Love's Illusion: Unveiling The Mask Of My Cunning Lover

At Zoria Club.

"Karlee, are you sure about this?"

On the phone, Jessica Mason, Karlee Elliott's friend, voiced her concern. "Even if Jeremy has betrayed you, you shouldn't risk your own happiness like this!"

Karlee tipped back another glass of wine, her vision clouding with alcohol. "It's the only way I know to get back at them. Otherwise, I'll be forever tormented by those two shameless people!"

Indeed, she was plotting to seduce Brian Olson, the CEO of the Olson Group.

Word on the street was that Brian's family was desperate for him to marry soon because a family elder was critically ill and wished to see him tie the knot.

After she hung up the phone, Karlee spotted Brian emerging from the restroom. Clumsily gripping her glass, she staggered toward him.

"Oh! I'm so sorry."

Karlee "accidentally" spilled her drink on Brian's chest, instantly staining his tailored suit.

"Watch out, Mr. Olson." Dennis Fletcher, Brian's secretary, intervened, scrutinizing the tipsy and disheveled Karlee. "Mr. Olson, should I..."

Brian lifted his hand to stop Dennis.

Karlee, with flushed cheeks, was clumsily wiping Brian's shirt, her breath reeking of alcohol. "I'll... I'll clean it up for you!"

Her perfume wafted around Brian, her touch sparking an unintended desire. Brian adjusted his tie, his expression tense, and firmly caught her wrist.

Brian had been forewarned that his uncle, Laurence Olson, intended to place a strikingly beautiful woman at his side.

The woman in front of him, with her enchanting gaze and silky skin, had a tiny scar by her cheek-so subtle that it was nearly invisible. Her lips, slightly curled, resembled the petals of a rose.

It was clear now why those people had chosen today, of all days, to drug him.

Karlee struggled against Brian's hold. In a soft voice, she cried out, "You're hurting me!"

Brian, his breath uneven from the drug's influence, gently lifted her chin. Presented with such an irresistible temptation, how could he turn away?

"How do you plan to compensate me?"

His voice was hoarse from the drug, his lips nearly brushing Karlee's. The desire in him burned.

Karlee looked up at him, biting her lip innocently, her eyes dewy. She was like a prey at his mercy.

She murmured, "Just... Just tell me what to do. I'll do anything..."

Brian chuckled, lifting her in his arms as they headed to an upstairs suite. After locking the door, he threw her onto the bed, discarded his tie, and looked at her with a darkened gaze.

"Hope you won't regret this!" he said.

Upon hearing that, Karlee shivered, yet Brian wasted no time, pressing his lips firmly against hers.

A night of frenzied madness followed, shattering her previous resolve. She had reserved her first intimate experience for her wedding night with Jeremy Cooper, the man she had loved for more than ten years.

She had been instrumental in building their studio from nothing, helping Jeremy orchestrate deals and execute contracts, always letting him take the credit for every design she had made. And she had accepted only two thousand dollars a month as her salary because she loved him.

But Jeremy had betrayed her!

As the morning light poured through the window, turning over was a struggle for Karlee. Her body ached as if it had been shattered.

"Mr. Olson, the driver is waiting downstairs." Dennis' voice resonated from outside the door.

Brian muttered a reply, and Karlee's gaze shifted to him by the dressing mirror; he was adjusting his attire.

She had spent the night with him...

Quickly, Karlee drew the blanket over herself to hide the marks on her skin, and Brian, securing his cufflinks, glanced her way.

"What's your name?" His tone was icy, utterly devoid of any warmth.

Karlee, caught off guard by his indifference, bit her lip and lowered her head. "Karlee... Karlee Elliott."

Hearing her name, Brian turned to face her, looking down at her like a ruler deciding her fate.

"What do you want?" he asked.

The question struck Karlee as peculiar, yet it saved her from the awkwardness of asking it herself.

With Jeremy's betrayal fresh in her mind, she lifted her gaze. "I want to marry you!"

Brian's expression remained unchanged, but his eyebrows lifted inquisitively as he studied her.

He thought even though the woman Laurence had arranged was both unique and stunning, she seemed too impulsive.

Karlee detected the mockery in his eyes, realizing how absurd her request was. Just as she was about to clarify, Brian extracted a business card from his suit.

"Tomorrow morning at nine, meet me at the City Hall," he said.

He threw the card onto the white sheets.

Karlee retrieved it, reading the name-Brian Olson.

She exhaled a breath of relief. Then, it suddenly dawned on her.

He had actually agreed?

"Here's the prenuptial agreement. If you're sure about this, just sign at the bottom."

In the bustling City Hall, inside an office exclusively assigned to Brian, Karlee experienced a surreal, almost dreamlike sensation as she read through the clauses outlined in the prenuptial property settlement document.

The stack of papers detailing Brian's assets resembled a thick dictionary, in stark contrast to Karlee's single sheet.

"I... I won't spend your money," Karlee said.

Though her ultimate aim was to utilize Brian's status for her revenge, she harbored no intentions of causing unnecessary trouble.

Brian, comfortably seated on the sofa while absentmindedly playing with a ring on his hand, responded to her declaration with a casual, slightly mocking smile.

Sensing his disbelief, Karlee mustered her courage and inquired, "May I add a clause?"

Brian's shrug gave her the go-ahead to add her condition.

Karlee promptly added a note specifying a marriage term of three years. According to this clause, both parties would consent to end the marriage after this duration.

This three-year period would afford her the necessary time to establish her own studio and outshine Jeremy and Kathryn Lloyd, the woman he had cheated with, orchestrating a strong comeback.

Upon reviewing the newly added clause, Brian said with a hint of amusement, "Three years? Ms. Elliott, are you considering divorce before we even marry?"

His approach was casual. But his face was so handsome that it made everything he said like a tease, causing Karlee to blush as she understood why he seldom revealed his face in public.

An exceptionally handsome man like him would certainly attract relentless pursuits from numerous women if he did.

"I-I just..." Karlee began.

"I agree," Brian quickly interjected. "As my wife, you are expected to adhere to traditional virtues. You may pursue your career, but remember, your primary identity is Mrs. Olson; being yourself comes second."

With his fingers rhythmically tapping on the table, his piercing gaze fixed on her, Brian stated, "If you can accept that, sign the agreement."

Karlee paused, pen in hand, as she considered the implications.

But clarity soon returned. Embracing the identity of Mrs. Olson would empower her against Kathryn and Jeremy.

With resolve, she signed her name. After double-checking that all details were correct, she handed the contract to the lawyer.

Brian observed her determined expression and allowed a smirk to form, extending his hand towards her. "Let's get married now, Mrs. Olson."

Karlee's cheeks warmed with a flush as she shook his hand, her voice soft but clear. "Okay, Mr. Olson."

Following their handshake, she attempted to withdraw her hand, but Brian tightened his grip slightly, even tenderly rubbing his thumb over her fingers.

The subtle teasing made Karlee's cheeks flush an even deeper shade of red. She avoided Brian's amused gaze and quickly pulled her hand away.

After registering their marriage, Brian had to rush off to work, but he made sure Karlee wasn't left alone. He instructed his assistant to help her pack her belongings and move into his expansive villa.

Noticing Karlee's hesitation, Brian offered a faint smile. "Even though our marriage term is only three years, you are now my lawful wife, Karlee. You wouldn't want us to live separately, would you?"

"Of course not..." Karlee just hadn't anticipated that everything would progress so smoothly and swiftly.

She had been living in a modest rented apartment and had planned to cancel the lease by the end of the year to purchase a marital home with Jeremy-before his betrayal.

"Good to hear." Brian handed her a black card. "Though you strike me as an independent woman, it's my responsibility to take care of you financially now that we're married. I hope you won't refuse this."

Brian's words and gestures made Karlee's heart race.

Initially, Karlee had wanted to decline, but considering their new marital bond, refusing seemed ungracious.

"Okay," she eventually said.

Holding the black card felt surreal, like something out of a dream.

Brian's villa, located in the prestigious part of Ordmery, was of incalculable value. Karlee's modest luggage seemed pitifully inadequate. But when she moved into her room, she discovered a walk-in closet filled with elegant clothes and designer bags.

Dennis, who stood behind her, explained, "Mr. Olson instructed us to purchase these first thing today. I wasn't sure of your preferences, so if there's anything you're dissatisfied with, please let me know."

Dennis' thoughtfulness made it difficult for Karlee to feel dissatisfied. Her own belongings seemed out of place here.

The dressing table and bathroom were already stocked with high-end brands that Karlee had only heard Kathryn mention before-luxuries even Kathryn couldn't afford. But Brian had arranged them as though he were stocking up at a wholesale.

Feeling uneasy about accepting such opulence, Karlee decided to cook dinner for Brian when she learned he had no evening plans.

As she stood in the kitchen, tears streaming down her face from the smoke, the butler's voice echoed from outside. "Mr. Olson is back!"

Karlee stared at the half-burned fish in the pan, feeling down and ready to start over when she heard a deep voice from behind. "Cooking something?"

Karlee couldn't bring herself to look at Brian. "I just wanted to do this to thank you for buying all that stuff. But it didn't quite work out..."

Brian laughed softly. "Looks alright to me."

Karlee's cheeks turned red. "Sorry, cooking isn't really my thing."

She remembered he had mentioned wanting a caring wife, but here she was, messing it up.

"No worries." Brian casually took off his jacket and handed it to her, rolling up his sleeves and revealing his toned arms. "I can cook. Let me do it."

Karlee was stunned. Who would have thought the big boss of the Olson Group could cook?

In no time, dinner was ready.

Brian pulled out a chair for Karlee and gestured for her to sit, then served her a bowl of clam chowder. "Try this."

Karlee took a spoonful and was surprised by how good it tasted.

Suddenly, she felt Brian's fingers on her cheek. She froze, locking eyes with him. Realizing she now smelled of cooking oil and smoke, she felt awkward. Was he going to...

As he moved closer, Karlee held her breath and instinctively closed her eyes.

Her eyelashes fluttered, and for a moment, time seemed to stop.

But what she had expected didn't happen.

Instead, she heard Brian's low chuckle. Then, she felt something gently wiping her cheek. Karlee opened her eyes to see him holding a damp tissue, wiping her face.

Brian hid the mockery in his eyes and gently cleaned her face, his voice soft. "How did you manage to get all this on you while cooking?"

Only then did Karlee realize what he was doing. She tried to pull away, but he gently held her chin.

"It's not all off yet. Why are you pulling away?" he said.

He didn't seem to mind.

"I..." Karlee's ears were hot, and she muttered, "I can do it myself."

She reached for the tissue, but Brian smiled. "It's done," he said.

Karlee didn't know what to say, and Brian playfully tapped her nose. "Alright, let's eat."

Brian sat across from her, his every move showing his grace. Karlee took another bite of the clam chowder. It was really good.

Today was their first day living together, and such an incident made Karlee feel pretty embarrassed. As they finished eating, she spoke up. "Mr. Olson, I..."

"What did you just call me?" Brian asked, wiping his mouth, his captivating gaze fixed on her. Karlee realized she couldn't call him Mr. Olson anymore.

"Bri..." she began.

Before she could finish, Brian had already stood up, stepping around the table to scoop her up into his arms and let her sit on his lap.

They were so close now, and since he had loosened a few buttons of his shirt while cooking, Karlee could see not only his bobbing Adam's apple but also his collarbone.

"I..." Karlee's breathing quickened. She wondered why such a captivating man had never married. Surely, if he wished, countless women would vie for his attention.

"Mrs. Olson." Brian's hand was warm on her waist, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Shouldn't you know how to address your husband?"

His face edged closer, his lips nearly brushing hers.

Karlee held her breath, her voice trembling. "Hon... Honey..."

She didn't realize her cheeks were already burning.

"Good girl." Brian seemed pleased, leaning in to seal his approval with a kiss, but he was interrupted by Dennis at the door. "Mr. Olson, there's urgent news from the Olson Mansion. Your grandmother isn't feeling well..."

Their tender moment was disrupted, leaving Karlee feeling a pang of disappointment. Brian ruffled her hair affectionately. "You should get some rest. No need to wait for me. I'll take you to meet my grandmother in a few days."

Karlee knew she couldn't interfere in the affairs of Brian's family.

She bit her lip and nodded, watching him leave.

In the back of a luxurious car, Brian scrutinized the surveillance footage, his brow furrowed. Dennis, seated beside him, said, "Mr. Olson, if Ms. Elliott is indeed a spy, she'll likely try to contact Laurence. Should we intercept their communications?"

Tension always simmered between Brian and Laurence, especially now, with Brian's grandmother's health in decline. Laurence seemed eager to stir up trouble.

Employing such a seductive woman was clearly designed to harm Brian.

Brian's expression was icy, devoid of any tenderness.

"No need," he stated coolly. He watched the screen, a chilling smile curving his lips. "It's more entertaining to play with the mouse than to kill it outright. This woman is intriguing. I'll entertain myself with her for a while."