Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Stephanie scoped out Vincent’s chiseled features, from his brows and eyes down to his straight nose, and those perfectly shaped lips. She pressed her lips against his. Her heart raced uncontrollably–it was her first kiss in two lifetimes.

Being inexperienced, the kiss was sweet and tentative, her tongue brushed timidly against Vincent’s lips.

Vincent’s breathing grew heavier, his Adam’s apple bobbing. He wanted to guide her with his hand, to hold the back of her head, but he restrained himself, allowing her to have her way with him.

Zane, in the driver’s seat, caught a glimpse of the scene in the rearview mirror and was utterly shocked. ‘Our Mr. Fletcher, the lone woll, is getting cory with a lady. And she’s all in!’ Zane’s mind raced.

One icy look from Vincent, and Zane freaked, hitting the button to lift the divider, pronto. Just like that, the car split into two worlds.

Vincent saw her eyes, all dewy, and gently swiped at her lips. “You’re quite forward, aren’t you?”

Stephanie wrapped her arms around Vincent’s. “I’m only this bold with my man, and that was my first kiss.”

Her words seemed to please Vincent, as Stephanie noticed a hint of a smile in the depths of his eyes.

Soon, the car stopped outside the city hall. The staff, already waiting for them, watched as Stephanie pushed Vincent inside.

The couple took their first photo of their new life together in the photo booth. Stephanie just couldn’t help beaming at Vincent’s dashing look in the photo.

“Why are you grinning like that?” Vincent asked.

“Because I got myself a hot hubby.” Stephanie couldn’t help but boast

“Guess you dig my look,” Vincent shot back, all playful.

“You’re like a snack, Stephanie said..

That left Vincent speechless. Thanks to Vincent’s big-shot rep, they snagged a marriage license, even missing some of the usual paperwork.

The second 5

Stephanie hopped back in the car, she cracked up at the fancy script on the certificate. It was like some kind of fairy tale.

She turned to Vincent. “Can I bite your hand to check if I’m dreaming?”

Vincent was taken aback. “What?”

“To see if this is a dream,” she explained.

Vincent Laughed, “How about you take a bite out of yourself instead of me?”

She flashed a grin. “Nah, I’m a chicken when it comes to pain.” Before he could say another word, she nipped at his hand.

That touch, though, made Vincent’s eyes go dark. He quickly pulled his hand back, discreetly pulling the blanket on his lap up as if to cover something.

“Did that hurt?” Stephanie checked in.

It didn’t really, it was like a small cat scratch, but Vincent feared she might do it again, the teasing igniting a fire within him. He replied huskily, “It did, so you’re not dreaming, it’s already 9:30, I’ll take you back to your place.”

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Chapter 5

Remembering his physical anomaly, Stephanie cleared her throat, “We’re married now. We can live together.”

Stephanie had been forward all night, drawing an amused laugh from Vincent. “You’re quite eager, aren’t you?”

“Just can’t wait to get handsy with my man,” Stephanie tossed back.

Gazing into her eager peepers, Vincent murmured, “Tonight, you pack. Tomorrow, I’m picking you up.”

“Deall” said Stephanie.

At quarter past ten, they pulled up outside the hourious Hayes manor’s gate.

“Guess this is goodbye for now,” Stephanie said, wishing the moment didn’t have to end.

Vincent just hummed, playing it cool, but his eyes were all over her.

As Stephanie swung the car door open, she landed a quick smooch on Vincent’s lips. “Catch ya later, babe. Don’t forget to call” She hopped out, gave a little wave, and bolted for the big house.

“She called me babe?” Vincent kinda zoned out, his fingers brushing his lips where hers had been. With a tiny smirk, he told Zane, “Let’s head to the Fletcher residence.”

Zane frowned, “Mr. Vincent, do you really trust Stephanie? She was brought back by Douglas himself.”

Vincent’s eyes were deep and mysterious, “So, you think she played this whole act just to ruin Douglas and Florence’s reputation?”

Zane hesitated, “Maybe Stephanie harbors a grudge.”

Vincent’s scowl deepened. “She’s Mrs. Fletcher now,” he corrected.

“Got it,” Zane nodded.

The second Stephanie stepped into the Hayes manor, a coffee cup came flying at her. She ducked fast, and it missed her hair by an inch, but the coffee Splattered over her white dress.

“Did it hit you?” Austin came hustling up.

Stephanie shook her head. “All good, Grandpa.”

“Good.” Austin turned toward the visibly angry Matilda, shouting, “What are you doing?”

Matilda was fuming. “She ruined Florence! She deserves to dic!”

On the sofa, Horace just sat puffing on his smoke, while Florence was sobbing into her hands.

Austin was about to speak when Stephanie gently held his arm. “Shouldn’t Florence be blamed instead, for messing around with my fiancé?”

Matilda lifted her chin all high and mighty. “You should’ve continued with the engagement and denied all those photos and videos! By calling off the engagement, you turned those fake images into truth, ruining Florence and her career!”

Stephanie was accustomed to her mother’s sarcasm and coldness. She never understood why she was the less loved sibling, even though she was only two minutes older than Florence. While Florence had beautiful dresses and adorable dolls, Stephanie only had a fow clothes to rotate through and could only watch her sister play.

No matter how hard Stephanie worked, she realized her parents would never acknowledge her. Favoritism had no rhyme or reason.

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Chapter 5

Her grip tightened on her purse as she spelled it out slowly, “The photos can be falsified, but the videos can’t. She had no shame. Why should I be the dummy here, pretending not to see the game? You’re all ‘Poor Florence, but do you even think about what I want?”

Matilda just laughed in her lace. “It’s your fault you couldn’t keep a man. How can you blame Florence Go issue a statement saying those photos and videos are fake, that you fell for Vincent and staged all this.”

With a bitter smile, Stephanie had to wonder what she was even hoping for. “So you want me to dive into this storm?” Stephanie threw back at her.

Matilda glanced ever. “You don’t matter. When it calms down, you’ll be yesterday’s news. But Flore, she’s in the spotlight; can’t let her star get tarnished!”

Then, Stephanie turned to Horace. “Dad, you feel the same?”

“I’m sorry you’re caught up in this, Stephanie.” Horace let out a heavy sigh.

“Sorry? She’s probably the one messing with the pics and videos. Envying Flore’s spotlight!” Matilda huffed.

“Envy?” Stephanie looked at Florence with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Florence, you think I’m jealous of your talent?”

Florence gave her this woeful look and whispered, “Stephie, I can’t have my name dragged through the mud.”

With a snort, Stephanie yanked a marriage license out of her bag.

cheers to Vincent and me. I’m moving out tomorrow.”

Matilda’s jaw dropped. Horace choked on his smoke, coughing up a storm. Florence was so shocked she stopped crying.

Austin just peered at the marriage license. After an age, he said, “You two make a cute couple.”

Matilda darted over to Stephanie. “Married? What about the wedding gift? How many shares are you snagging from Fletcher Group? How many deals are they giving Hayes Group each year?”

“I’m not asking for a dime,” Stephanie said, all smiles.

that? You’re an idiot!” Matilda’s face turned red hot, and she looked like she was ready to slap Stephanie right then and there.

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