Chapter 9 Alicia pressed the doorbell , shifting uneasily on the doorstep . A housekeeper opened the door , surprise flickering across her face at the sight of Alicia - soaked to the skin and looking utterly disheveled . ) " Oh , my dear " The woman had no idea what Alicia had been through , but she welcomed her in all the same . She fetched a fresh pair of slippers and , with a gentle touch , draped a soft shawl around Alicia's shoulders & " Mr. Lynch is in a video meeting ," she said kindly .

" He told me you'd be coming . Just have a seat in the living room and wait a moment , will you ? I'll go make you some warm sweet soup . " Alicia fell a pang of gratitude . Kindness from strangers was rare in her life , but something about this housekeeper put her at ease . She glanced nervously around the living room , mesmerized by the elegant décor . She didn't dare sit down - worried she'd sully Mr. Lynch's spotless cream sofa.l It was obvious : Mr.

Lynch was a man of means and refined taste . Judging by the immaculate order of his home , he was probably a gentleman , too . " She waited barely three minutes before Mr. Lynch emerged from his study - not long at all . He was dressed casually , likely straight from the shower , his hair still damp and tousled . Mr. Lynch looked about the same age as Vincent , but his features were sharper , more striking - the kind of face that would hold its own even among movie stars .

Suddenly , Alicia felt a wave of insecurity and second thoughts . Why would someone like him ever want to marry her ? 3 " Mr. Lynch , " she managed , her voice tentative . o you ? " He paused , taking in Alicia's drenched and bedraggled state . " Did you just save the world or something ? What happened to Alicia froze , dropping her gaze , embarrassed . For someone with such a reputation , Mr. Lynch's bluntness was unexpected - almost unkind .

" Wilms , take her to get cleaned up and find her some dry clothes ," he said , frowning as he looked Alicia up and down . " Anyone who didn't know better would think a stray wandered in . " His words were laced with sarcasm , but then he turned and fatched some cold medicine , mixing it into a glass of water and bringing it over to her . " Alicia was almost taken aback . Acts of kindness had been so rare for her . " Th - thank you . " !! " Drink up , then go take a hot shower .

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We'll talk when y you're done . " He handed her a folder with a contract inside - the words " Prenuptial Agreement " clearly printed on the cover ! Alicia nodded , downed the medicine in one gulp , and followed the housekeeper out of the room , feeling like a lost puppy . Mr. Lynch watched her go , raising his hand as if to stop her , but it was too late . Was the water not hot enough , or the medicine not bitter ? She just gulped it down in one go . This Alicia … she was something else .

When Alicia came out of the shower , she was surprised to find a set of clean , comfortable clothes laid out on the guest room bed : a simple oversized T - shirt and a pair of shorts . ) The housekeeper tapped on the door , smiling warmly as she entered . These belonged to Mr. Lynch's niece . She stayed here for a while not long ago . They're brand new and freshly laundered - don't worry about it . " Alicia waved her hands quickly .

" I don't mind at all … I just don't want to ruin them , " " It's no trouble . She has more clothes than she knows what to do with . Think of them as a gift . The woman set down a steaming bowl of sweet soup and slipped out . " Alicia dressed and glanced down at herself . Her legs were long and pale , but the shorts exposed every bruise and scar - the remnants of a recent car accident and countless other injures . It was almost too much to look at .

After much hesitation , she finally dried her hair and stepped out . Tyrone Lynch was in the living room , still waiting , speaking quietly on the phone . Alicia lingered just out of sight , not wanting to disturb him . He caught sight of her , ended his call , and picked up the prenuptial agreement . " Shall we talk ? " She nodded and stepped forward . " Mr. Lynch , could you tell me your terms ? " He laid the contract on the coffee table . " Marry me .

The arrangement will last three to five years - until my grandfather passes away . there's to be no talk of divorce . We won't have to act as a real couple , and the marriage will stay private . You'll play the part of my granddaughter in law for family gatherings . Hear's my secondary credit card - use it however you need while we're manied . When it youll keep this apartment in Seaview City Everything else is spelled out in the contract " % Alicia stared at him , stunned .

He sounded less like a man proposing manlage and more like someone offering a business partnership , a job But the terms .. were generous beyond anything she'd imagined : ||