Chapter 3

Sophia stared at the document in disbelief, her pen trembling in her hand.

Was she marrying Benjamin?

She glanced sideways at him. His features were sharp and impassive, impossible to read.

After just one second of eye contact, Sophia nervously looked away, lowering her head as she heard Benjamin's pen scratching across the paper beside her.

She hadn't asked any questions, and he hadn't offered any explanations.

But the facts were undeniable.

She was about to marry Benjamin Williams—the famous Financial Devil.

Sophia wanted to ask why, wanted to know why everything was different from what she'd been told. But she didn't have the courage.

Besides, Benjamin had already signed. What right did she have to question or object now?

She bit her lip and obediently signed her name.

Since she'd chosen to return for this arranged marriage, it didn't really matter who the groom was, did it?

Either way, this was just a business arrangement. All she had to do was play the role of a dutiful wife and maintain polite distance.

After they signed, the clerk verified their information, and they went through the standard procedures. Within minutes, they'd completed their marriage registration.

Staring at the marriage certificate in her hands, Sophia felt almost surreal—she'd just married a man she'd only met twice.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow. Don't overthink things—just follow my lead," Benjamin said as they left City Hall, his tone carrying its usual unquestionable authority. "Also, we'll announce our marriage when the time is right. I'll handle all the arrangements, so you don't need to worry about any of that."

Sophia opened her mouth, questions flooding her mind, but the words died on her lips.

Facing someone like him, her concerns seemed trivial.

"I understand," she finally whispered.

Benjamin's driver was waiting by the curb. After dropping Sophia off at the Taylor Villa, the car quietly disappeared.

As the vehicle faded from view, Sophia's tense nerves finally relaxed.

Looking at the warm yellow light filtering through the villa's windows, she hoped that being home might offer some comfort from the emotional turmoil she'd been enduring lately.

She pushed open the door and immediately heard John Taylor, her father's affectionate voice.

"Samuel, that was amazing! Such incredible skills—that's my boy!"

Sophia's nose stung with tears. She'd never heard such doting, loving words directed at her.

She slipped off her shoes and walked inside. Her stepmother, Linda Scott, emerged from the kitchen carrying a fruit tray. Though she clearly saw Sophia in her peripheral vision, she deliberately turned away and pretended not to notice, playfully scolding John, "You're always like this—you're going to spoil Samuel rotten."

Despite her words, she picked up an apple slice carved into a bunny shape and fed it to Samuel Taylor.

Sophia's body grew increasingly rigid, her fingertips turning cold.

She felt like an outsider, like an intruder spying on someone else's happiness.

Her throat tightened as she called out softly, "Dad, Linda."

Only then did John look up, his gaze falling on her without a trace of warmth. He asked flatly, "You're back? Did you get the marriage registration done?"

"Yes." Sophia nodded, hesitating before holding out her marriage certificate. "Dad, I didn't expect it to be him..."

She'd thought her father might be surprised, but John waved dismissively, cutting her off without even glancing at the certificate.

He rubbed his temples, as if he had little patience for her. "It doesn't matter who it is. What matters is that you maintain our relationship with the Williams family. Do you understand?"

"You're not a child anymore. I've raised you all these years—it's time for you to give back to the Taylor family. Got it?"

Sophia's hand froze completely, her arm suspended awkwardly in mid-air, feeling absurdly mocking.

She withdrew it sheepishly, emotions churning.

So her father only cared about securing an alliance with the Williams family, about climbing the social ladder. He couldn't care less about who she was actually marrying.

No wonder she hadn't even known her groom's identity until now.

Linda set down the fruit tray and walked over to Sophia, taking her hand with a fake smile. "Sophia, you're so lucky to be marrying into the Williams family."

"But this marriage opportunity is precious, so you'll need to be very careful once you're there."

Already feeling miserable, Sophia looked up at Linda, her voice hoarse. "What do you mean?"

"Be a good wife. Take care of your husband, cater to his needs, and don't throw tantrums. Whether the Taylor family can achieve greater success depends entirely on you."

"Take care of him?" Sophia jerked her hand away, staring at Linda in disbelief. "I'm marrying him, not becoming his maid!"

"Sophia, watch your attitude!" John's brow furrowed as his voice turned stern. "Once you're married into the Williams family, you're their family. Isn't taking care of your husband your duty?"

"What, do you think working as a jewelry designer makes you special?"

"Without the Taylor family's support, would you have achieved what you have today? Without the Taylor family, would you even have the chance to marry into the Williams family?"

Every word dripped with disdain.

Yet throughout all these years, apart from her school tuition, everything she'd accomplished came from her own hard work.

She'd never used a single Taylor family resource or connection.

She'd fought to climb higher, but could never surpass Samuel, who did nothing but play video games all day.

Samuel paused his gaming, looking up with contempt. "Sophia, you'd better take good care of Mr. Williams. Later, you can get me a job and buy me a sports car."

"Samuel!" Sophia trembled with rage. "If you want something, why should someone else have to buy it for you?"

"Why are you yelling at me!" Samuel immediately looked to John with wounded eyes. "Dad, Sophia's bullying me!"

"Sophia!" John's face darkened as he pointed at her furiously. "Samuel was just joking—was that really necessary? He's your family. Helping him is your responsibility. I think you've completely lost respect for us and stopped caring about this family!"

Sophia looked at the three of them, her heart sinking deeper and deeper.

She'd hoped coming home would bring some warmth, but instead, she was met with nothing but accusations and manipulation.

Her father only had eyes for Samuel, and Linda's head was full of schemes to use her as a social climber.

This house had never truly belonged to her.

She took a deep breath, forcing back the tears and speaking in an icy tone, "Then maybe I shouldn't bother coming back to this family at all!"

"Damn it!" John exploded, slamming his hand on the table and raising it to strike Sophia across the face.