Chapter 2 Go And Get Our Marriage Certificate

"Hey, I'm going to marry him, so why are you screaming like that? Do you have a problem with it?"

Adeline pressed the knife against Elijah's throat as she shot the question at his assistant.

"I..." Phillip stuttered.

Adeline rolled her eyes in annoyance. He couldn't even string words together.

Just as Adeline was distracted, she suddenly felt a strong force overpowering her.

"Ah!"

It was Elijah.

Though he had seemed calm and passive, Elijah had been waiting patiently for the right moment. In an instant, he overpowered her, snatched the knife from her hand, and pinned her down against the table, completely immobilizing her.

"Elijah, you're playing dirty!" Adeline shouted.

Although she looked plump, she was no match for his strength.

Elijah frowned with suspicion, eyes narrowing as he severed the tie.

He felt a wave of satisfaction at getting back at her. Staring at the plump woman before him, he showed no kindness and ridiculed her without hesitation. "Weren't you also playing dirty a moment ago?"

With that, he prepared to hand the knife to Phillip to end the ridiculous scene before it worsened.

But Adeline wasn't ready to stop. She started rambling again, acting all pathetic. "Elijah, you're so heartless! How can you treat me this way? My virginity..."

Being a renowned CEO of a listed company, every minute of Elijah's day carried great value. Even attending today's bidding meeting had been squeezed into his already packed schedule. He had no patience to waste on such absurd behavior, especially from a woman he considered unattractive.

Elijah looked extremely furious now, the veins on his arms bulging. His face had gone pale and hard, his eyes sharp and threatening as he forced out each word. "What nonsense are you spewing?"

He leaned so close that Adeline could feel his harsh breath on her skin. His body was tense, his anger ready to explode at any second.

Seeing his reaction, she didn't dare say another word. Her cheeks burned red, and the boldness she had shown earlier melted away, leaving her looking shy and fragile. Her once-defiant eyes now shimmered with tears.

"I haven't lied, have I? Elijah, what are you going to do to me now? I'm not afraid of you! Whatever you want to do, go ahead. I won't be scared!"

Adeline refused to back down as she confronted the dangerous Elijah, whose patience had already reached its limit. He looked like a volcano, ready to erupt at any minute. Then he caught a sweet, soothing scent from her.

Elijah froze at once, visibly stunned.

For years he had struggled with bipolar disorder, one that no treatment or imported drug had been able to control. Yet this woman's natural scent worked better than any expensive medication, instantly softening the storm within him.

But he quickly hid his reaction and straightened, towering over her once more. His voice was low and commanding. "I'm not like you. I don't act without thinking."

Then, with a single gesture, he ordered the bidding meeting to be suspended.

He glanced discreetly at Phillip, who immediately understood.

Without a word, Phillip, backed by security guards, escorted Adeline out of the main hall.

......

Adeline thought they would throw her out on the street, but to her surprise, Phillip brought her into a separate meeting room nearby.

Five minutes later, Elijah entered.

Adeline's eyes widened in shock as she watched him sit in the main chair at the conference table. Facing her-bound tightly with rope and visibly uncomfortable-he let out a faint chuckle, then crossed his legs and gave Phillip a signal.

Phillip, who had worked beside him for years, caught the silent order immediately. Back in the chaos, he had already realized Elijah wanted Adeline kept.

Without hesitation, he untied her ropes, revealing deep red marks on her skin.

Phillip took a long sip of water, thirsty after the ordeal, but before he could speak, Adeline blurted out, already brimming with excitement, "Mr. Lewis, I knew you had sharp judgment. Let's be straightforward; let's just go and get our marriage certificate!"

Phillip nearly choked on his water, coughing violently and even splashing some onto Elijah's polished shoes. Elijah scowled immediately.

Flustered, Phillip fished out a handkerchief and bent down to wipe Elijah's shoes.

Meanwhile, Adeline smiled sheepishly at what she'd put Phillip through and added, "Was that really necessary? Well, your boss and I are a perfect match. We're deeply in love..."

Elijah could take no more. He exhaled and fixed her with a glare.

That look alone made Adeline's shoulders tremble, forcing her to fall silent.

"I don't have time to waste on your games. Tell me straight-what do you want?"

Elijah's commanding tone only reminded her of what he was: a young, self-made CEO who had built his empire with talent, confidence, and charm.

He was really impressive.

With only a few words, a direct look from his firm eyes, and the authority in every gesture he made, Adeline couldn't help but be deeply awestruck.

"You... you wouldn't have had me brought here unless you knew I wanted something from you," she said nervously.

The truth was, Elijah still didn't know her real intentions. He was only testing her and trying to figure out why her scent had such a strange effect on him.

Adeline swallowed hard and darted a glance at Phillip.

Understanding what she meant, Elijah said flatly, "He's my man. There's no need to hold back. Say what you came to say."

Relieved, Adeline straightened up, ready to reveal her true intentions. She cleared her throat and finally spoke. "Mr. Lewis, I'm sorry for approaching you this way today. I know that although our families are of similar status, we've never been close. My reputation is terrible, so it's nearly impossible for me to reach you in any normal way. I could only use this extreme method to force you to notice me."

As she finished, she pulled a rolled-up document from her sleeve.

It looked as though she had been hiding it carefully for some time.

"Today, I risked completely destroying what little name I have left, not for myself, but for the future of the Wright Group and the Lewis Group together!"

The future?

The Wright Group and the Lewis Group?

Hearing her words, Elijah raised a brow sarcastically.

His stern face suddenly broke into a mocking smile, like he had heard a ridiculous joke. "The Wright Group and the Lewis Group have always stayed out of each other's way. When did our futures suddenly become tied together?"