"Is it that obvious?" Dallas asked, a faint blush creeping up his neck.
Averi raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected the usually upright and honest Dallas to have such a "scheme" up his sleeve. Curious, she asked, "When did you figure it out?"
Seeing the interest on her face, Dallas had no choice but to answer, "Today."
Tess had been subtle—she had only ever come to his office to talk about student health checks, and even when they had eaten together last time, there were others around. His attention hadn't been on Tess, so he hadn't noticed the details in her gaze or tone. During the demonstration when she brought water, he had vaguely sensed her interest, but she quickly handed water to everyone else, making sure no one was left out. It wasn't until today, when Tess looked at him with that certain gaze, that he realized it wasn't just his imagination. So, while she was asleep, he called Averi over.
He didn't expect Averi to see right through it.
Since the topic had come up, he took the opportunity to clarify, "I brought some students to the hospital today and ran into Dr. Arellano. She was feeling really unwell and couldn't even stand up properly, so I took her to the emergency room."
Averi nodded, then went straight to the point, "Did you carry her? Or—was it a 'princess carry'?"
Dallas paused, tightening his grip on her hand. "Averi."
His voice was low and deep, gentle yet tinged with a hint of helplessness.
Averi smiled playfully. "I'm just kidding. Our Dallas is so disciplined, he must be reciting it by heart."
Locking eyes with him, Averi stretched her fingers, slipping them between his and intertwining them. With a teasing smile, she asked, "Are you worried I'll get jealous?"
Dallas looked at her for a moment, then asked in return, "You wouldn't?"
"If a colleague's feeling sick and needs help, but you choose to just stand aside and watch a girl suffer because of some so-called need to avoid suspicion... Do you really think I'd like someone like that, Dallas?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, someone passed by. Averi instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but Dallas held on tight, not letting go.
Averi's outfit stood out in the military academy, and the passerby glanced at her. Seeing their intertwined hands, the person quickly looked away and hurried off.
When the person was far enough away, Averi looked at Dallas with a sly smile. "Aren't you worried about being seen now?"
Dallas pretended not to understand, tightening his grip on her soft hand. "Let's go home."
After a few steps, Averi chuckled softly. "I swear, it feels like you're hoping I get jealous."
"Does he want that?"
Dallas's emotions were complicated. When she asked him, "Would I like a person like that?", his heart warmed, like he'd just drunk a strong shot of liquor. But in the deepest, most secret corner of his mind, he wanted to see her again—the one who bit his ring finger that evening in his office.
Once in the car, Averi didn't bother to hide her actions. After buckling her seatbelt, she held Dallas's ring finger and examined it carefully. "Looks like we need to get this ring on soon. Dallas, are you free anytime soon? Want to pick a time for the wedding?"
Dallas froze for a moment, turned off the engine that had just started, then turned to look at her, his gaze burning like fire. He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "I'm free anytime."
Averi felt her skin burn under his gaze, her heart skipped a beat, and her lips couldn't help but curl into a smile.
The wedding was officially set in motion. Neither of them liked extravagance, so they decided to hold it in the backyard of the Forbes family's old estate. It was their own place, so no need to schedule in advance—just set aside time for the PR team, and it could be done next month.
Averi personally called all the Forbes family members to inform them about her wedding. Johnathan, Laila, and Eli simply congratulated her. When Odin received the call, there was a brief silence before he laughed, the sound crackling with static. He said congratulations, then mentioned that he had a heavy course load this semester and might not be able to attend the ceremony. Averi responded that academics were important. Out of courtesy, she also informed Mareli, who was pleasantly surprised and even offered to help, but Averi politely declined.
Mareli's intentions were easy to guess—she probably thought that since Averi had married into a family with no power or influence, her own son had a better chance.
Averi found it amusing. Mareli was still the same Mareli.
The biggest reaction came from Teagan, though calling it a big reaction wouldn't be accurate—"cold" would be more fitting.
After being together for so long, Teagan had probably mentally prepared herself. She just asked if Averi was sure. Averi answered calmly, "Yes, I'm sure."
Teagan said "Okay," then hung up. Three days later, she showed up in Averi's office, carrying a thick stack of papers.
"Prenuptial agreement. Take it back and show it to Dallas. If he has any objections, mark them and I'll consult with a lawyer. If there are no issues, sign it early so you can start planning."
Averi flipped to the last page and looked at the page number, raising an eyebrow. "106 pages?"
"It's better to be detailed, so there won't be any issues later."
"Mom, did you and Dad sign one when you got married?"
"We didn't sign one, and that's why he regrets it so much." Teagan smiled. "This is probably the biggest mistake your dad ever made in his life."
Averi flipped through a few pages casually, amused. "If you have a daughter, you get an extra million in the divorce, but if you have a son, he gets an extra two million? Mom, isn't it a bit ironic? Now the chairman is your daughter."
Teagan's expression didn't change. "Averi, this is reality."
Averi smiled but didn't argue with her. Their ways of thinking were different, and debating was just a waste of breath.
Teagan thought she had convinced Averi and was about to speak when she suddenly heard a question from the other side. "Mom, do you and Saul plan to get married?"
Teagan's face changed instantly. She instinctively denied it, but after a moment of thought, she swallowed the denial and instead asked, "How did you find out?"
She was still young—there was no way she was going to wait for Cristopher. After getting settled in S Country, and after a few playful flings and subtle flirtations, she ultimately ended up with Saul Day.
Saul was five years older than her, a native of S Country, and ran a shipping business. After his first wife passed away more than ten years ago, he never remarried, raising their two children to adulthood on his own.
Unlike Cristopher, Saul loved children, and his children loved him in return. They adored Teagan as well, as they did their father.
The reason they hadn't gotten married yet had to do with Teagan. When they divorced, Cristopher had set a condition: the shares could be divided, but if Teagan remarried, she would have to return all the stocks. Of course, Cristopher would compensate her with other assets of equal value. Of course, Cristopher would provide other assets of equal value as compensation.
Teagan had signed without hesitation.
Because of that clause, she had turned down Saul's proposal three times.
Saul had once asked, "Teagan, are you really going to spend your whole life playing second fiddle to Cristopher?"
Teagan replied, "I'm not doing this for him."
Saul sighed. "I know. Honey, whether it's the past or the company, putting so much importance on it only hurts yourself."
Teagan had been silent for a long time before finally saying, "Saul, I just can't swallow this."
Saul didn't pressure her, but the disappointment in his eyes was so obvious that Teagan couldn't bear to look at him.
What she didn't expect was that today, she would hear something similar from her own daughter.
"I used to think the company was everything. Every word I said, every action I took, was to get it. It seemed like the Forbes family belonged to me, but in reality, it was me who belonged to the Forbes family."
What Averi didn't say was, since she knew about Saul, Cristopher must have known long before. So, what was his mindset as he watched Teagan make her choices based on his "condition"?
She didn't want to overthink it, especially since she wasn't sure if Cristopher hadn't signed a prenup with Teagan because he forgot, didn't think it was necessary, or for some other reason.
Pulling her thoughts together, Averi smiled slightly, casually dropping a bombshell: "Mom, Dallas and I have already gotten our marriage certificate."
Teagan snapped back to attention, looking at her in disbelief.
