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Chapter 3 Sincerity Is You

Samuel's eyes landed on Evelyn's slim wrist, looking so delicate it seemed like a little pressure could break it. Evelyn kept talking, steady as ever, "I'm sure 'First Love' will bring in some serious, unexpected cash for the Seraphian Group."

She lowered her arm, but Samuel grabbed it. Her wrist was really slender.

Samuel felt the soft warmth under his hand and didn't want to let go, but he kept his grip just right, so she couldn't pull away but wasn't uncomfortable either.

Evelyn thought Samuel wanted another whiff of "First Love," so she lifted her wrist to him.

Samuel held her wrist, his voice calm and clear, "The Seraphian Group doesn't care about fancy stuff like this or small sales numbers."

Evelyn was taken aback. She remembered Samuel talking about sincerity and quickly added, "'First Love' is just my way into the Seraphian Group. If Mr. Whitman thinks it's not enough, how about I give the Seraphian Group the rights to all the perfumes I create in the next two years?"

Samuel looked at her and said, "Still not enough."

Evelyn immediately asked, "Then what kind of sincerity does Mr. Whitman think is enough for me to join the Seraphian Group?"

"Besides what you just mentioned, add yourself," Samuel's voice was still calm.

Evelyn didn't get what Samuel meant.

Samuel let go of her wrist, leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and went back to his indifferent look, "Marry me, and I'll fix all your problems."

Evelyn thought she had misheard, "Marry? Me?"

Samuel looked at her, unfazed, "I need a wife, and you need to join the Seraphian Group to solve your current mess. We both get what we need. Seems fair to me."

Evelyn was confused, wondering how the talk went from perfume to marriage.

But seeing his casual tone, like he was talking about the weather, and the playful glint in his eyes, she felt a strange sense of familiarity, though she couldn't remember where she'd seen him before.

Marrying the president of the Seraphian Group, this wild idea made Evelyn feel a bit sad.

For a moment, Evelyn thought of the awful Liam, knowing she'd never marry him anyway. But looking at Samuel, she wondered if it was worth giving up her marriage for her career.

Evelyn's mind was racing. Seeing she hadn't spoken, Samuel said calmly, "Ms. Taylor, if you haven't decided, I won't push you. The Seraphian Group can do without this perfume. Ms. Taylor, you can take your stuff and go."

Samuel's words snapped Evelyn back to reality. After thinking it over, she nodded, "Okay, I agree, but how can I trust you?"

Samuel suddenly smiled, "Haven't you heard? Sometimes, when dealing with the president of the Seraphian Group, you don't even need a contract. My word is often more reliable than a signature."

Evelyn took a deep breath and said softly, "I get it."

With that, Samuel stood up and brushed off his sleeve, "Alright, then bring your driver's license, and come with me."

"Where to?" Evelyn was momentarily confused.

Samuel replied calmly, "City Hall. Hurry up, I have a meeting in two hours."

An hour later, Evelyn found herself standing at the entrance of City Hall, clutching their marriage certificate. She'd been in a daze the whole time, feeling like a puppet, signing where she was told, stamping where she was told, and posing for photos as directed. It wasn't until now that the reality hit her—she, Evelyn, had just married Samuel, the president of Seraphian Group.

Now she understood why Samuel had asked her to bring her driver's license. She thought it was for work, but it was for their marriage.

Just as she was about to open the marriage certificate to take a look, Samuel's long, slender fingers took them away.

"I'll keep these," Samuel said coolly.

And just like that, Evelyn got married without even looking at the marriage certificate and was led to the car by him.

Suddenly, Evelyn's mind clicked, and she remembered something important.

"Mr. Whitman, my perfume..." she said softly.

Samuel cut her off immediately, "A reminder, Mrs. Whitman, how should you address me now?"

Evelyn's face flushed with emotion. The suddenness of it all made it hard for her to say the intimate term.

Samuel didn't push her, just took out his phone and made a call, "Have the director of the perfume development department wait for me in the office in 20 minutes. Add another perfume to tonight's competition."

Hearing this, Evelyn looked at him gratefully and, after a moment of hesitation, softly stammered, "Thank... you, honey."

Her voice was sweet and soft, making Samuel's Adam's apple bob involuntarily. A smile played on his lips before he quickly regained his calm demeanor, "Where are you heading now? I'll take you there."

Evelyn, still shy from the earlier address, quickly composed herself, "I need to go to Liavian Perfumes for the final handover and to handle some personal matters."

Samuel nodded, and the car drove smoothly. Evelyn added, "Can we not announce our marriage for now?"

She wanted to hit Liam and Vivian hard at the most critical moment, letting them know the consequences of betraying her.

Samuel had no objections. He simply said, "I hope you handle your matters quickly and be at the Seraphian Group by 5 PM."

Evelyn looked at him, feeling like Samuel knew what she was going through. She wanted to ask if he knew her situation.

But thinking of those disgusting things, she couldn't bring herself to ask. After all, she was going to settle the score with them.

As soon as Evelyn stepped into the company, her assistant, Laura Baker, immediately ran over with a worried expression, "Evelyn, where have you been? Mr. Scott has been looking for you all morning and is furious, smashing several teacups in the office."

Evelyn responded calmly, "I know, I'll handle it."

Evelyn had deliberately turned off her phone this morning. She wanted to make Liam anxious, to let him know that without her, he was like a ship lost at sea, unable to find its way.

As soon as Evelyn entered the office, Liam paused his action of throwing a teacup. Seeing Evelyn, he heavily put down the teacup, "Evelyn, where have you been all morning?"

Hearing Liam's angry voice, Evelyn calmly looked up at him, "Do you need something?"

Seeing Evelyn's calm tone and expressionless face, Liam suddenly felt a moment of panic.

Then he asked, "Where is the 'First Love' information? Don't you know today is the new perfume competition? Didn't I tell you to stay in the lab? Where did you go?"

"Why are you in such a hurry? The competition isn't until tonight. I went to get a dress for tonight, and I'll join you all this evening, " Evelyn said with a calm tone.

Liam was stunned, and Vivian sneered, "What? You're going tonight too?"

With this, Vivian glanced nervously at Liam.

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