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.

36 A Proper

Ashbourne Manor's

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insisted on declining, it

it

always return the villa to Caroline later if it

kind to covet what wasn't his. Never mind the fact that Caroline

then, Alban approached from

his fifties, silver-haired, lean, and

tailored black suit.

like a tenured professor than

just in time," Mabel told him. "Take Alistair to finalize the paperwork this

he added, "Agnes has packed her

smile faded. "She's leaving. No need for

pause, she relented.

Let her in."

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guilt written all over her face. But the

Ashbourne family may be in danger. What will you do? "Option one: stay out of it. You're not really part of this family. This is just a temporary arrangement, and sooner or later, you'll be gone. Their problems aren't

it is 100

two: help them. You may not be truly married to Caroline, but she's treated you with nothing but kindness. Mabel just welcomed you into the family. You may not belong here- but that

reward for it is 200

didn't need

system handing him dilemmas like this, always dangling a reward

it hadn't said a word, he already

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reward, he wasn't about to stand by and

right

him was telling him Agnes was at the center of

grab her by the collar,

she was plotting.

That would be insane.

off guard-her panic had given her away. This time? She looked calm, composed,

do was scare her into hiding whatever

hit him, Alistair pulled up the System Store on instinct. He scrolled quickly, hoping-no, needing-to

and his heart nearly leapt into his

Lock onto one target and hear his

It costs 200 system

a

from the system anyway, a

he

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disaster because of it, then the price was more

worth it.

"Target locked-Agnes Crowley."

in his mind,

and filled with bitterness.

worked for the

for the

Even if I

their praise,

mistakes -does that mean I don't

up his coffee cup without flinching, hiding his

a calm facade.

Wow. She's really bitter.

regret her actions, but she was actively resenting the family for holding her accountable. There was no

play dirtier. Let's see how

it

she really is planning

understand it-was this

They held real power.

even a sliver

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in trouble-she'd

was the kind of plan that hurt both

for her. Not unless she had a

wish.

she was that

still eluded him. He had no choice but

away.

everything these past years,” Agnes said aloud, her voice trembling with fake sentiment. "I'll be

at her. She wasn't

family

undeserved, cost nothing.

Vaughn promised me a cushy job once this is

this plan to work. Please,

hasn't found work

Probably her. I came today just to see the old hag one last time. Hopefully she'll take pity on me and not blacklist me

36 A Proper Introduction Wait-Mr.

like ice

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admirer. So this whole thing is tied to

And Agnes' sister....

pieces fell into place.

looked eerily

They were sisters.

That explained everything.

this feels

was deeper than he'd thought. He

trying not to

voice in his mind wasn't bound

noise.

through with

with a respectful nod,