Maximilian was the legitimate heir. Wasn’t it normal for him to fight for his inheritance?
How did that make him a villain?
Then again, an evil villainess and a powerful villain… it had a certain ring to it.
I had always thought men and marriage were a distraction, a hindrance to my climb up the corporate
ladder.
That’s why I’d wanted a pet.
But since that hadn’t worked out, perhaps it was time to change my strategy.
Maximilian Graves was the real deal.
Even a “true heiress” couldn’t just fire the wife of the family’s scion.
I had six months. It should be enough time.
13:37 Mon, Aug 4
As I calculated my options, my eyes darted around.
Maximilian leaned closer, his face darkening like a thundercloud.
0
X
“Are you trying to think of another way to reject me? Am I really that repulsive to you?”
His voice broke through my thoughts. I placed my hand in his.
“I’m not rejecting you. I accept. We should get married as soon as possible.”
Maximilian looked as if he’d been struck by lightning.
It was the first time I’d ever seen the unflappable CEO look so utterly dumbfounded.
It took him a long moment to find his voice.
“Calla, this isn’t something to joke about.”
Who was joking?
I was already planning how I’d make my future sister–in–law’s life difficult.
I squeezed his hand, a gesture of reluctant reassurance.
“I’m not joking. I genuinely think you’re a great choice. I’m ready to marry you.”
The System shrieked.
【What is this? Why did the villainess agree to the villain’s proposal? This just adds another obstacle for the FL to inherit the Graves fortune!]
[I hate the villainess so much.】
[Can she just die already?]
Their frustration was my delight.
I tilted my head, snapping Maximilian out of his stupor.
He was still muttering to himself.
“Calla, what about… what about that male fox beastman of yours?”
The warmth of his palm was grounding.
I smiled lightly.
“The old one is up for sale. I bought a new one, a very clingy female. You won’t mind, will you?”
Maximilian shook his head, then nodded, then shook it again.
”
10
X
He tried to explain, his face flushing a deep red.
After confirming our relationship, my first order of business was dealing with Silas.
O
The asking price of three hundred thousand dollars for a fox beastman was well above market rate, and no one was biting.
I lowered the price to two hundred and fifty thousand.
Someone bought him almost instantly.
Finally, I was getting rid of that irritating creature who did nothing but glare at me all day.
I celebrated by buying two whole roasted chickens from a high–end organic market, a final farewell feast.
When I got back to my condo, Annie greeted me at the door.
“Mama, I was a good girl today.”
I nodded, stroking her soft fox ears.
I gave her one of the chickens and asked, “Did you see Silas?”
Annie pointed a paw towards the cramped staff room.
“He’s been in there all day.”
I knocked on the door.
Silas sat on the bed with his back to me, wrapped in a blanket like a burrito.
The bed was too small for him.
His magnificent tail drooped sadly to the floor.
I held out the chicken, the savory aroma filling the small space. “Here. Eat something.”
He didn’t move.
I placed the perfectly roasted bird on the flimsy bedside table and waited.
After a long silence, his voice, muffled by the blanket, finally came.
“Why didn’t you come to comfort me?”
The bite on my finger had scabbed over, but the memory still stung.
구
I was twenty–nine years old, and for the first time in my life, I’d had to get tetanus and rabies shots.
13:37 Mon, Aug 4
