Chapter 1 Posing As A Boyfriend

In Neburgh, Erik Griffiths emerged from the train station, surrounded by the hum of a busy crowd.

With a cigarette in hand, he took a long inhale, the rising smoke obscuring half of his face.

"Finally back..." he whispered, glancing around.

Vehicles zipped along the nearby road, while crowds of pedestrians navigated the crosswalks, merging and scattering from every direction.

Chic young women, their arms laden with shopping spoils, streamed in and out of the mall, their laughter and joyful expressions lighting up the area.

This cheerful scene brought a quiet smile to Erik's face.

There was an unmistakable ease about him, as if a hint of laziness had settled into his posture.

He discarded his finished cigarette and strolled toward the curb to catch a taxi.

Just then, a red luxury car halted abruptly in front of him, its window descending smoothly.

A calm voice from within called out, "Get in!"

Huh?

Erik's brow creased in confusion.

He hadn't told a soul he was back, and honestly, he had no friends in Neburgh anyway.

Who was this individual?

Intrigued, he leaned closer to get a better look inside the vehicle and was instantly struck by the sight.

In the driver's seat, a woman dressed in stylish clothes sat confidently.

She was breathtakingly beautiful.

Dark sunglasses shielded her eyes, adding mystery to her already striking features that peeked out from beneath long, flowing hair.

Her presence was commanding, her aura undeniable and her appeal utterly enchanting.

She seemed nothing less than a goddess.

Erik couldn't help but gaze in awe.

Throughout his life, he had encountered numerous women, yet she stood out as uniquely mesmerizing.

"I'm Kimberly Fowler. What are you waiting for? Come on, get in!"

As Erik remained frozen in place, her brow creased, her voice sharpening with a hint of annoyance.

Kimberly Fowler?

Erik didn't recognize the name.

His confusion deepened, though he masked his reaction.

He was eager to figure out the game she was playing.

Without a second thought, he slipped into the car and settled into the passenger seat.

The moment the door clicked shut, Kimberly started the car with impatience.

Her voice was cold as she said, "You're Caden Smith, Lana's cousin, correct? I won't go over my situation again since you should already be aware of it. Lana told me a bit about yours, but just remember-when you meet my family as my boyfriend, tell them you've just returned from military service. Is that clear?"

She quickly briefed him with key details.

Erik's eyebrow arched as he grasped the situation.

It seemed he had unwittingly become part of a scheme to pose as a boyfriend.

Wasn't this something from a drama?

"You seem to be mistaken, Miss Fowler..."

Despite her allure, Erik was intent on clarifying his stance, maintaining his honesty.

However, Kimberly cut him off before he could explain.

"There's no mistake," she retorted.

After a brief pause, she explained, "Don't worry. I'll stick to my word. I've drafted an agreement-you will receive one hundred thousand each month as payment."

With that, she extended a bank card toward him.

A harsh cough racked Erik's chest, but he took the card without the slightest pause.

He flashed a wide grin and said, "No problem at all. Whatever you need, I'll take care of it."

A subtle smile played on Kimberly's lips, tinged with a trace of scorn that vanished as swiftly as it appeared.

Erik wasn't bothered; curiosity flashed across his face as he asked, "Miss Fowler, how did you know who I was?"

With a brief glance, Kimberly responded indifferently, "You're quite tall, dressed in a white shirt and blue trousers, just like Lana described. You were noticeable."

"I see." Erik gave a nod, admiration clear on his face as he continued, "Miss Fowler..."

However, Kimberly interjected, "When we're around my family, call me Kimberly. Make sure to get it right."

"Okay." Erik acknowledged with another nod, then asked, "Are we headed to your place now? Do we need to pick up any gifts?"

"That won't be necessary." With a fleeting look of resignation, Kimberly sighed. "We're going to the hospital."

Silence settled between them as Erik processed the information.

The remainder of the drive passed without conversation, and they soon reached Suncrest Medical Center.

Known for its excellent reputation, Suncrest Medical Center attracted leading medical professionals from both home and abroad, as well as rich patients.

The hospital offered VIP suites comparable to those found in five-star hotels.

"As we enter, remember, they mustn't suspect a thing."

Kimberly issued another reminder as they exited the vehicle, her gaze evaluating the poised young man at her side.

He had been a sensible choice by her friend Lana Evans, possessing a decent appearance.

He was a tall man with a lean frame. His looks were not strikingly handsome but were notably sharp and exuded both confidence and appeal.

Whenever he spoke, dimples framed his smile, enhancing the allure of his bright teeth.

However, Kimberly barely found him acceptable if he were to be her real boyfriend.

Had it not been for Lana's urging and the fact that he was related to Lana, she might have dismissed the idea entirely.

"Don't worry about it," Erik said with assurance, before his curiosity got the better of him. "Miss Fowler, with someone like you, there must be no shortage of suitors. Why..."

"That's none of your concern! Stop being so nosy," Kimberly retorted sharply, interrupting him as she strode ahead.

After taking a few steps, she abruptly paused and, in a lowered voice, murmured, "Some acquaintances of mine are right over there."

At her words, Erik followed her gaze and spotted a young man and woman standing at the hospital entrance.

They noticed them too.

"Kimberly, there you are," the young man, Harold Lawson, said from afar.

Harold looked to be in his mid-twenties, his features striking and his face lit up with a cheerful smile. He exuded an undeniable sense of confidence and charm.

The woman next to him, his sister Noreen Lawson, who appeared to be in her early twenties and was dressed attractively, beamed at seeing Kimberly. "Kimberly, what took you so long? I've been waiting here for ages."

Both seemed to disregard Erik, their attention fixed on Kimberly.

Kimberly gave a small nod and smiled at Noreen. "Noreen, what brings you by?"

"Noreen wanted to see you, Kimberly. I stopped by to check on Eduardo, and he's doing fine. There's no need to worry too much," Harold interjected with a polite smile.

Noreen added, "Exactly. Eduardo has been sick, and my brother was so concerned that he called in Dr. Lambert from Clanta, a renowned expert, to consult."