"Last chance. Are you sure?"
Lisa paused as she heard the man's deep, slightly frigid voice. Was she going to marry this man she'd only met today?
"If the information is correct, please sign it. We don't have a whole day." The personnel urged them with a fake smile.
Lisa's fingertips trembled slightly.
She clenched the pen in her palm and looked tranquil, recalling the morning fights between her brother-in-law and sister. "Yes, I am." she stated calmly.
They both put their names down on the marriage application. Within minutes, Lisa was holding a marriage license in her hands.
She looked at the license and was a little stunned.
"Grandma told me about your bookstore near Beachton Middle School. Close by, at Flower land, I have a suite available. The door is open for you to move in." As the man approached her, his towering frame blocked the light.
He extended a keychain to her. His attractive face showed no sign of emotion.
"I have a busy schedule, so I'll give you a card and set up automatic payments to cover your monthly living expenses while you take care of yourself."
"After all, this is our very first meeting, and we know very little about one another. I propose a secret marriage as a means to prevent much unnecessary troubles. Do you have any concerns?"
"He got a good voice." thought Lisa, "He carries himself in a manner that was both dignified and icy."
Lisa didn't say much. She shook her head, showing that she had no objections.
She disliked troubles for the same reason.
She was, nevertheless, quite open to Clint's idea to relocate. After all, she consented to marry in order to get out of her sister's house as quickly as possible.
"Mr. Merritt, shall we go dutch on the living expenses?" she said, taking the key.
After all, people with deep affections for each other, such as her sister and brother-in-law, had to go Dutch on living expenditures, not to mention that they had just married for convenience.
"There's no need," Clint said, his voice a touch heavy. "Since I am able to marry you, it goes without saying that I am also able to provide for your life."
Lisa gave a tiny smile and didn't say anything further after that.
She was not the type of person who would exploit others. Since he had covered their living expenses, she would do her best to purchase other items in order to repay him after she moved in.
A good life required effort on both sides.
"I still have a meeting to attend. I have to go back. Take a cab first. Is it convenient for you? I'll pay the fare. I'll take my grandma to my brother's place," Clint replied, looking at his watch.
"No need, Mr. Merritt. I can go back by myself."
Clint pulled out his wallet and handed her some cash.
Lisa immediately refused.
"No, I can't—"
Clint sent her a stern glance before she could finish.
"Take it." His voice was very calm, but it conveyed authority and power. Unconsciously, Lisa grabbed it.
It was 200 dollars. Two Benjamin Franklin.
Looking at the cash, she was a little lost in thought.
Clint instructed, "Now go out; Grandma is still waiting outside."
Lisa walked out with him. There was an elderly lady waiting for them at the entrance, and she gave off the impression of being both friendly and stately.
When she saw them, the old lady's eyes sparkled with delight. She came over and put her hand on Lisa's. "Lisa, dear, have you two get the license?"
There was a soft grin on Lisa's face when she answered, "Yes."
"Great! God bless me, I finally have a granddaughter-in-law!" Incredibly ecstatic, Leila held the license and studied it. "Eventually! This rascal in my family has finally 'married out!'"
A small smile tugged at Lisa's lips.
Her meeting with Leila was entirely fortuitous. By chance, she had rescued Leila.
Leila had three sons and nine grandsons in her family, but she didn't have a granddaughter. She loved Lisa as her own granddaughter and always wanted to match Lisa and her eldest grandson.
From Leila's point of view, although her eldest grandson, Clint Merritt, was a senior executive of a big company, it was indeed difficult for him to get married. He could not get married, no matter what.
Therefore, Leila wanted Lisa to be her granddaughter-in-law.
At first, Lisa didn't give this idea any thought. Recently, though, her presence has exacerbated the tension between her brother-in-law and sister.
Lisa finally agreed to Leila in order to leave her brother-in-law's residence and give her sister peace of mind.
She had faith in Leila's grandson's moral character because Leila exemplified high standards of behavior and education. There must be something about his appearance that prevented him from finding a spouse.
And she had her own needs and didn't care about it.
Unexpectedly, when they met today, she found that the so-called grandson of Leila, who was difficult to get married, was not as unattractive as Lisa had imagined. On the opposite, he looked incredible!
A Volkswagen, thank goodness, was what he was driving. It was a regular automobile, not a luxurious one. This didn't put too much pressure on Lisa, after she knew how good-looking he was.
Therefore, Lisa followed him into the City Hall to get the license.
In such a short period, she had married herself off.
Good thing Mr. Merritt seemed to have a cold temper and probably didn't like talking too much. As long as they didn't cause any problems for one another, it didn't matter if they lived under the same roof.
