The next morning arrived faster than Emily expected.
Large suitcases stood beside the door of her temporary room.
She stared at them with a nervous sigh.
"So this is really happening," she murmured.
Living in the Knight residence.
The place that Sophia had described as if it were a battlefield.
Before she could think any further, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Emily said.
Alexander stepped inside, already dressed in his usual perfectly tailored suit.
"You're ready?" he asked calmly.
Emily looked at the suitcases.
"I guess I have no choice."
Alexander studied her face for a moment.
"You can still leave."
Emily blinked in surprise.
"Leave?"
"Yes," he said simply. "Our agreement only works if you want it to."
Emily hesitated.
For a brief moment, she considered what her life would look like if she walked away right now.
But then she remembered the contract.
And the reason she had agreed to this marriage in the first place.
She shook her head.
"No. I'm not quitting."
Alexander nodded once.
"Good."
An hour later, their car drove through the massive iron gates of the Knight residence.
Emily stared out the window in disbelief.
The mansion was enormous.
Elegant fountains decorated the front courtyard, and perfectly trimmed gardens stretched across the estate.
"This place looks like a palace," Emily whispered.
Alexander didn't seem impressed.
"It's just a house."
Emily gave him a look.
"A normal house doesn't have a fountain the size of a swimming pool."
The car finally stopped in front of the grand entrance.
A group of household staff were already standing outside in two straight lines.
Emily froze.
"Why are there so many people?"
Alexander stepped out of the car.
"They work here."
Emily followed him nervously.
As soon as she stepped onto the stone driveway, the staff bowed politely.
"Welcome home, Young Master."
Then their eyes slowly shifted toward Emily.
Some of them looked curious.
Some looked confused.
And a few looked clearly disapproving.
Emily suddenly felt very out of place.
A tall woman stepped forward from the group.
She looked to be in her late forties, dressed neatly in a dark uniform.
"Good morning, Young Master," she said respectfully.
Alexander nodded.
"Mrs. Carter, this is Emily."
The woman turned to Emily.
Her polite smile did not quite reach her eyes.
"So this is the new Mrs. Knight."
Emily forced a friendly smile.
"Nice to meet you."
Mrs. Carter gave a small nod.
"We have prepared a room for you."
Emily blinked.
"A room?"
Before she could say more, Alexander spoke.
"That won't be necessary."
Mrs. Carter looked confused.
"Sir?"
Alexander placed a calm hand on Emily's shoulder.
"My wife will stay in my room."
The staff members exchanged shocked glances.
Even Mrs. Carter seemed surprised.
Emily's face turned red instantly.
Alexander ignored their reactions.
"Please move her luggage upstairs."
The staff quickly obeyed.
But Emily could still feel their curious eyes following her.
As she and Alexander walked inside the mansion, Emily leaned closer and whispered urgently,
"You didn't tell me we were sharing a room."
Alexander looked straight ahead.
"If we don't, my grandfather will suspect the marriage."
Emily groaned quietly.
"This is going to be a disaster."
Alexander's lips curved into the smallest hint of a smile.
"Relax."
But Emily wasn't relaxed at all.
Because from the second floor balcony above them…
Someone was already watching.
Sophia.
And the look in her eyes promised that Emily's stay in the Knight residence had just become far more dangerous.