"I won't do it! I'm a virtuous girl who has never even had a boyfriend. How can you just claim I'm your wife?" Liao Ping crossed her arms, huffing with indignation.
"If you agree to play the part, I'll give you another million," Kaisen said, leaning back and watching her reaction with a predatory glint in his eyes.
"No! I'm not that money-hungry!" she snapped, turning her head away.
"Two million." He knew her weakness. He didn't believe for a second she'd turn down a fortune.
"Still no!"
"Three million."
"Forget it!"
"Ten million dollars," Kaisen stated flatly. His patience was wearing thin. He was a man who got what he wanted, regardless of the price.
Liao Ping's jaw dropped. Her eyes literally sparkled as the figure processed in her brain. Ten million dollars? She could retire on a private island and never have to scam another soul again.
"Ten million? Paid immediately? With a legal contract?" she stammered.
"Yes. A formal agreement. We sign tomorrow after my grandfather leaves—provided your performance is worth the price."
"Deal! I'm all yours, Hubby!" she chirped, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. Kaisen smirked. He had bought her loyalty, or at least a very convincing imitation of it.
That night, Kaisen assigned her to his own bedroom. Liao Ping was too busy marveling at the silk sheets and gold-trimmed furniture to realize she was sleeping in the lion's den. When Kaisen finally entered, he found her sprawled across the bed in a chaotic mess, her shirt hiked up to reveal her porcelain waist. Despite his injuries, he couldn't help but chuckle. He lay down beside her, and in her sleep, she instinctively clung to him like a koala.
"You're quite bold, little fox," he whispered, inhaling her jasmine scent before falling into a deep, restful sleep.