Chapter 7

Rae bit the inside of her lip in bewilderment. Her mother hadn't mentioned this in her messages. Maybe she didn't know about it.

But how did Damon know she had arrived if her mother hadn't informed him?

Perhaps her mother had forgotten to mention it?

Still, Rae had never expected someone with Damon Hawke's reputation to be thoughtful enough to send his driver to pick her up.

After travelling for so long, she was more than exhausted. She would be a fool to refuse.

Besides, it wasn't like she could refuse anyway. "I'll be right there."

Rae lowered her phone, ended the call, and dragged her suitcase towards Exit Three.

Soon, she spotted a sleek black Maybach with heavily tinted windows parked quietly by the roadside.

As if noticing her arrival, Harry stepped out of the car.

He appeared to be in his twenties and was dressed in a well-tailored gray suit. His demeanour was calm—neither overly servile nor arrogant. "Miss Lockwood, your luggage, please."

"Oh... yes." Rae immediately handed her suitcase to Harry.

After taking it from her, Harry opened the rear passenger door and gestured politely. "Please, Miss Lockwood."

Rae stepped forward; a cool breeze drifted out from the car and washed over her while carrying a rich scent of tobacco and cedar, filling her senses.

But that wasn't what caught Rae's attention.

Rather, it was the presence of the striking man who slowly raised his head.

Although Rae had never met Damon Hawke before, she recognized him almost immediately.

Damon Hawke sat on the opposite side of the spacious back seat. He wore a black silk shirt with the top two buttons undone, revealing his strong neck and defined collarbone. His long legs were casually crossed, occupying most of the space.

The moment their eyes met, Rae felt as though the air had been knocked out of her lungs.

What a ridiculously handsome man...

Those golden eyes were the most piercing, yet most beautiful, eyes she had ever seen. His thin lips were pressed together, and although his expression remained blank, an air of natural arrogance surrounded him.

"Elena Lockwood?" His calm voice was low and husky.

Rae snapped out of her daze. Hearing her name fall from his lips made her heart skip a beat.

She had never expected Damon Hawke to come personally. "N-Yes. Yes... I am Elena Lockwood."

Damon's golden eyes rested on her before slowly sweeping over her from head to toe.

Uncomfortable beneath his scrutinizing gaze, Rae clasped her hands together, her fingers pressing tightly against one another.

Damon said, "Did you bring your ID card?" Then he shifted his gaze away.

Rae quietly exhaled in relief. "Yes. I brought it. It's with me..."

A thought suddenly flashed through her mind, causing her to freeze. Her heart skipped another beat.

Damon had looked her over from head to toe before asking whether she had brought her ID card.

Who asked about an ID card the very first time they met? A chill ran down her spine. Could Damon Hawke have noticed something unusual?

Was he already suspicious of her identity? Was that the reason he was asking for her ID?

Damon turned towards her and slightly raised a brow. "Aren't you getting in?"

Rae's tense body relaxed slightly, and she let out a slow breath. "Yes."

She bent down and quickly climbed into the car, making sure to sit as far away from him as possible.

Although they had exchanged only a few words, somehow it felt as though she were standing on a battlefield.

Harry closed the door before returning to the driver's seat. Soon, the car hit the road.

After a few moments, Rae, who had been quietly watching the scenery outside, slowly pressed her hands together.

Although she hadn't returned to the Blackwood Pack for years, she still remembered its roads clearly. This...

This wasn't the way to the Lockwood residence. Nor was it the route to the Hawke residence.

Rae turned towards Damon. His eyes were closed.

Even while resting, Damon looked more dazzling than ever. His chest rose and fell steadily, and a faint scar could be seen near his collarbone.

Not wanting to disturb him, Rae shifted her gaze away and quietly asked Harry, "Excuse me... where are we going?"

Damon slowly opened his eyes. "The registry."

"The registry?" Rae repeated in confusion.

Damon said, "The Marriage Registry."

He leaned back against the seat. "The engagement between the Hawke and Lockwood families has already been finalized. The marriage certificate has been prepared. All that's left is for us to sign it."

That soon? Rae parted her lips, unable to speak. No wonder he had known she was arriving today.

So, even though she had only recently agreed to substitute for Elena, the preparations had already been completed.

They had simply been waiting for her arrival before heading straight to register the marriage.

Rae closed her mouth before opening it again. "But... I only just arrived in the country..."

Damon's eyes finally settled on her. "I know you don't want this marriage. That's why we'll be signing a marriage agreement."

Rae's eyes widened in astonishment.

Damon looked away, his gaze returning to the window. "My grandmother is in poor health. She wants to see me married before anything happens to her. One year is enough. We both get what we want, and then we part ways."

Rae lowered her gaze to her hands, overwhelmed by everything she had just heard.

After a long silence, she finally looked up. "What do I need to do?"

Damon's golden eyes landed on her once more, stealing her breath away.

After several seconds, he answered calmly, "Be a good wife."

A good wife... Rae fell silent. She could do that.

"During the agreement, you'll receive a monthly allowance of $500,000. When it's over, you'll also receive a villa on Everton Island."

Everton Island. Rae's breath hitched. One of the most expensive places in the world.

A monthly allowance of $500,000. It was an incredibly generous offer. So generous that anyone would find it difficult to refuse.

But as tempting as it was, Rae knew nothing in this world came without a price.

She pressed her fingers together and lowered her head. She stuttered, "Um... during our agreement, will I be required to fulfil any marital obligations?"