Chapter 43: Chapter 43

In the hallway between the elevator and the CEO’s office, it was as if a bombshell had just been dropped, followed by the deafening silence.

Assistant Jiang rubbed his eyes– no, he rubbed his ears. Was he hearing things? What Ms. Lin said just now… The assistant looked at his Boss to see if he had also heard her.

However, unlike Assistant Jiang who was overwhelmed with shock, Andrew’s expression didn’t waver. The dark look was still on his face. Even if he was shocked, he didn’t show it.

The tension became more tense as the couple shared an intense gaze battle. Then out of nowhere, Andrew grabbed her arm and headed back into the elevator.

Assistant Jiang was thrown into another whirlwind of shock. But he didn’t linger there with his mouth and eyes agape. He jumped inside the elevator which took them to the parking lot.

No words were exchanged. The couple sat in the backseat of the car while the assistant sat in the front seat with the driver.

“Erm, Mr. Lim.” Assistant Jiang looked back and cleared his throat. “Where– Where are we going?”

“To the Magistrate.” Came the man’s sharp reply. He was still holding onto the girl’s hand as if she would disappear.

The magistrate stood in the city’s center. The sun burned high up in the sky. The bright city was bustling with vehicles and the noises of people.

Throughout the ride, the couple did not say a word to each other. While Annie sat like a robot, looking straight ahead, Andrew was looking out of the other window.

Ah! Were they on the way to a marriage or death ceremony?

Assistant Jiang was literally sweating inside. He would glance at the rearview mirror once in a while to see if the couple would show any reaction. Apart from the girl, his Boss was also creeping him out. And he wondered: was following them the best thing to do?

But if Assistant Jiang didn’t follow them, his mind wouldn’t be at ease. What if they tore each other apart in his absence?

“Assistant Jiang!” His Boss’s hard voice made him shudder. They had arrived at the Magistrate and he seemed to be calling him for a while now.

“B– Boss, Mr. Lim–“

“Get me the Manager.”

Assistant Jiang quickly nodded. He hurried out of the car into the Magistrate to look for its head. Moments later, he found the old man.

“What did you say brought you?” The old man asked him.

Assistant Jiang scratched his head. “It seems Mr. Lim is here to tie the knot. Erm, Old Man, don’t ask too many questions, okay?”

The Old man looked a bit skeptical. He was used to these rich people with their way of life. Marriage was an important thing, and this messenger was acting suspiciously.

If he hadn’t known Mr. Lim to be a righteous man, he would have thought the bride was kidnapped. Some weeks ago in this city, Mr. Lim had performed a generous act. Even he happened to benefit from his generosity. From that day, his son’s business had been booming.

“Tell Mr. Lim that everything is ready. He can come in with the bride.”

Assistant Jiang went back to the car and delivered the news. He opened the door and the couple stepped outside.

“Mr. Lim, can you– can you stop holding her like that?” The assistant said fearfully. That Old Man was already acting suspicious.

If he saw his Boss looking angry and holding the girl like some jewel thief, would he not reconsider?

“Hehe, I didn’t know Mr. Lim to be this insecure.” Annie’s words followed the assistant’s? Her eyes shone with mischief and she wriggled her hand free then walked ahead of them.

The assistant wiped his sweat. Was he the only one feeling like something was amiss here?

“Mr. Lim, I’ll lead the way.” He hurried after Annie while Andrew followed them.

The girl was already sitting in front of the old man. With a gentle smile on her face, she answered all his questions carefully.

Assistant Jiang couldn’t help but compare her to the girl from minutes ago. Since he saw her again after three years, her actions didn’t cease to surprise him. And somehow, he had grown wary of her.

Who wouldn’t be afraid of a simple girl who managed to shatter the all-mighty Mr. Lim’s heart?

“I need your signature, Mr. Lim.” In a few seconds, the Old Man had already issued the Marriage Certificate.

No documents for verification. No long questions about if the couple were willing. This was the power of the rich. If Mr. Lim could command authority in the city not long after he moved here, the Old Man knew better to do his bidding.

Andrew put his signature on the certificate then Annie put hers also.

Assistant Jiang’s heart was now beating rapidly. He wasn’t the one getting married, why was he suddenly getting nervous?

The couple themselves looked as if they were signing on some insignificant document.

“I– I’ll do it.” When it was time to take the photo, Assistant Jiang took pity on the cameraman who looked no less anxious than he was. He took the camera and approached the couple.

“Mr. Lim, could you give me a smile?”

The man’s frown only deepened. His look told the assistant that if he didn’t shut up, his salary might be cut in half.

Assistant Jiang sighed resignedly. While the man had on a blank look, the girl looked calm. They maintained a little distance from each other and were staring straight at the camera.

*Click*

Three photos rolled out of the camera and Assistant Jiang retrieved it. He gave them to the Old Man who stamped them on each copy of the Marriage Certificates. He kept one copy for himself and gave the other two copies to the couple.

“Congratulations, Mr. And Mrs. Lim, you are now husband and wife.”

Just like that, they were married.