On the other side, Almond's phone was practically exploding with notifications.
Messages flooded both his private inbox and the group chat after the picture he had sent earlier. Just thinking about how shocked his friends must have been made him chuckle despite himself. A man like him randomly dropping a selfie with the caption Am I ugly? was enough to send anyone into confusion.
He unlocked his phone and immediately regretted it.
Henry: Indeed, you've become ugly.
Followed by three laughing emojis.
Another read:
This workaholic lifestyle has finally ruined your face.
Then another:
You look exhausted, old man. Sleep is free, you know.
Almond's brows twitched dangerously as he scrolled.
Every single message was mocking him.
Not one person denied it seriously.
For the first time in years, Almond genuinely began questioning himself.
Was he really that terrible-looking now?
The thought unsettled him enough that he immediately called Nicholas and ordered him to come to the old mansion after work. He needed someone sensible to confirm reality before his so-called friends completely destroyed his confidence.
Still dissatisfied, he directly video-called Henry.
The call rang several times before Henry finally answered with a grin already plastered across his face.
"Well, if it isn't the CEO himself," Henry drawled lazily. "For you to call personally, something must be seriously wrong. And judging from your expression, I'd say your mind is in complete chaos."
Almond sighed heavily.
"You really know me too well."
"Obviously," Henry replied smugly. "Now explain why a man who terrifies board directors is suddenly asking the internet if he's ugly."
Almond leaned back against the car seat and rubbed his forehead.
"Tell me honestly," he began. "Would any sane woman reject a marriage with me?"
Henry burst into laughter instantly.
"You sound unbelievably narcissistic right now."
"I'm serious," Almond said flatly. "The woman practically looked at me like I carried a contagious disease. She openly said she wanted nothing to do with me or the marriage. According to her, marriage would cage her and break her wings."
Henry's amusement slowly faded.
"So that's what this is about."
Almond exhaled quietly.
"At first, I wasn't interested in any of this. I only agreed because of Grandfather. But after meeting her…" He paused briefly. "Now I want to know why she's rejecting me so strongly."
Henry raised a brow knowingly.
"Oh?"
"The background report described her as calm and reserved," Almond continued. "But the moment I sat down, she turned into an entirely different person. Sharp-tongued. Defensive. Stubborn." A faint smile tugged at his lips despite himself. "Cute too."
Henry stared at him for a second before laughing loudly again.
"You're finished."
Almond frowned.
"I'm serious."
"That's exactly why you're finished," Henry replied. "You like her already."
Almond immediately denied it.
"I don't."
"You absolutely do."
Almond ignored him and continued, "Still, her reaction made me wonder if perhaps I've become… visually unappealing."
Henry almost choked from laughing.
"Do you truly want my honest opinion?"
"Yes."
"You look terrible."
Almond's expression darkened instantly.
Henry continued mercilessly.
"You work over twenty hours a day, barely sleep, survive on coffee, and treat your body like it's another company project. Even machines break down eventually."
Almond remained silent.
"And let's not even discuss your skincare routine."
"I don't need skincare."
"That's exactly the problem."
Henry shook his head dramatically.
"You used to be that young handsome menace girls chased around everywhere. Now you just look expensive and stressed."
Almond stared at him blankly.
"Expensive and stressed?"
"Yes. Like a rich CEO who forgot happiness exists."
Almond's jaw tightened slightly.
Even though he knew Henry was exaggerating, the words still bothered him more than he wanted to admit.
Meanwhile, Henry softened inwardly.
Truthfully, Almond was still ridiculously handsome. If anything, age had only made him more attractive. But Henry also knew how exhausting Almond's lifestyle had become over the years.
The man lived for work.
Business meetings.
Contracts.
Expansion plans.
Nothing else.
At thirty-three, Almond barely had a personal life outside the company, and everyone around him knew it.
Which was exactly why Grandpa Jones was so desperate to see him married.
Before Almond could continue overthinking, the driver announced quietly,
"We've arrived, sir."
The old mansion stood brightly ahead.
Almond sighed before stepping out of the car and adjusting his suit neatly. The moment he entered, the maids and butlers bowed respectfully as usual.
He walked toward the chess area and immediately spotted his grandfather already waiting for him.
Surprisingly
The old man looked happy.
That alone made Almond nervous.
Before he could even speak, Grandpa Jones stood up smiling broadly.
"Everything is proceeding exactly as expected."
Almond blinked.
"What?"
"I've already begun preparations," the old man continued calmly. "The wedding will hold in two weeks, so you should start preparing for your honeymoon as well."
Almond stared at him in disbelief.
"You can't be serious."
"I'm very serious."
"Grandfather," Almond said carefully, "this is too rushed. You're only going to scare her away further."
Grandpa Jones scoffed.
"Aren't you the desperate one here?"
Almond nearly choked.
"At your age, should I still wait for you to magically fall in love?" the old man continued mercilessly. "If I leave things to you, I'll die before seeing great-grandchildren."
Almond sighed tiredly.
"This isn't rebellion," he said patiently. "I'm simply trying to consider things from her perspective. She clearly isn't comfortable with this arrangement."
"And whose fault is that?"
"She believes we're forcing her."
"We are," Grandpa Jones replied unapologetically.
Almond was speechless.
"She walked out because she felt cornered," Almond added. "Rushing the wedding won't help matters."
Grandpa Jones waved him off dismissively.
"I don't care whether she likes it now or later. I only know this marriage will happen."
"Grandfather"
"You're getting married in two weeks," the old man declared firmly. "And that is final."
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Then Grandpa Jones narrowed his eyes slightly.
"And if either of you thinks of escaping…" he said meaningfully, "then let's see who wins."