Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard)

Chapter 36 A Proper Introduction

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After lunch, Mabel pulled her usual trick-sending Caroline and Eloise off under some pretense, leaving Alistair behind.

Caroline glanced helplessly at Alistair before sighing, "Grandma..."

"Oh, relax," Mabel said with a wave of her hand. "I just want a word with Alistair.

I'm not going to bite him. Right, Alistair?"

"I'll be fine," Alistair said gently, offering Caroline a reassuring

smile.

But the moment she walked out, the confidence left him. He sat awkwardly on the edge of the couch, back ramrod straight like a student kept after class for unfinished homework.

Mabel chuckled, clearly amused, "Loosen up, dear. I promise, I

don't bite."

That broke the ice. Alistair let out a shy laugh, embarrassed by how tense he was.

It wasn't like he was being interrogated by a firing squad. Mabel had a kind face,

and Caroline had always been protective of him.

So what exactly am I afraid of?

Just because I'm not "ideal" on paper? That's not really a crime,

is it?

Chapter 36 A Proper Introduction

"I've heard a bit about your situation," Mabel said, her voice softening.

Alistair felt his shoulders ease.

He smiled sheepishly, "I'm not really someone who deserves Caroline."

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Mabel frowned, "Don't sell yourself short. That kind of talk doesn't sit well with me. Caroline chose you, and that's all I need

to know."

"Thank you," he said quietly.

"We're family now," Mabel said kindly. "And family doesn't need to toss around words like 'thank you' all the time."

But then her expression shifted. Her voice, while still calm, carried more weight now. "But let's get one thing clear. Caroline is a good girl-no, she's an exceptional one. I won't lie, she's the pride of this family. Since she chose you, you'd better understand what that means. You don't get to hurt her. Not. ever. If you do, I swear I won't go easy on you.".

Alistair sat up straighter, his hand instinctively raising in a solemn gesture. "I promise I'll treat her well for the rest of my life. If I ever hurt her, may I-"

"Alright, alright,” Mabel interrupted quickly, waving her hand. “That's enough. No need to tempt fate."

Chapter 36 A Proper Introduction

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There was a certain reverence in her tone, the kind that came from someone who didn't take fate lightly.

She sighed, muttering under her breath, "Caroline's a good kid, but she's too headstrong sometimes. Didn't even warn us before dragging you home-caught me completely unprepared."

Even as she grumbled, she reached into a drawer and slid a small notebook across the table toward him.

"We didn't have time to plan this properly, so I couldn't prepare a proper gift. But here's something from me, if you're willing to accept it."

He glanced down. It was a property deed-for a villa in SoHo.

He froze.

"This... this is too much. I can't possibly accept it."

Mabel's expression darkened. "What's so 'much' about it? It's just a villa. Don't tell

me you're turning it down because you. think my gift is cheap or rushed."

"No, not at all," Alistair said quickly, flustered. "It's just... I didn't bring you anything in return..."

Mabel laughed, warm and wide, the lines around her eyes deepening, "Just take care of Caroline and Eloise. That's the only gift I care about. And it's a lifelong one-far more valuable than a villa."

Chapter 36 A Proper Introduction

He couldn't find the words to answer.

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People with wealth... maybe that's why they don't cling to material things. They know what really matters. They know sincerity when they see it.

Suddenly, Mabel's gaze sharpened again. "Now tell me the truth. Is this marriage between you and Caroline just a transaction?"

His mind went blank. Cold prickled down his spine.

Of course she'd ask. Caroline warned me-her grandma sees through everything.

He was ready for this. At least, he thought he was. No matter how rattled he felt inside, his face remained steady. "Please trust us. We would never treat something as serious as marriage like a joke."

And even as the words left his mouth, guilt followed right after.

A lie. But a kind one.

Mabel stared him down for a long moment. Then, she threw her head back and laughed, "Oh, I'm just messing with you. Look at you-completely frozen!"

He tried to smile, but it was more relief than amusement.

"You'll go sign the transfer this afternoon. Alban will take you," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

A

Ashbourne Manor's

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point, if Alistair insisted on declining, it wouldn't just be

he accepted it with a quiet

always return the villa to Caroline later if it came to

never been the kind to covet what wasn't his. Never mind the fact that Caroline was already paying him a million dollars

Alban approached from the

was in his fifties, silver-haired, lean, and dressed in

tailored black suit.

like a

just in time," Mabel told him. "Take

Madam Ashbourne," Alban replied. Then, with a slight bow, he added, "Agnes has packed her things. She wishes to

faded. "She's leaving.

after a pause, she relented.

Let her in."

36 A

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bowed, guilt written all over her face. But the moment her

Ashbourne family may be in danger. What will you do? "Option one: stay out of it.

for it is

kindness. Mabel just welcomed you into the family. You may not belong here- but that doesn't mean you

for it is 200 system

need to think

the system handing him dilemmas like

even if it hadn't said a word, he already

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a reward, he wasn't about to

he had right now was a feeling-a strong, unshakable

him was telling him Agnes was at the center of it. But without proof, what could he

just march up to her, grab her

she was plotting.

That would be insane.

given her away. This

her into hiding whatever it was

pulled up the System Store on instinct. He

his heart

Voice skill acquired. Lock onto one target

It costs

for a second to

credits were a gift from the system anyway, a

he could stop the

A

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walking into a disaster because of

worth it.

"Target locked-Agnes Crowley."

calm voice echoed in his mind, a new one. followed-cold,

and filled with bitterness.

for

for the

for years. Even

praise, I

some mistakes -does that mean I don't deserve

without

a calm facade.

Wow. She's really bitter.

Agnes not regret her actions, but she was actively resenting the family for holding her

want to play rough? I'll play dirtier. Let's see

when it all comes

really

couldn't understand it-was

just wealthy. They

sliver of this was exposed,

A

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just be in trouble-she'd

kind of plan that hurt both sides. There was

for her. Not unless she had

wish.

she was that kind

uneasy he became. She was clearly planning something-but what exactly? That part still eluded him. He had no choice but to keep listening, forcing himself to

away.

for everything these past years,” Agnes said aloud, her voice

looking at her. She wasn't going to drag

family long enough. A

undeserved, cost nothing.

me a cushy job once this is done. No.

this plan to work. Please, God, let it

sister hasn't

her. I came today just to see the old hag one last time. Hopefully she'll take pity on me and not blacklist me for good. Otherwise, not even Mr. Vaughn

Proper Introduction Wait-Mr. Vaughn? Preston

name hit like ice water to the

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so-called admirer. So this whole thing is tied to

And Agnes' sister....

pieces fell into

who looked

They were sisters.

That explained everything.

wonder this feels

deeper than he'd thought.

now, trying not

his mind wasn't bound by volume

noise.

thoughts came through

turned away with a respectful