Andrew's POV

“...And you may kiss the bride,” The officiant announced, smiling warmly at us.

I moved my gaze away from him and turned to Lena, who had been quiet ever since the vow. I raised my hands towards her veil, and at that moment, my eyes caught sight of her subtle movements.

Her hands clenched tightly together, as if scared of something. Ignoring it, I held the veil and slowly pulled it back and a pair of grey eyes came into view.

“Are you scared of the crowd?” I asked, staring at her lips.

“Um… No-no.” She stuttered, her eyes elsewhere except mine. Noticing the stares from the crowd, I brushed off any questions from my mind and held her back.

A soft gasp escaped her lips as her eyes widened slightly. Before she could recover from her shock, I lowered my head and claimed her lips.

“Mmm!” Her body stiffened slightly in my embrace, but I paid no heed to it. All I wanted was to be done with this and sign the deal.

However, just as I was about to pull away from the kiss I smelt something different about her. My eyes slowly peeled open and fell on her face. She had her eyes closed as we kept kissing.

Although Lena and I never had a deep intimate relationship. I knew how she smelled and how bold she was. However… the lady before me was the complete opposite…’

“You taste nothing like the Lena I know.” The words slipped through my mouth before I could stop myself.

I expected no reaction from her, but the instant those words left my lips. The color on her face drained, and she pushed me away, taking a few steps back.

I stared at her lips and went back to her face. She was shaking…

“The next…” the officiant's voice slowly disappeared as my eyes fixed on the fragile woman in front of me. She was shaking terribly, and I was a little worried that she might collapse on the floor.

No, I wasn't worried because I ‘cared’ for her. I was worried about my family's name and company. There were cameras and paparazzi who had attended the wedding to earn a living.

It would be devastating if a huge headline spread everywhere about my bride collapsing on the day of her wedding.

I moved towards her and held her in support.

“Stay calm, Lena.” I lowered my voice, staring at the well-wishers. “You look like a chicken struck by lightning. Oh, Mr Amros! It's so nice of you!”

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A few hours later ~

“Welcome to the Hartwell-” I grabbed the keys to the penthouse, cutting off the receptionist. Lena's mumbled apologies to the receptionist sounded in my ears as I walked away.

Footsteps quickly approached me as I waited in front of the elevator. My eyes narrowed sideways and I saw her staring at me with an unpleasant gaze.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked, knowing fully well she won't say a word. Lena was a docile girl which was why I agreed to the marriage in the first place.

It would be a headache to have a stubborn woman in my life. My time is money and I wouldn't wish to waste it on a woman.

“No.” She stressed out, and I nodded in agreement.

Ding!

We stepped inside the elevator and I pressed the 25th button. Silence fell on us as the elevator's door closed.

It didn't take long before we reached the 25th floor, and by this time, Lena was acting strangely.

She would brush her shoulders looking around as though it was her first time in a penthouse. I mean… wasn't this her family's penthouse?

Eleanor had made sure we spent the night in their penthouse and nowhere else. And I didn't refute because of the deal.

“You can spend the night alone.” I stood at the door front staring at her back. She turned sharply with a stunned expression on her face.

“Are you going-” She tried speaking but I cut her off impatiently.

“Spend the night here,” I repeated. “Someone will come over tomorrow morning and pick you up.”

She bit her lips before nodding.

I brushed her off my mind and walked to the elevator. Whatever was wrong with Lena wasn't of concern to me because signing the deal was more important.

“Mr. Steele!” Eleanor Hartwell's voice was the first thing I heard as I stepped out of the elevator.

“Where is Mr. Hartwell?” I asked, ignoring her bubbling attitude.

“Oh, straight to business, I see.” She chuckled, walking beside me. “My husband is waiting in the guestroom.

I quickened my steps and in no time I had arrived in the guestroom. And true to her words, Mr. Harwell was waiting.

It was past 10 AM when we finished going through the document. I clenched my hands tightly as joy surged through me.

Finally! The diamond mine deal has been sealed! I stared down at the Hartwells' smiles and scoffed inwardly.

A bunch of cowards, selling their daughter for a one-sided deal. Thinking about it brought joy into my heart because I was the one who benefited most from the deal.

I snapped back to reality when I felt the buzz in my pocket. I dug my hand inside and brought out my phone, and on the lit screen was an incoming call from Harold.

He was probably calling to ‘congratulate’ me.

“Yes?” I asked, walking out of the elevator to the penthouse.

There was silence for a while before Harold's calm voice sounded from the speaker.

“I heard your bride ran away, is that true?” He asked, and a frown pressed on my face.

My legs slowed before coming to a stop. I stared at the door ahead of me, then said coldly.

“I've warned you never to pry into my personal life, Harold,” I said, clenching my hands.

“It's just a question, haha!” He laughed. “I only wanted to confirm what my eyes saw!”

What?

“What do you mean-” right there, a message notification came off my phone and I clicked on it.

There was an image and a message attached to it.

'Boss, Lady Lena escaped the penthouse!’