Despicable husband to be

"Carter, can we... go somewhere else? I would rather not be in her room..."

"Raina, don't worry. She's completely drunk and won't wake up. Besides, even if she does, it doesn't matter. I don't care if I break up with her now. You should know that I never had feelings for her..."

"But..."

"There's nothing to feel guilty about. Babe, you know everything. I'm only with her because of Star Entertainment. That foolish woman believed I would marry her, so she obediently transferred all the company shares to me. Now that I have control over Star Entertainment, I'll break up with her as soon as I find the right opportunity. How does that sound..."

Before long, the voices from the bathroom were replaced by heavy breathing.

In the bedroom, Vivian slowly closed her eyes. Her hands clenched tightly, the pain from her nails digging into her palms serving as a harsh reminder of the reality she was facing... So, Carter Johnson's true love had always been another woman. So, he had only been with her because he coveted Star Entertainment. Star Entertainment was the company her father had left to her, but since she didn't like business, she had, in her complete trust of Carter, fallen for his sweet words and transferred the shares to him. Because she had always believed he would be her future husband. But it turns out, it was all just a bad soap opera...

When Vivian opened her eyes again, they were tinged with a faint redness. She raised a hand to brush aside the messy strands of hair on her forehead, and as she did, the blood from her palm dripped onto her face. The blood mingled with her tears, trailing down her pale cheeks, the vivid color adding a touch of cold sorrow to her expression. She remained lying there, keeping her eyes closed, as if she had drifted off again. It wasn't until the two in the bathroom, still kissing, left the room, their sickening sweet words fading into silence, that she opened her eyes again. Her gaze was empty as she stared at the ceiling, letting the tears flow silently...

At that moment, she didn't storm out to catch them in the act. Instead, she sank into memories of the past:

She remembered... She was the beloved daughter of the chairman of the Walker Group. Three years ago, her father had arranged a marriage for her, but she had never met her fiancé. She was certain, however, that her father had chosen someone with good character. But she fell in love with Carter Johnson! For him, she had even threatened her father, saying she would only marry Carter or no one at all. When her father refused to relent, she ran away with Carter and left the Walker family.

Though she was born into a business family, her true passion was acting. Her dream was to one day become an international superstar. She had been a child star, and by her teenage years, she was already an experienced and talented actress. But because Carter said, "I don't like actresses from the entertainment industry," she retired two years ago, giving up her beloved career, which left her now as nothing more than a forgotten face in the audience, watching the stage she once ruled. But... her cousin Raina is also an actress. And now, she's a rising star. It turns out, he didn't reject actresses; he just didn't love her! And... Star Entertainment used to be a subsidiary of Walker Group. Initially, her father didn't want to delve into the film industry, but seeing her interest, he decided to separate Star Entertainment from the Walker Group and handed it over to her to manage independently.

Despite everything, she didn't actually like the business lifestyle. So, on the day Carter Johnson proposed to her, she agreed to transfer her shares in the company to him. Little did she expect that the proposal was just a trick to deceive her.

Vivian Walker felt a surge of regret and anger as she remembered her father's warnings that Carter wasn't someone she could rely on for life. She wished she could drag her past self out and give her a good beating. But it was too late now!

An hour later, Vivian had calmed down a little. Her vacant stare at the ceiling softened, and she slowly sat up. As her eyes fell on a portrait she had painted herself, she momentarily felt dazed. Then, she defiantly lifted her chin, bit her lip, and muttered to herself:

"Jackson Carter, I never tolerated even a grain of sand in my eyes! Since you've betrayed me, then... goodbye!"

As she finished speaking, her gaze shifted from the portrait to her phone on the nightstand. Trembling, she picked up the phone and opened her father's contact number... but her finger hesitated over the dial button.

Her father, being so nostalgic, probably hadn't changed his number. But... how could she face him after running away from home?

Vivian blinked and sighed. In the end, she couldn't muster the courage to call. Just as she was about to put the phone down, it chimed with a new message.

She looked at the screen and saw a text from an unfamiliar number. Vivian opened the message, stunned. The message read:

"Hello! I'm Henry Martin. I've just returned to the country and heard from Grandpa that you're my fiancée. Grandpa is pushing for the marriage, so let's get married."

Henry Martin?

Vivian's gaze lingered on the name for a while. When she came to her senses, she remembered this name-Henry Martin, her fiancé! Specifically, he was the fiancé she had never met. The arranged marriage her father set up was with this person.

She had never known Henry Martin's background, only that he had been abroad for the past three years. Her father insisted on this marriage because, ten years ago, Henry Martin's grandfather had saved him. From Henry's tone, it seemed he was unaware of her situation over the past three years.

Even though Vivian and Carter had eloped, it appeared her father hadn't canceled the arranged marriage. Henry had just returned and probably didn't know about her and Carter.

But... marriage? Was Henry so eager to marry due to pressure from his family that he suddenly sent her this message, even though they had never met?

In the past, Vivian would have rejected the proposal outright. But now... With her mind full of her father's wishes and Carter's betrayal, and after reading the message several times, she felt an inexplicable urge to agree. However, considering her situation...

Vivian didn't like deceiving people. After thinking it over, she replied with a message that included the details of her elopement with another man, her resignation as chairman of Star Entertainment, and Carter's betrayal. She wrote: "If you don't mind all this, I'm willing to marry you."

Quickly, Henry's response came: "Where are you? I don't like delays. Bring your ID, and I'll pick you up to go to the registry office."

Vivian:... The registry office? Was this to get the marriage certificate? Vivian wasn't mistaken; that was indeed what he meant.

Two hours later, Vivian found herself holding a small red booklet. Sitting in the car, she looked at the words "Marriage Certificate" on the booklet, her expression somewhat dazed. In a single day, she broke up with one person and married a stranger?

"Henry Martin." Vivian suddenly turned her head, her gaze meeting the handsome face of the unfamiliar man driving. "Handsome" seemed too ordinary a word to describe his appearance. He had a naturally exquisite face that could make any woman want to scream. His dark brows were like sharp swords, angled above his eyes. His eyes were as deep as dark jade, dark and profound, with a cold and noble air, surrounded by a mist that made his gaze seem hazy and unclear.

He was a man one would remember after a single glance. And this man had become her husband today?

Despite everything, she didn't actually like the business lifestyle. So, on the day Carter Johnson proposed to her, she agreed to transfer her shares in the company to him. Little did she expect that the proposal was just a trick to deceive her.

Vivian Walker felt a surge of regret and anger as she remembered her father's warnings that Carter wasn't someone she could rely on for life. She wished she could drag her past self out and give her a good beating. But it was too late now!

An hour later, Vivian had calmed down a little. Her vacant stare at the ceiling softened, and she slowly sat up. As her eyes fell on a portrait she had painted herself, she momentarily felt dazed. Then, she defiantly lifted her chin, bit her lip, and muttered to herself:

"Johnson Carter, I never tolerated even a grain of sand in my eyes! Since you've betrayed me, then... goodbye!"

As she finished speaking, her gaze shifted from the portrait to her phone on the nightstand. Trembling, she picked up the phone and opened her father's contact number... but her finger hesitated over the dial button.

Her father, being so nostalgic, probably hadn't changed his number. But... how could she face him after running away from home?

Vivian blinked and sighed. In the end, she couldn't muster the courage to call. Just as she was about to put the phone down, it chimed with a new message.

She looked at the screen and saw a text from an unfamiliar number. Vivian opened the message, stunned. The message read:

"Hello! I'm Henry Martin. I've just returned to the country and heard from Grandpa that you're my fiancée. Grandpa is pushing for the marriage, so let's get married."

Henry Martin?

Vivian's gaze lingered on the name for a while. When she came to her senses, she remembered this name-Henry Martin, her fiancé! Specifically, he was the fiancé she had never met. The arranged marriage her father set up was with this person.

She had never known Henry Martin's background, only that he had been abroad for the past three years. Her father insisted on this marriage because, ten years ago, Henry Martin's grandfather had saved him. From Henry's tone, it seemed he was unaware of her situation over the past three years.

Even though Vivian and Carter had eloped, it appeared her father hadn't canceled the arranged marriage. Henry had just returned and probably didn't know about her and Carter.

But... marriage? Was Henry so eager to marry due to pressure from his family that he suddenly sent her this message, even though they had never met?

In the past, Vivian would have rejected the proposal outright. But now... With her mind full of her father's wishes and Carter's betrayal, and after reading the message several times, she felt an inexplicable urge to agree. However, considering her situation...

Vivian didn't like deceiving people. After thinking it over, she replied with a message that included the details of her elopement with another man, her resignation as chairman of Star Entertainment, and Carter's betrayal. She wrote: "If you don't mind all this, I'm willing to marry you."

Quickly, Henry's response came: "Where are you? I don't like delays. Bring your ID, and I'll pick you up to go to the registry office."

Vivian:... The registry office? Was this to get the marriage certificate? Vivian wasn't mistaken; that was indeed what he meant.

Two hours later, Vivian found herself holding a small red booklet. Sitting in the car, she looked at the words "Marriage Certificate" on the booklet, her expression somewhat dazed. In a single day, she broke up with one person and married a stranger?

"Henry Martin." Vivian suddenly turned her head, her gaze meeting the handsome face of the unfamiliar man driving. "Handsome" seemed too ordinary a word to describe his appearance. He had a naturally exquisite face that could make any woman want to scream. His dark brows were like sharp swords, angled above his eyes. His eyes were as deep as dark jade, dark and profound, with a cold and noble air, surrounded by a mist that made his gaze seem hazy and unclear.

He was a man one would remember after a single glance. And this man had become her husband today?

"Five Virtues" is a major TV drama produced by Pinnacle Entertainment, a leading name in the industry. It's one of the most significant productions of the year, and Director William bolye is well-known in the field. Typically, a production of this scale wouldn't need to recruit new actors from an acting school. However, Director bolye has announced that to avoid "audience fatigue," "Five Virtues" will aim to feature fresh faces.

Moreover, it's also an opportunity to discover new talent.

Vivian Walker wasn't exactly a newcomer. She had started acting at a young age as a child star and was a seasoned actress. However, after retiring for two years, she had faded from public view and been largely forgotten.

As Vivian entered Sterling Arts Academy, Henry Martin received a call and had to leave for an important matter, so he didn't accompany her inside.

Vivian's presence was striking. Dressed in a black leather outfit, sunglasses, high heels, and with her long hair styled in voluminous waves, her sophisticated yet fashionable look drew many admiring glances. She was a natural star, with an oval face, sharp features, and bold brows that matched her edgy outfit. As she walked through the academy, students began to murmur:

"Who is this senior? She looks astonishing!"

"Why does she seem a bit familiar?"

"With such a cool, stylish look, could she be here to audition? I heard that 'Five Virtues' features five female spies from the wartime era, and one of the roles, Cold Beauty, fits her look."

"Come on, Cold Beauty is the most popular role in 'Five Virtues,' and it's already been assigned to Emily Green from Pinnacle Entertainment. There's no way a newcomer would get that part."

"Exactly. Even though 'Five Virtues' is supposedly looking for new talent, important roles will definitely go to established stars and young celebrities."

Hearing these comments, Vivian felt a mix of emotions. It was clear that after two years away, she had been forgotten. Moreover, because she had focused on her studies and avoided media hype or variety shows, her fame had waned despite her acting skills. Being overlooked was to be expected.

After registering and receiving her number, Vivian waited in the audition area. When it was her turn, she walked into the audition room and immediately drew the attention of the twelve judges, who all turned to look at her.

The other candidates who had just finished auditioning also glanced at her, intrigued by her striking appearance-fiery red lips and a cold yet alluring aura.

Vivian greeted the judges and introduced herself, "Hello, I'm Vivian Walker, here to audition for the role of Cold Beauty."

"Cold Beauty?" One of the judges frowned slightly. "Did you review the script that was distributed in the waiting area? Today's audition is for the role of Lily Green."

Cold Beauty had already been assigned to Lilly Green, so there was no need for a newcomer.

Lily Green was actually a great role for any student from Sterling Arts Academy. As one of the female spies in "Five Virtues," Lily Green was portrayed as a rural girl who, after enemy troops killed her family.

She moved to the city and, despite her rough background and ordinary appearance, became a member of the resistance.

The "Five Virtues" refers to the different skills of the five female spies: Cold Beauty's exceptional combat skills, Emily wilson's decoding expertise, Marble Davis's translation abilities, Sophia Black's beauty, and Lily Green's extraordinary hearing.

Lily Green was considered the most unrefined and least educated among the five, known for her sincerity and plain appearance. Although Vivian knew that landing such a role was already a significant opportunity, she felt that Cold Beauty suited her better.

Summoning her courage, she said, "I will perform Cold Beauty exceptionally well."

She removed her sunglasses, her confident gaze resembling the demeanor of Cold Beauty in the script.

"You..." Five of the twelve judges suddenly pointed at Vivian, astonished, "Are you Vivian Walker? Did you just say you're Vivian Walker, the child star?"