Marrying the Man in the Dark

Otto’s smile was reassuring. “Ian doesn’t know Mr. Lenoir all that well, and his interest lies solely in Mr. Lenoir’s financial resources. He won’t notice the differences in your voices.” His explanation left Cherise momentarily stunned.

They continued walking in silence for a while more before Cherise felt compelled to counter. “The lan I knew was different,” she asserted. He was attentive, compassionate, and acutely aware of her family’s financial struggles, generously offering her his old study materials when she couldn’t afford new ones. He even noticed when she wasn’t feeling well and expressed genuine concern.

In Cherise’s memory, the Ian from the past was a paragon of gentleness and perfection, which attracted others to him. However, the Ian that Otto had portrayed seemed like a profit-driven opportunist. This stark contrast troubled her deeply. She couldn’t reconcile the Ian she remembered with Otto’s portrayal. Even after she had heard lan’s voice on the phone, she was still in disbelief. She needed to witness these purported changes in Ian firsthand before conceding.

“Change is inevitable, Mrs. Lenoir,” Otto sighed softly, his voice slightly resigned. “But during my interactions with Ian over the past few days, I never thought he was an intellectual.”

Cherise couldn’t help but let out a chuckle at his words. She turned to Otto, her gaze curious. “So, what qualities define a true intellectual?” she inquired.

a smile, “In my opinion, intellectuals should possess traits

first to describe me in that manner,” she remarked. Otto found himself momentarily distracted and captivated

Otto’s footsteps stopped, Cherise’s brows wrinkled looking up at him with concern. “Is something wrong? Did I say something peculiar?” she asked, her tone laced with worry.

replied, clearing his

realized they stood before the door of a room in the hotel. Otto unlocked it and gestured for Cherise to enter. The room was spacious, divided by a large screen. Cherise stood on

relaxed demeanor made her imagine his unkempt appearance. She found it impossible to reconcile this figure with

Cherise to settle into a chair, then nonchalantly addressed the individual on the other side of the screen. “Mr.

on the other end, straightening his attire as he asked, “Damien’s