Mafia Love Scandal

Kaivan Maximilian. A figure well-known by nearly all the residents of the city of London. A young entrepreneur who has successfully developed a business in the hospitality industry.

Kaivan, up until now, has been widely recognized as a playboy who enjoys changing partners frequently. It's not uncommon for him to be caught affectionately linked with many women, whether they're models or up-and-coming actresses.

On that afternoon, Kaivan seemed to be spending his time having lunch with his younger sibling, Kenzi Maximilian. While engrossed in conversation, he was suddenly surprised by the arrival of a beautiful woman he had never met before.

"Kaivan! So here you are. I've been looking for you all around."

Kaivan stopped eating and turned towards the source of the voice. From his facial expression, it was clear that he appeared confused in response to the woman who was currently speaking to him.

"Hold on, do you know me?" Kaivan squinted his eyes. In his heart, he wondered who the woman in front of him was. "Besides, why were you looking for me? Did we have some kind of issue before?" he asked, puzzled.

The beautiful woman narrowed her eyes, gazing at Kaivan with an unpredictable expression.

"You've forgotten who I am?"

Kaivan's brow immediately furrowed. His mind tried to recall whether he had met or knew the woman before. However, after trying hard, he eventually gave up.

"To be honest, I really don't know you," Kaivan replied.

The woman let out a slight sigh, frustration appearing on her face.

"You seriously don't recognize me, and you're not the man who got me pregnant?"

"What?!"

Kaivan, Kenzi, and Alma, who were all sitting and listening, were collectively shocked by what they had just heard. This statement caught all three of them off guard.

Kenzi, who was sitting beside Kaivan, even shot a piercing look at his brother.

"Kai, is it true that you got this woman pregnant?"

Kaivan grumbled in annoyance. He didn't accept being accused like this. He thought it was absurd.

"Do you think it's even possible for me to impregnate a woman who isn't my wife?"

Kenzi fell silent immediately. He thought it was highly unlikely for his brother to impregnate a woman out there without any official commitment. Their family held the institution of marriage in high regard.

Yes, Kenzi and Kaivan were indeed raised to respect women. That's why despite Kaivan's playboy reputation, they would never dare to bring a woman to their bedroom, especially Kaivan. Despite his casual approach to relationships, he was strongly against bringing his dates home.

Now, Kaivan turned his gaze back. He locked eyes with the blue irises of the woman claiming to be pregnant with his child.

"I'm certain you have the wrong person, Miss. I really don't know you. Moreover, I haven't been with a woman for a long time. I believe you're accusing the wrong person."

The woman shook her head repeatedly, remaining steadfast in what she had said earlier.

"No. I'm very sure it's you. You're Kaivan Maximilian, right? Furthermore, I have proof that we slept together. I can show it to you."

Now, Alma took over the conversation. She felt the need to intervene.

"We should settle this at home, Kai. Don't you see everyone here is watching us?"

Kaivan looking at each person around them. And indeed, some of the restaurant's patrons seemed captivated by the bizarre behavior of the woman who was standing not far from their table.

"Should I take her home with me then? Are you sure?" Kaivan asked hesitantly.

"Let's just take her to your hotel," Alma suggested.

With a lazy expression on his face, Kaivan reluctantly agreed to Alma's suggestion. He led the unfamiliar woman to his hotel.

****

Four Seasons Hotel - London, England.

"Miss, I don't want to beat around the bush any longer. What's your real motive for accusing me of getting you pregnant?" Kaivan asked shortly after they gathered in his office.

The woman smiled at everyone. Her demeanor was remarkably relaxed, as if she didn't feel intimidated by Kaivan's questioning and skepticism.

"Before we go any further, I should introduce myself. My name is Anna Maria, but you all can call me Anne. I won't say too much. It's better for you to see the evidence I've brought." Anne then handed Kaivan her phone, intending to show the proof that could address all the questions swirling in his mind.

On the phone, there was a clear CCTV recording of an incident from about two months ago. In the recording, Kaivan was present at a party in one of the Nightclubs on the outskirts of London. He was seen drinking with his friends, and shortly after, he stumbled towards a room accompanied by a woman. The CCTV footage stopped once they entered the room.

"Is this all?" Kaivan asked.

"You can swipe the screen of the phone you're holding. After that recording, there's more evidence I've stored," Anne replied.

Kaivan followed her instructions, swiping the screen of the phone he held. A series of photos showed Kaivan sleeping on a bed alongside a woman. Their positions were intimate, as Kaivan was shirtless, and so was the woman.

Kaivan shook his head in disbelief. Once again, he wasn't convinced by what he saw. Curious, Kenzi forcefully took the phone from Kaivan's grip and carefully examined the evidence.

"You really slept with her, Kai!" accused Kenzi.

Kaivan rubbed his face roughly.

"For God's sake, I didn't sleep with her, Ken. Let alone impregnate her. This woman must be setting me up, or maybe she's lying to all of us."

Kaivan stared at Anne's face intently once again.

"What's your real motive behind all of this? Do you want money? If so, I can give it to you. But stop accusing me of doing something I absolutely didn't do!"

Anne let out a bitter laugh directed at Kaivan.

"Money? You think I'm doing this because I need money? In case you forgot, I even drove a two-million-pound sports car to get to your hotel."

"Then what do you want?"

"I just want you to take responsibility! If you still don't believe, we can go to the hospital now to check whether I'm pregnant or not. But you must make sure there are no paparazzi tailing you. Isn't your reputation important too? After all, in this country, who doesn't know Kaivan Maximilian."

Kaivan fell silent. His hand began to massage his forehead gently as he felt a sudden headache coming on. His mind was still trying to decipher the meaning behind all of this.

Seeing his older brother so frustrated, Kenzi immediately pulled Kaivan closer to where he was standing.

"It might be better to let this woman stay with you for now, Kai," Kenzi whispered.

Kaivan was taken aback by Kenzi's suggestion.

"You're telling me to let a woman I don't know stay with me? What if she turns out to be a terrorist, a secret agent, a fugitive, or maybe even a spy from my rival!" Kaivan whispered back.

"But you can't just let her roam around outside either. You never know if she's really pregnant with your child. You also can't guarantee that this woman won't spread rumors to the public. Seriously, I don't mind if your reputation gets ruined, but you have to think about Mom and Dad's feelings, Kai!"

Kaivan grumbled. Everything seemed to be a mess in his eyes right now. Kenzi was right, letting the woman go would definitely expose the possibility of the scandal becoming public knowledge. No one would care about the truth behind the news. On the other hand, Kaivan couldn't just let an unknown woman stay with him either.

"So what should I do then?" Kaivan asked in frustration.

Kenzi seemed to think for a moment, then after a short pause, he spoke again, "For now, let the woman stay with you temporarily, but I suggest you also investigate her background. You could use Hans' expertise to find out the motive behind all of this."

"Are you done discussing?" Anne asked, feeling neglected by the ongoing conversation between the two siblings.

Kaivan stepped forward, approaching Anne's position.

"Fine, for now, you can stay with me. I'll wait until the baby you claim to be mine is born. If the child is indeed born and proven to be mine, I promise to take full responsibility."

Anne smiled at Kaivan.

"Well, can I trust your words?"

Kaivan gave Anne a sly grin.

"A man is respected for his words. I was raised to stand by what I say or promise. Even now, I'm worried that your words might not be trustworthy."

Anne laughed upon hearing Kaivan's response, still doubting his proclamation.

"It's up to you, but for now, I'll thank my future husband. You're not only handsome but responsible too, it seems."

Kaivan sighed in exasperation at Anne's behavior. Shortly after, he reached for the phone on his desk and dialed a number.

"Mike, come to my office now," he commanded.

Not long after, two knocks sounded on the door, and a young man in a neat suit entered, heading toward Kaivan.

"Place this woman in the Presidential Suite with me. Also, make sure to inform Meggy to prepare all her necessities. Treat her like a VVIP guest. Watch over her, and don't forget to arrange for guards outside the room."

The man named Mike, who was Kaivan's secretary, simply nodded and approached Anne, who was still seated on the couch. "You can come with me, Miss," he said.

Anne followed Mike's steps towards the room she would be staying in. Meanwhile, Kaivan remained silent and somewhat stunned. Seeing this, Kenzi approached his brother once more.

"You should be happy that you're going to be a father, Kai. It means Rapha will have a playmate soon. Besides, that woman is quite beautiful, just your type."

Kaivan shook his head in disagreement with what his younger brother said.

"This isn't a joke, Ken. How many times do I have to explain that I don't know that woman at all? No matter how intoxicated I was, I've never slept with my dates."

Kenzi chuckled at Kaivan's response. He actually felt sorry for his brother, who seemed so overwhelmed by the situation. After all these years of being a playboy, Kaivan had never been involved in a scandal like this before.

"Contact Hans right now, ask him to investigate the potential mother of your child. While waiting for news, you have to treat her well. Regardless, she's a woman who deserves protection."

Kaivan took a deep breath, unintentionally causing his shoulders to dramatically rise. He felt so suffocated right now.

"I'll try to follow all your suggestions. Please keep this secret. I just don't want Mom to find out. It's very dangerous for her health."

"For that matter, you don't need to worry. Most importantly, quickly resolve your issue." Kenzi gently patted Kaivan's shoulder and then left his brother alone in the office.

Kaivan stared straight out the window. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to recall the events of that night. He attempted to piece together fragments of memories, arranging them event by event. However, not long after, he grumbled in frustration; he couldn't remember a single thing.

Kaivan Maximilian, marrying an unfamiliar woman?

Is that even true, Kai?

A handsome entrepreneur like Kaivan Maximilian, marrying a random woman with an uncertain background?

Kaivan shook his head repeatedly, trying to dismiss all the negative thoughts flooding his mind right now.

"Please come in, miss. From now on, I will take care of all your needs. My name is Megan Lawrence, you can call me Meggy." Kaivan's personal assistant invited Anne to enter the prepared room.

Anne followed Meggy, walking her feet around the Presidential Suite that was specially arranged for her. The first impression Anne got was a room with many rooms equipped with luxurious facilities. There was a living room, a fireplace, and a spacious lounge area. Equally intriguing were the mini bar and the dining area equipped with a minimalist kitchen.

Anne was captivated by this sight, walking over to get a closer look. She enjoyed cooking and always considered the kitchen as her sanctuary.

"If you enjoy cooking, you can use this kitchen," Meggy said. She seemed like a mind-reader, anticipating Anne's thoughts. "But in my opinion, it's better to order food from the hotel." After offering, the woman quickly gave advice. Her words sounded a bit contradictory in Anne's ears. "The chef here is known for skillfully serving an exclusive menu. Besides, there's a five-star Michelin restaurant on the hotel's second floor. You can try dining there."

Anne just smiled in response to Meggy's words.

"I do enjoy cooking. Especially baking. But since this isn't my home, I guess I have to be careful."

After exploring the kitchen, Anne walked over to the balcony. She marveled at the view directly from the room. Standing where she was, she could freely gaze at the Tower of London standing firm in the distance. An unconscious smile formed on Anne's lips. She felt confident that she would enjoy staying with the first child of the Maximilian family in the days to come.

Anne continued to scan each piece of furniture in the room with her eyes. After a few moments of thought, she concluded that the room's owner was someone who liked tidiness. The numerous family photos neatly arranged on the wall also indicated that the owner was a family-oriented person.

"Does Kaivan also sleep here?"

Meggy nodded. "Mr. Kaivan sleeps in the room next to the right balcony. And your room is right next to it."

Meggy guided Anne to follow her, entering a room that was ready for occupancy.

"Here's your room," Meggy said. "If you need anything, please call the maid through the intercom or you can also communicate with the 24-hour bodyguard stationed outside the room."

Anne nodded in understanding. Her eyes scanned every corner of the room again. A spacious room for her to occupy, with even a mini walk-in closet inside.

Anne's eyes continued to roam around until they settled on an object that made her furrow her brows in curiosity.

"What's that?" Anne pointed to a door on the right side of the room.

Meggy stepped forward, approaching the door Anne was referring to.

"This is a connecting door. If opened, it directly connects to Mr. Kaivan's room. Only he can open that door as it requires the fingerprint of the owner."

After finishing the tour and explanation, Meggy chose to leave. Giving Anne a chance to rest. But before completely exiting, she gave another piece of advice.

"Remember, miss, you must not leave the hotel without Mr. Kaivan's knowledge. Once again, if you need anything, ask the guard stationed outside this room."

"Okay," Anne replied briefly.

****

Kaivan and Kenzi were like night and day. While Kenzi was born as a straight-laced man, never crossing boundaries and having an obedient nature, Kaivan was the opposite. He was born rebellious, with a somewhat temperamental character.

Moreover, many dubbed Kaivan the 'Siberian Wolf' because of his strong instincts when facing danger. He was skilled at silencing enemies and incredibly hard to bring down.

But, out of all his strengths, there was only one weakness for him.

Women.

Kaivan was obligated to always respect and yield to the creature called woman. That's why, as mischievous as he was, he never disrespected or used them for bedroom games. This was also the reason why he found it hard to believe when someone suddenly appeared and claimed to be pregnant with his child.

To investigate the truth behind these accusations, Kaivan followed Kenzi's suggestion and asked Hans to look into the case. And now, Hans was in his office.

"Well, in all the years I've worked with the Maximilian family, this is the first time I've seen you dealing with a woman. Usually, you ask me to investigate arms dealers, not trivial matters like this," Hans remarked with sarcasm. He seemed to understand Kaivan's nature well.

Kaivan took a deep breath. His frustration was clearly visible on his face. Anne's unexpected appearance had thrown his thoughts into chaos.

"I truly beg you, Hans. Handle this matter as soon as possible. I am absolutely certain that I have never slept with any woman, let alone impregnated her."

Hans gave a faint smile, shifting to a more relaxed position in his chair.

"But, if you were heavily intoxicated, you might have done it unconsciously, Kai," Hans accused.

"Oh my God..." Kaivan sighed softly. Then he spoke again. "But I'm really certain about what I feel, Hans."

Hans nodded. He had served the Maximilian family for over ten years. That's why he actually didn't doubt Kaivan's words. The eldest son of Federich Maximilian was always cautious, especially when it came to women.

"So, what do you want me to do?"

Kaivan straightened his posture, moving his desk chair closer to Hans.

"I want you to investigate this woman's background. A DNA test can only be done after the baby in her womb is born. It's crazy to wait that long."

In his seated position, Hans chuckled softly. It wasn't meant as mockery, but he truly couldn't help himself when he saw the expression on Kaivan's face. How could the man who was known to be ruthless among the mafia now look so helpless?

"Why not just call an obstetrician to the hotel to examine her?" Hans offered a suggestion that was quickly met with a shake of Kaivan's head.

"No... no... I don't want to take the risk. Calling an obstetrician here would only lead to speculation. You know there are too many rivals out there. They're even openly observing all my activities. I don't want all of this to backfire and ultimately damage my reputation."

Hans nodded in agreement. Compared to Kenzi, Kaivan indeed had more rivals. His frequent confrontations with the mafia had inevitably attracted many enemies out there.

"And are you sure she's really pregnant? How do you know she's pregnant if you haven't had her checked by a doctor?"

"Oh my God, Hans. When she came this morning, she even showed me the results of the pregnancy test she took. Even if it turns out she's lying, it's your job to prove it."

Hans shook his head. Kaivan truly handed him a complicated task. But there was nothing he could do but follow the man's orders.

"Do you have her identification?"

Kaivan nodded, then pulled something out from his pocket and handed it to Hans.

"That's her identification. Mike tried to find information this afternoon, but it turned up empty. Based on the check, the woman's data is clean. That's why you need to handle it personally."

This time, Hans nodded, agreeing to Kaivan's instructions.

"I'll investigate and report back to you as soon as possible."

****

Kaivan entered his presidential suite feeling weary. The fatigue that was weighing on him led his feet to the mini bar in the room.

His hand reached for a bottle of wine lined up in the glass cabinet. He poured it into a glass and took slow sips, trying to savor each drop of the wine moistening his throat.

Kaivan sat in silence for quite some time. Until the corner of his eye caught a sight that surprised him.

"Cough..." Kaivan choked on the wine he had been drinking. He wiped his wet lips with a napkin, then a moment later, his eyes moved from the top of her head down to the woman's feet who was standing perfectly in front of him.

"What are you doing?"

"Me?" Anne asked.

"Who else is here besides the two of us?" Kaivan retorted.

"No one, just wanted to grab a drink," Anne answered casually.

Kaivan sighed in frustration.

"Not like that. I mean, why are you wandering around wearing just a bathrobe? Are you intentionally trying to tease me?" Kaivan accused. Clearly, he was bewildered by the sight of Anne suddenly passing by in nothing but a bathrobe, wet hair cascading down. Kaivan, being a normal human, would have his masculine side stirred up by the sight of an attractive woman passing by like that.

"I don't have anything to wear. You know I came here without bringing anything," Anne sighed softly this time. "And if you've forgotten, you even forbade me from leaving this hotel. So how am I supposed to buy clothes?"

Kaivan let out a soft exhale. Then he reached for the cell phone in his jacket pocket, and after a while, he made a call to someone.

"Meggy, please go to the boutique on the hotel's ground floor. Bring a few sets of women's clothing for Anne. Any style will do. I believe you also know what size would fit her."

After ending the call, Kaivan turned his gaze back to Anne with a piercing look.

"My assistant will bring you some clothes shortly. Remember! Don't wander around my room in a bathrobe like this."

Anne smiled in response to Kaivan's words. She then took a step forward, intentionally getting closer to him in order to reach the wine glass behind him. The scent of vanilla soap she wore hit Kaivan's olfactory senses sharply.

"Relax, future husband. I'll obey all your orders," Anne whispered directly into Kaivan's ear.

After taking a small sip of the wine in her hand, Anne simply walked away, leaving Kaivan cursing loudly in his mind.

"Damn it! This woman is really looking for trouble with me."

Sicily, Italy

"Quickly tell me, where do you keep copies of the important data related to our organization!"

Mikael, a tall and imposing man with tattoos covering almost his entire body, was currently gripping the neck of a weakened man sitting in a chair. His hands were tied, and he continued to bow his head. He seemed to have exhausted his strength from the repeated blows he had received all over his body.

"It's pointless for me to tell you," he retorted. "After I tell you, I'll still be killed by you anyway. So what's the difference? I'd rather die outright."

Mikael clenched his jaw tightly. The large-bodied man was ready to signal his intention to strike again. However, this time his action was halted by another man sitting leisurely, smoking a cigarette in his hand.

"Stop, Mikael," he commanded.

Mikael turned. He furrowed his brow in confusion but still obeyed the order.

"Come here..." The man waved his hand, beckoning Mikael to approach. "That's not how a mafia member asks their enemies to talk. You're really foolish!" he scolded.

Mikael took a slow breath. He was afraid his boss might be angry with his actions, which had yielded no results. "But, Mr Luca, I've tried both subtle and rough methods. That man hasn't said a word, let alone given us information about the whereabouts of the person who holds our organization's important secret."

The middle-aged man stood up from his seat. He strolled towards their captive, sitting weakly in his hospital chair. "Raul Estello..." he said while gently wiping the blood that had soaked the man's temple. "I'll set you free if you're willing to tell us who has copies of our organization's information."

The man named Raul laughed mockingly. "Don Luca, I know who you guys are. There's no history of a mafia releasing their prisoners."

Luca grinned and nodded. "You're right. Most mafias, indeed don't let their enemies leave their den alive. But not me. I can set you free. And I'll make sure to keep my promise after you tell me where those copies are." He spoke at length, reaching for Raul's chin, asking him to look into his eyes. "Or... do you want your family to experience the same suffering you're going through now?" Luca reached for his cell phone from his pants pocket. He opened the photo gallery, showing pictures of Raul's wife and children enjoying themselves.

It made Raul pause for a moment. From his expression, it was clear that he was weighing Luca's offer. The man was threatening subtly. He thought he'd better die rather than risk his family's well-being. It had already been a risk for him as a member of the national intelligence agency to be caught by a group of mafia-like this.

"I swear it wasn't me who brought it."

Luca squinted his eyes. "Then who? Your work partner?"

Raul remained silent. He didn't deny it, but he also didn't confirm.

"If you keep quiet, I can't guarantee that when you go home, your family will still be alive or might even disappear without a trace," Luca warned. Raul swallowed nervously. Luca wasn't joking with his threat, so he decided to speak up.

"The copies of the data are in the hands of someone you might know. They could be in Italy, Ireland, or even in the UK," Raul replied calmly. "Feel free to search for it yourselves. What's certain is that those copies won't be easy for you to obtain."

Luca's lips curled into a smile. "It's alright if you don't want to give the details. The good news is, I have many connections and a wide network in those three countries. I wouldn't be Luca if I couldn't locate it quickly."

Raul let out a slow breath. "I've given you a clue. So please keep your promise."

Luca smirked. "I'm not a liar who enjoys breaking promises," he said. Then his gaze shifted to Mikael and his other henchmen. "Release this man. But before you let him go, you know what needs to be done, right?"

Mikael laughed. He quickly approached Raul's position, signalling two other companions to hold onto their captive. Moments later, Mikael was handed a glass of liquid by another comrade.

"What do you want from us?!" Raul shouted, sensing that something was about to go wrong.

"Ssstss..." Luca hissed softly from his seated position. He placed his index finger over his lips and spoke, "Be quiet and enjoy. After this, I'll set you free as I promised."

Raul shook his head. Shortly after, Mikael resumed his action. He grabbed Raul's face and held it firmly with the help of the two others. They forced him to open his mouth, then poured a glass of water mixed with a dangerous acidic substance down his throat.

"Arghhh!!!"

Raul screamed and thrashed, his throat instantly burning from the liquid Mikael had intentionally poured into his mouth.

"I will indeed set you free, Raul," Luca said from afar. "But I still have to eliminate the risk of you speaking to other intelligence members."

"Sir, is making him mute enough? Even if he can't talk, he might still reveal our whereabouts if he's set free.

Luca stood up this time. He approached Mikael, then gently patted his henchman's shoulder.

"Of course, you need to take more action. After this, make sure he can't see anymore. Use whatever method you want. But be certain that after incapacitating him, you release him as I promised," he ordered the middle-aged man. "And one more thing..." he continued. "Once your task is done, quickly contact our network in the UK or Ireland. Tell them to deploy all personnel to find out where the person holding the copies of our crucial organization information is."

Mikael nodded in understanding of the given task. Without saying much, he immediately carried out the orders. Meanwhile, Luca casually walked out of the room.

****

Kaivan had just finished his work. As he entered his presidential suite, he found Anne sitting comfortably, watching TV and enjoying a snack in her hand.

For a while, Kaivan observed her. He took deep breaths repeatedly. His mind was still the same as before. He had severe doubts that the woman leisurely watching TV was carrying his child.

Oh, God.

Why do you have to confront me in this way?

I might be naughty, but why should I be responsible for a woman I've never slept with?

Too lost in reverie, Kaivan didn't notice Anne, who had been watching him, now standing right in front of him. The woman even intentionally addressed him.

"What are you doing here?" Anne asked.

Kaivan snapped back to reality. He was slightly embarrassed and responded, shaking his head with a rhythm. "Nothing!" He protested, "Besides, this is my room. I'm free to do whatever I want. So, you don't need to ask so many questions."

Anne narrowed her eyes. "Really? Aren't you secretly observing me?"

Kaivan snorted. He felt caught but was too lazy to admit it. He didn't want to compromise his dignity. "Oh, come on!" He attempted to defend himself. "Why should I pay any attention to you?"

Anne shrugged her shoulders. A teasing grin clearly showed on her beautiful face. "Well, who knows, maybe you admire my beauty."

This time, Kaivan snorted again. He thought that the most confident person in the world was Edward Cullen. In reality, another person was even more annoying than him. "Right! As if! Why would I admire you? Just so you know, you're not even my type."

Anne approached. Intentionally, she brought her hand to stroke the smooth chin of Kaivan gently, adorned with fine hair. "If I'm not your type, then how did you manage to get me pregnant, huh?"

Kaivan immediately pushed Anne's hand away. He took a step back to avoid the woman in front of him. "Don't get too close," he warned. "Besides, up until this moment, I don't even believe that you're pregnant with my child."

In Kaivan's mind, Anne couldn't be pregnant with his child. He had never slept with a woman before. So, how could it be that the unborn baby in the slim woman's belly was his flesh and blood? All the photos and videos that Anne used as evidence could be manipulated. Who knows, right?

"I've already said that you can bring a doctor to check whether the baby in my womb is your flesh and blood or not."

"Don't be foolish," Kaivan retorted. "The only way to find out if that child is my flesh and blood is through a DNA test. That means I have to be with you until the baby is born!"

Anne nodded. "If you want the paparazzi, your extended family, or maybe your business colleagues to know that you're neglecting a woman who's carrying your child, go ahead. Tomorrow I'll leave this hotel."

Kaivan growled in frustration. He couldn't let all of this happen. It could ruin the reputation he had built for so long. "Fine, I'll play along with your game. But since you're now staying in my territory, behave yourself. Just so you know, I can do anything to you."

He walked away, deciding to take a shower and rest. There were so many tasks today that drained his mind and thoughts.

However, just as he laid his body down and was about to close his eyes, Kaivan was startled by Anne's arrival. Without hesitation, she lay right beside Kaivan. She pulled the blanket along, covering their entire bodies.

"Anne, for God's sake, what are you doing in my bed? Isn't your room right next door?"

Anne nodded. "I thought it wouldn't be good for a pregnant mother to sleep alone in her room. If something happens, it could be dangerous, right?"

Kaivan sighed in annoyance. In a tired moment like this, the woman beside him was causing trouble that stirred his emotions. "Go back to your room!" Kaivan commanded.

Anne didn't care. She tightened the blanket that covered her body even more. "I want to sleep here. Consider it a warm-up before you actually marry me."

"Tch!" Kaivan immediately clicked his tongue in frustration. "Who would want to marry you? Don't daydream too much. Even if you're carrying my child, or even if you were the only woman in the world, I wouldn't choose to marry you!"

Anne chuckled softly, not at all offended by Kaivan's mocking words. "Hold on to your words. Don't go back on your own promises. I'm just worried that you might end up falling madly in love with me."

"Never going to happen!" Kaivan replied confidently.

He pushed aside the blanket he had been using and slid down from the bed. Angrily, he walked over to the sofa. He chose to sleep there rather than share the bed with Anne.