Chapter 2: Gender: Male, Hobby: Women

The man's brow furrowed slightly as he forcibly swallowed back the name that was on the tip of his tongue.

He slipped one hand into his pocket, still maintaining his gentlemanly manner. "Where are you going? Want me to give you a ride?"

"No need, it's easy to get a cab here."

Victoria turned and left. The moment she got into the taxi, her phone vibrated—a friend request.

The note was simple and direct: [I'm your husband, please accept!]

Victoria accepted it and casually changed his contact name to: [Husband]. Since she'd decided to put on an act, her acting skills had always been top-notch.

However, when she switched back to the WhatsApp main screen and saw Ethan's profile picture, her heart couldn't help but throb with pain.

Three years of feelings, traded for a disgusting betrayal. Now just thinking about his face made her feel sick.

Without a moment's hesitation, Victoria blocked Ethan.

After dealing with Ethan, Victoria called Charles.

Since she'd already fulfilled her duty in this arranged marriage, she had to get back what was hers—every last bit of it.

"Dad, I've already gone on the blind date like you asked, and I've gotten the marriage certificate too. So, about your promise to return Mom's hotel to me—shouldn't you make good on that now?"

Charles fell silent on the other end.

He never expected that Victoria, who'd always been so headstrong and had even broken ties with him over Ethan, would compromise so readily today.

She'd even gotten the marriage certificate? When things seemed off, there had to be a scheme. He secretly wondered what Victoria's real cards were.

But thinking it over, Maplewood Hotel was left by Victoria's birth mother anyway, and it had been losing money year after year under his management. Now, going with the flow and tossing it to her would both secure this business marriage and get rid of a hot potato. No matter how he calculated it, this was a sure win.

"Don't worry," Charles's tone softened, putting on a businessman's fake courtesy. "As long as you behave, I'll definitely give you what I promised."

Victoria knew Charles too well—painting unrealistic expectations was his specialty.

She cut him off without courtesy. "Dad, don't say 'will definitely give.' I want the shares transferred now. If I don't see the transfer agreement, I can't guarantee what I might do next."

Charles was caught off guard. Just as he was about to agree, his phone was suddenly snatched by the woman beside him—Victoria's stepmother, Jade Mitchell.

"Victoria! How dare you talk to your father like that?" Jade's shrill voice pierced his eardrum. "This is your own father! Do you need to negotiate conditions to listen to him? What does a naive girl like you need a hotel for? Even if we gave it to you, could you manage it?"

"I've never seen such a thoughtless child!"

Hearing Jade's voice, Victoria's eyes turned completely cold.

This "good stepmother" not only schemed for the Hughes family fortune herself but also raised a shameless daughter like Sarah.

"Jade, what's wrong with me taking back my birth mother's inheritance? My mom had it notarized before she died—once I came of age, the hotel must be transferred to my name!"

Victoria spoke precisely, showing no mercy. "What's mine, you must give me. What's not mine, I wouldn't take even if you offered—it's dirty. You really think I can't see you're trying to grab more benefits for your own kids?"

Jade was furious. "What nonsense are you spouting! I've always treated you like my own daughter."

"Own daughter?" Victoria laughed coldly. "Don't make me sick. Cut the crap—I just want the hotel. Give it to me, and I'll obediently go through with the marriage. Don't give it, and I won't marry. You know better than I do what the Hughes Group's financial situation is like. I can wait—let's see if the Hughes Group can afford to wait!"

With that, Victoria hung up directly.

On the other end, Jade was hopping mad but could do nothing about Victoria. She could only turn to pressure Charles.

Victoria snorted coldly. If she didn't see the transfer agreement tomorrow, she'd absolutely drag that newly-certified husband straight to get a divorce.

Meanwhile, at The Ashford Manor.

William Ashford, the Ashford family heir who'd just returned to the country, drove his sports car arrogantly through the gates.

As soon as he entered the living room, a stack of gossip tabloids flew at him, landing accurately at his feet.

Wayne Ashford, the Ashford family patriarch, sat on the sofa, pointing at him in anguish. "William! You're almost thirty—can't you do something serious? First the strip club, now dancing with male escorts at nightclubs? Can't you settle down! My heart's going to give out from your antics sooner or later!"

William casually picked up the newspaper and glanced at it, shrugging indifferently. "Dad, don't get upset. If something happens to you, who's going to watch me get married and have kids?"

Wayne froze, his eyes filled with horror. "William, what do you mean by that? Are you saying you really don't like women?"

Watching Wayne's thoughts spiral wildly off track, William was speechless.

As the future heir of the Ashford family, he could be reckless, he could be a spendthrift, but his sexual orientation was absolutely normal!

He pointed at his own nose, clarifying word by word, "Dad, I am male, and I like females."

Wayne's heart leaped with joy. As long as William wasn't gay, there was hope for pushing marriage!

He immediately seized the opportunity. "Since you like females, why not get married soon?"

Facing Wayne's marriage pressure, William surprisingly nodded this time.

"Sure, it's just getting married."

Wayne was overjoyed. Just as he was about to pull out the album of socialites he'd prepared long ago, the next second, a marriage certificate landed on the coffee table in front of him.

"Marriage certificate, just got it." William leaned back on the sofa, his posture lazy.

Wayne froze, picked up the marriage certificate with trembling hands, and examined it inside and out several times, afraid William had gotten a fake one to fool him.

After confirming the official seal and photos were real, Wayne nearly collapsed on the spot from excitement.

Thank God, William had finally gotten married! And to a woman, no less!

"William," Wayne beamed, "whose daughter is this girl?"

William curled his lip and spread his hands. "No idea."