Sweet Subterfuge

Chapter 195
After going around in circles, they came back to the starting point.
Larissa was confused. “Mr. Rogers, since you have someone you like, why are you forcing me to marry you?”
She could accept pretending to be his girlfriend, however, faking a marriage was really going too far.
Kevan gazed into the distance and a melancholic aura enveloped him as he continued in a softer tone, “The person I like… I don’t know where she is…”
His voice trailed away and dissipated into the air, just like the person he loved.
The sad expression on his face broke Larissa’s heart. Although she wanted to comfort him, she couldn’t find the right words to say.
“I’m tired of chasing after an illusion for so many years,” Kevan sighed. “When I saw this guarantee letter that you wrote, I suddenly felt that marrying you wouldn’t be too bad either.”
Larissa was at a loss for words.

“I’m not young anymore, and my family has been pressuring me to get married. You’re the only woman I don’t find annoying.” Kevan held her hand. “Even with physical contact, I’m not turned off by your touch.”
Larissa quickly withdrew her hand from his grip. “Mr. Rogers, don’t make such hasty decisions. What if you meet someone else you like in the future?”
“It won’t happen,” Kevan said confidently, “However, I’m also not one to force others into something they don’t like.” He chuckled softly, putting the guarantee letter he was holding into his pocket. “Since you seem unwilling, let’s just leave it at that for today. However, this guarantee letter is valid indefinitely. If you change your mind someday, feel free to come to me.”
His willingness to compromise surprised Larissa.
After all, her impression of him was a domineering and dictatorial person.
Larissa breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t think too much about it although she did feel a little puzzled at his change in temperament. Even though Larissa rejected his proposal, Kevan still dropped off her at the Regal Dynasty Hotel first before heading to the company. Dylan had been waiting for him in his office all morning. He couldn’t contain his excitement when he saw Kevan. “Show me the marriage
certificate!”
“I don’t have it.” Kevan had an unreadable expression on his face.
“What do you mean you don’t have it? Did you not get married at all, or did you just forget to bring it?”
“We didn’t register our marriage.” Kevan took off his coat and draped it over the back of his chair.
Pulling out his chair, he sat down and set up his computer, preparing to start work for the day.
“Hold on,” Dylan banged his hands on the table and stood up in confusion. “Didn’t you get the guarantee letter signed by Larissa herself? This guarantee letter is legally binding. If she changes her mind, you can sue her and request a court order for compulsory execution.” Kevan’s gaze remained fixed on the computer screen as he replied nonchalantly, “It’s ungentlemanly to force a woman against her will.”
Dylan exclaimed in exasperation, “Then why did you drink so much and pretend to be drunk last night? What’s more, you dragged me into putting on a show so that she would sign the guarantee letter. Was all this just a prank to tease her? Or are you pulling my leg instead?”
“This is all part of my plan.” Kevan opened his inbox and quickly read the content of the latest email, chuckling softly.
The real climax was yet to come.
It was 3.47 pm, December 31st.