Chapter 1: Has Michael Tudor ever kissed you like this?

Crystal City.

In this chill, fancy café.

A soft but kinda icy voice cut through the quiet.

"Let's tie the knot."

By the window, this drop-dead gorgeous woman was sitting there. Her slim fingers were twirling a spoon, stirring her coffee.

Her long, curled lashes were half-closed, casting a shadow on her lids.

The dude across from her was a total looker. When he heard her, he barely reacted, but it was gone in a flash.

Rocking some low-key, high-end casual wear, his long legs were kicked back, and he leaned into the booth, eyeing her with interest.

He let out this tiny, almost invisible chuckle at her words.

His cold, thin lips twisted into a smirk.

"Tie the knot?" His long, perfect fingers drummed on the table, his tone flat. "You and me?"

Anna Howard looked up, her red lips parting slightly, "Yeah."

Charles Percy twirled his fingers, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He didn't bother asking why she picked him. Instead, under Anna's gaze, he slowly said, "Miss Howard, everyone in Crystal City knows I'm a wild card. Marrying me ain't gonna be just for show."

Anna stayed quiet for a sec,

She just pressed her lips together a bit tighter.

Charles saw her reaction and let out a light, indifferent laugh.

Without another word, he stood up and walked out.

Anna's brow twitched. Before he could leave the café, she chased after him.

In the hallway corner, she grabbed the hem of Charles's coat.

He stopped dead in his tracks.

Just as Anna was about to speak, Charles spun around, grabbed her wrists, and pinned her against the wall.

The next moment, he leaned in.

In Anna's shocked gaze, he crashed his lips onto hers.

Anna's eyes went wide.

She tried to wriggle her wrists free, but he just held on tighter.

The air in her mouth, along with the breath in her lungs, was almost completely squeezed out. She held her breath, but he forced her to give in bit by bit.

Charles wrapped his arm around her slim waist.

His thumb brushed against her slightly swollen lips, his deep eyes like a bottomless pit, impossible to read.

He licked his lips, still not satisfied.

The hand on her waist tightened, pulling her closer.

Looking down into her eyes, he asked, word by word, "Has Michael Tudor ever kissed you like this?"

Anna panted, trying to catch her breath.

Even though she kept her face in check, the slight trembling of her lips gave her away.

Charles wasn't letting it go.

Pressing his lips to hers, he kissed her again.

Anna's waist was soft, and the mist in her eyes melted the coldness on her face, showing a hint of tenderness.

Charles asked again, "Has he ever kissed you like this?"

Anna turned her head, her trembling lips managing a single word, "No."

Charles raised an eyebrow.

Holding her waist, he strode out.

Anna's legs were jelly, struggling to keep up, "Charles."

Charles glanced sideways, bent down, and scooped her up in his arms, striding out again.

From his thin lips came a single word, "Spoiled."

Anna stifled a near-gasp, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her expression was hesitant, unsure. "You..."

But before she could finish, Charles's deep voice cut in, "Did you bring the documents?"

She was stunned for a moment, her fingers tightening unconsciously.

"I did."

Charles placed her in the passenger seat of the Koenigsegg and bent down to fasten her seatbelt.

Getting into the car, Charles started the engine while dialing his assistant.

"In ten minutes, bring the documents to City Hall."

With that, he hung up.

On the other end, his assistant, Henry Scott, thought his phone had been hacked.

Ten minutes later.

When Henry saw Anna getting out of the Koenigsegg at City Hall, his jaw practically hit the floor.

Charles tossed the car keys to Henry, took the documents from him, and pulled Anna into City Hall.

Fifteen minutes later, they came out again, and Henry had barely managed to keep his head from exploding.

On the steps outside, Anna looked at the marriage certificates in Charles's hand, "Can I have one of the marriage certificates?"

Charles handed her one, but when Anna reached for it, he held onto the edge, not letting go.

He looked into her eyes, a lazy smile on his lips. "Planning to keep it for the divorce?"

Anna pressed her lips together, using a bit of force to pull the marriage certificate from his hand.

She lowered her eyes, put the certificate into her bag, and said, with a calm expression, "Mr. Percy, just let me know when you want a divorce."

Charles let out a light scoff, his mood shifting slightly.

Anna was looking down at her phone and didn't see his expression, only sensing that his vibe had suddenly cooled.

Charles tossed her a key, his tone a bit colder, "Regal Retreat, the marital home."

With that, he didn't look at Anna again, stepped down the stairs, got into the car, and drove off.