The room fell into a deep silence, and the tension became overwhelming.
Snow Jiang gasped dramatically, before flailing her hand in the air. "Grandma!" she shouted in tears. "I didn't know he didn't hear me before signing. But as you said earlier, this is the will of heaven. Grandma, please don't send me away! I don't want to be unfilial to my dying mother." She tugged Old Madam Quinn's sleeve.
Old Madam Quinn gently patted her hand, her expression hardened as she stared at Adrian who had an expressionless face. "Adrian, you got a wife even when you were not looking for one, this only means heaven is behind this." She paused, glancing at Madam Quinn, Michelle Quinn, before landing on Snow Jiang. "From today henceforth, you have become a Quinn, and no one can change it." She hit her walking stick on the ground.
"Grandma!!!" The Quinns shouted in unison, their disapproval evident in their voices.
"Grandma!" Snow Jiang didn't miss the chance to put on a show. She cried, before hugging Old Madam Quinn. "Thank you, Grandma."
Old Madam Quinn patted her back. "Now, you have to do your best and give me five plum children."
Snow Jiang scowled, but her face was not seen as she was backing them. Before she could part her lips and utter a word, she was yanked out of Old Madam Quinn's arms.
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, as Adrian Quinn continued pulling her upstairs. "Wh… What are you doing?" She stammered, but she was met with cold silence.
"Oh my… my… Adrian.." Old Madam Quinn held her chest.
"Don't worry Grandma, we are going to make some round, plum, bouncy baby!" Snow Jiang yelled as she disappeared into a corner.
A smile formed on Old Madam Quinn's lips. She hit her walking stick on the ground again. "Let me see who would dare trouble my daughter-in-law." She glared at Madam Quinn and Michelle.
"Grandma…" Michelle Quinn stopped midway, when she felt her mother pinching her to keep quiet.
"Mother!" She yelled in a hushed voice, rubbing her arms. However, Madam Quinn shushed her.
They turned to the direction they had disappeared to, hatred and disapproval dancing in the depths of their eyes.
…..
A yelp escaped Snow Jiang's lips as her back hit the wall. Her heart pounded like a drum in her ears, her eyes locked with Adrian's furious ones.
"Hubby," She called coyly, "are you that impatient already?"
Adrian Quinn slammed his hands on the wall, trapping her between the wall and himself. "Tell me your price, and I'll let you walk out in one piece." He growled.
She gently held the hem of his coat. "Grandma said I'm already family." She tilted her head, blinking innocently at him. "And why would I take just a small price, when I can have everything as your wife?"
"You vixen," the words rumbled in his chest. "This was your plan all along, you!" He slammed the wall beside her.
She flinched. "Hubby, that is not my plan… I just got lucky to encounter you."
Adrian Quinn leaned closer, his face a few inches from hers. His chocolate-brown eyes narrowed dangerously, the temperature in the room dropping. His jaw was so tight the veins in his neck strained.
For a long moment, he said nothing. The silence pressed on Snow Jiang's chest heavier than his presence. She could almost hear his heartbeat along with hers.
His fist against the wall trembled before slowly easing. His eyes flickered, it was sharp and calculating now.
"Fine." His one word cut through the air like ice, he pulled back his hand, rearranging his tie.
Snow Jiang's heart skipped. 'Why is he agreeing now? Has he run out of options… or is he planning something dangerous?'
"I'll let you keep the title of Mrs. Quinn." He paused, observing her reaction. "However, you'll be my wife just by name." His long dark lashes fluttered, almost making her breath hitch.
"I… I don't understand what you mean?" his calming cologne flooded her nostrils.
"What I mean is, we are not going to have sex or have any intimate relationship. You'll remain a stranger, just as you are now. You'll enjoy the wealth of my family… but you can't have me."
Snow Jiang's lips quivered, her mind calculating everything he said. "So you don't want me as your wife… Why are you willing to keep me as your wife in name?
Adrian Quinn slid his hand into his pocket. "My family wants me to get married, but there's someone I love. You can be my decoy, and we both can benefit from this. Do you agree?"
Snow Jiang felt small under his scrutinising gaze. 'This is better than getting thrown out.'
She nodded her head, using her left hand to wipe the tears off her right cheek. "I agree."
"Good, I'll draft the rules and send you the papers to sign. And the marriage will last only three months, then we'll get a divorce."
"Divorce?" She asked innocently.
"Yes, divorce."
He turned to leave the room.
"Wait." Snow Jiang darted in front of him, blocking his path with both arms stretched. Her eyes shimmered with fake innocence. "About those rules… there's just one tiny thing."
Adrian Quinn's brow twitched. "What now?"
"My mom…" she lowered her gaze, her voice trembling just enough to sound pitiful, "she wants to see me in a wedding dress. Can you arrange that? Just once? I can't let her down." She sniffled, peeking at him from under her lashes. "Besides, isn't it normal for a bride to wear her dress at least once?"
His jaw flexed, annoyance flashing in his eyes. "You really don't know when to stop, do you?"
Snow Jiang bit her lip, pretending to hesitate. "But… since this marriage is only for a few months, at least let me keep this memory."
Adrian Quinn exhaled sharply. "I'll see what I can do. But remember this… this agreement stays secret. If anyone finds out, it's over."
Snow Jiang lowered her head. 'Three months… that should be more than enough for me to get my revenge.' A sinister smile curled on her lips.