Chapter 2

"Lucas was right. A lowlife pig farmer like you can be bought off with a little cash. He didn't even need to come himself."

"Take the money and get out. Don't let your pig stench ruin tomorrow's wedding venue."

I bent down to pick up the check—not for the money, but to tear it up and throw it in her face.

As soon as she finished speaking, the gate was abruptly pushed open.

"Who told you to come here?"

Lucas stood there in a tailored suit, his tie hanging crookedly.

Beads of sweat dotted his temples—he'd clearly run all the way over.

When he saw Vivian standing in front of me, he grabbed her wrist so hard she yelped immediately.

Lucas's voice turned terrifyingly cold: "Tell me! Who told you to come here?"

Vivian's eyes filled with tears as she stared at him in shock.

"Lucas, I did this for you! This woman won't let you move on..."

"Shut up!"

Lucas shoved her away roughly. In her high heels, Vivian stumbled backward, nearly landing in the feed trough.

"Get back in the car. Don't make me repeat myself."

Lucas didn't spare her a glance, his eyes fixed on me.

Vivian shot me a venomous look, but ultimately feared Lucas's anger and awkwardly climbed back into the car.

The yard fell silent, except for the occasional oinks from the pigpen.

Lucas took a deep breath and turned to face me.

His previously fierce expression softened instantly, even taking on a hint of nervous ingratiate.

He stepped closer, trying to take my hand, but I stepped out of his reach.

Lucas's hand froze mid-air. He gave a helpless, bitter smile: "Aria, don't listen to her nonsense."

"I never wanted to drive you away, and I've never been disgusted by how you smell."

He pulled out a handkerchief and took my hand, carefully wiping the dirt from between my fingers.

"You know the company's about to go public. I need the resources Vivian's family can provide."

"Marrying her is just a temporary measure—she's basically a prop."

"In my heart, you're the only woman who'll ever be my wife."

I looked up at his face.

Seven years had refined him into someone increasingly handsome.

He was no longer that poor kid cramming vocabulary by the pigpen.

And I was still Aria, the one who'd been shoveling pig manure behind him for seven years.

The affection in his eyes seemed so genuine.

So genuine that if Vivian hadn't shown up today, I might have almost fallen for it.

"What exactly are you trying to say?" I asked flatly.

Lucas thought I was warming up to him. A flicker of hope crossed his face.

He immediately pulled a velvet box from his jacket.

Inside was a diamond ring the size of a pigeon's egg.

"I bought you a downtown penthouse. It's in your name."

"Once I marry Vivian and lock in her family's investment, I'll push her to the side."

"You'll still be my only wife—we'll just skip the marriage certificate."

He leaned down, his warm breath brushing my ear, his voice cajoling.

"Aria, you know I can't live without you. But I also can't lose the company."

"Just do this for me—compromise a little, please?"