Previously, it had been impossible for Elvira to ask for leave of Bernice. And now the superior was willingly giving her permission to leave the office earlier. It felt odd.

“Elv, it’s okay. You may go. Don’t keep the elderly waiting,”

Bernice urged Elvira, who was dumbfounded by her supervisor’s words.

Then Elvira did leave the office. Looking at her receding figure, Bernice gave a sinister, triumphant smile.

At the table, Ethan shifted in his seat uneasily and would lick his lips nervously from time to time.

Elvira, on the other hand, was rather relaxed. She talked and laughed with his grandfather as if he was her own grandfather and Ethan was the outsider.

“Elv, how old are you?”

Galton asked her with a smile. It was a common question by the elders. Elvira was prepared for the clichés.

It was a while before they finally started eating.

“Next Friday is auspicious. I think you two should get married that day.”

Galton took a sip of tea. His tone was so authoritative it allowed no argument.

Ethan hadn’t seen this coming.

He was grateful to Elvira that she had agreed to pretend to be his girlfriend. And he knew that it couldn’t have been an easy decision for her. Now his grandfather hoped they could get married, and the date he preferred was so near. This was too much to ask of her. It was unfair. Ethan wouldn’t do it.

Even if he was okay with it, Elvira would say no.

When she heard the old man’s suggestion, she felt like she had been struck by a thunderbolt. She froze like a statue and stared at Galton with her chopsticks in midair.

What did he just say? Getting married?

Ethan had mentioned nothing like that.

It was impossible for her to marry Ethan. She didn’t love him. Besides, she was already married to Nigel. How could she possibly marry someone else?

“Grandpa, we haven’t thought of getting married yet. It’s—” explained Ethan.

“What’s to think about? Just get your marriage licenses and say yes at the wedding. Then it’s done,” Galton interrupted him indignantly.

“I’ve made an appointment with a wedding planning company. Let’s go meet them after lunch.”

Galton looked at Elvira. Sensing the girl was terrified by his anger, he softened his tone but still sounded determined.

No doubt Galton was pushy and overbearing. Elvira thought about it. If she turned him down, he would certainly feel disrespected.

She and Ethan were not getting married today. She would only have to try on the wedding gown if she went to see the people from the wedding planning company with them. Anyway, her original intention of being here was to make the old man happy.

So, eventually, she agreed.

Ethan was shocked to hear her say yes. Then he smiled as he looked at her with tenderness and admiration.

Soon, they reached the bridal shop. Various wedding gowns were displayed on the racks. Galton told Elvira to pick on. Looking at those fabulous dresses, she was lost and fascinated.

There were too many choices.

She usually had to go over every one of them before she could finally make her decision.

Today was no exception. After a long time of choosing, she picked out a simple strapless white wedding gown.

It didn't have superfluous accessories or embroidery. The fluffy dress accented her slender waist.

Its simple design suited her perfectly, revealing her sexy collarbones and shoulders. The white color set off her fair skin and added to her innocence.

She moved slowly towards Galton and Ethan like an angel.

People said a woman looked most beautiful when she was in a wedding gown. It was true. Ethan was engrossed. He couldn’t take his eyes off her when he saw her in that dress.

Actually, even Elvira herself was surprised how gorgeous she looked in the dress.

It felt like these wedding dresses could work wonder.

Elvira looked in the mirror at herself.

She was amazing.

It seemed she had made the right decision to come here. She had never known she could look like this.

Although she had married Nigel, they hadn’t held a wedding ceremony. Thus, this was the first time she had been in a wedding dress.

To think about it, when she and Nigel got married, there was no wedding, no vows, no ring exchanging, no love.

Those were the things every little girl dreamed about. And she had had none of them.

Never mind. It’s just a sham marriage anyway. What else could I hope for except the marriage certificate? Elvira told herself.

She brought her mind to the present and smiled at Galton as she swirled to make him have a better look at her in the dress.

Ethan had put on a white suit to match her dress. His hair slightly curled. He looked like a handsome prince.

No wonder Elvira had been smitten with him in college.

Ethan smiled at her. Everything would be perfect if they were really getting married today.

Later on, they went home separately. After saying goodbyes to Ethan and his grandpa, Elvira hailed a cab. Shortly after, Ethan sent her a message.

“Thank you for everything you did today,” Ethan said sincerely.

“You’re welcome,” she replied simply.

Then she put her phone away and rested her head on the window. She was exhausted.

The night fell. The streets were lit up by lights and colorful neon signs. Light was cast on her face as the cab drove on.

She closed her eyes wearily, light and shadows flashing around her like naughty children.

“Where did you go?” Nigel asked her indifferently as soon as she got home.

“Nowhere,” she answered casually. She was too tired to explain.

“Where did you go?” he asked again, sitting on the couch. Anger was plain in his tone.

He had been waiting for her in the living room like forever. He hadn’t expected her to come home so late.

“Nowhere,” she repeated, exhausted.

She had been moody in the past few days. And she had had a long day and now just wanted some rest. Nigel’s asking irritated her, and asking the same question made it worse.

She changed into her slippers impatiently, intending to shower and go to bed as soon as possible.

“Nowhere? Weren’t you on a date?” Niles asked with a sneer and looked at her coldly.

“Huh? What date?” She was confused.

Nigel's face was grim. If looks could kill, Elvira would have been dead.

“Weren’t you with a man?” Nigel continued, gritting his teeth.

“What are you talking about?”

Elvira flared up.

“You’ve been bugging me ever since I got home! What are you insinuating? Get to the point!” she yelled.

Obviously, he thought he knew something, but he had been talking in a roundabout way. She hated it when people did that. Why couldn't he just cut to the chase?