly on the stage, wearing forced smiles and whispering to each other.

"Christopher, don't you like Kristina? Are you okay with getting engaged to me?"

"I need you to help me pretend."

"A show? How? What do you mean?"

"Just follow my lead."

"Oh, by the way, do you like potatoes? Would you like to join the Potato Club?"

"..."

After some emotional persuasion, Christopher became the Left Guardian of the Potato Club.

I, the Potato Enthusiast, was forced to act.

We played the loving couple, with me holding onto Christopher's arm as we toasted the guests.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a tuft of blue hair.

Declan, what was he doing here?

As if sensing my confusion, Christopher explained.

"He's my brother."

Huh?

"He takes after our mother, I take after our father."

No wonder, one was a top student, the other a school bully.

Every genius has a rival.

I extended my hand with the wine glass.

Declan's expression was odd. "If you're being kidnapped, just blink."

"Didn't you say you wanted to repay me with your body? How did you end up becoming my sister-in-law? You betrayed me."

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned to Christopher.

"Bro, don't you like Kristina? Why did you find a stand-in?"

The onlookers whispered among themselves, their expressions gloating.

In this day and age, who still looked down on stand-ins?

Suppressing the urge to lash out, I kicked him.

Caught off guard, Declan fell back into a chair.

I offered him a spoonful of mashed potatoes and shoved it into his mouth.

"You..."

"Mmm, delicious, really delicious."

You're lucky. Seeing how much you like potatoes, I'll let you off this time.

[2]

Turning our attention back to Kristina.

Christopher nudged my arm and leaned in close to whisper, "You know what to do, right? The million has been transferred."

I pulled out my phone to check the message notification.

"Don't worry, boss. Just tell me what to do."

Kristina didn't seem to be in high spirits. Normally, wherever Declan was, she would be right by his side. But today, she seemed unusually downcast.

"What's wrong, sis? Are you going to miss me?" I raised my glass to toast her.

"Hmph, I can't wait for you to get married and move out," she retorted sharply.

I held Christopher's hand up in front of Kristina, playing the part of a loving couple.

"In that case, sis, you should say a few nice words and give us your best wishes, right, Christopher?"

"Yeah, we've known each other since we were kids. Now that I'm marrying your sister, it would be great if you could say something nice. Otherwise, people might think you two don't get along."

Christopher was truly cunning. He deliberately paused in the middle of his sentence, making it sound even more provocative.

I noticed Kristina's fingers turning white as she gripped her wine glass, her brows furrowing deeply.

"Fine," she said through clenched teeth. "I wish you a lifetime of happiness and eternal love. Is that good enough for you?"

With that, she ignored us and drank alone.

Christopher and I slipped away to a secluded corner, like two kids sneaking candy.

"So, did you get a read on her?"

"There's still more to investigate. Here's the plan: you do this... then that... got it?"

Christopher whispered in my ear, making it tickle, and I couldn't help but sneeze.

Just then, Declan appeared in front of me.

I felt so embarrassed I wished the ground would swallow me up, but he seemed unfazed.

"Hey, what are you guys talking about?"

"Big brother, what do you mean by suddenly getting engaged?"

"Do you really like this little brat?"

Seriously, I couldn't take it anymore.

"Stop prying into the Potato Club business."

I spoke first, dragging Declan away and giving a thumbs-up behind my back.

"What's the Potato Club? Can I join?" Declan kept pestering.