"For one year, you cannot let anyone capture you with Ken, nor allow people to suspect the relationship between you two." Victor's voice was icy cold as he instructed. "Okay, I have got it." Bella obediently nodded. "Running the entire Wud Corporation is challenging for Ken alone. I hope you can care for him and not disturb his work." Victor's voice suddenly softened, filled with gentle affection and heartache. "It is also my fault for not disciplining his father well; otherwise, there would have been an extra hand to help Ken." Bella blinked her eyes, choosing to stay quiet and listen. Why had it suddenly become a display of deep grandfather-grandson affection?

"Ken is strong-willed; he keeps everything buried inside and never easily reveals his vulnerabilities. Look out for him on my behalf. If anything happens, inform me at once. But none of this should be known by Ken. Otherwise, he will assume it as my doubt in his abilities." Victor's voice remained kindly as ever. The more Bella listened, the more uneasy she felt. Should something be reported to him at the earliest? Was the old man's intention for her to become his spy, watching over Ken all the time?

"This is my number. Call me if you find it necessary." Victor slid his business card over to Bella. "Bella, you are a smart woman. I believe you have understood what I have said. Dennis told me about the condition of you agreeing to the substitute marriage. As you are now my granddaughter-in-law, your mother's matters also become our family's concerns. You do not have to worry." "I understand." Bella took the business card. "Our conversation—" "Ken will not know about it." "Bella, I believe in you. I have faith that you know what is best for you and your mother." Victor nodded with satisfaction. "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave." Bella nodded lightly, turned around, and left the study.

Victor lifted his teacup, slowly rubbing the cup edges in a relaxed manner. His features turned grave. "Ken." After a while, the butler entered the room. "Go and investigate Michael Woods and see if he has recalled anything," Victor ordered, finishing his tea. "Yes, sir."

In the Bentley leaving Elite Villa, there was an additional passenger. A woman, named Mary, around fifty years old, is employed by Ken's grandfather, Victor, to teach Bella etiquette. Bella propped her chin with one hand, gazing at the orderly row of street lights outside the car window, feeling somewhat dazed. Did she just get married like this? Married to a man she had known for less than three hours? However, as long as Beatrice comes back, she can complete this stand-in mission and regain her freedom. The question is, when will Dennis find Beatrice? Never mind, let us not dwell on it. Trading one or two years for her mother's health is a fair deal! Bella breathed out quietly, lightly patting her cheeks.

"Miss, what is wrong?" Mother Mary asked, her voice laced with concern. "Oh, nothing, I was just feeling a bit cold, so I am trying to warm up," Bella replied somewhat awkwardly. As she raised her head, she found herself meeting Ken's phoenix eyes. His gaze was indifferent and cold, carrying a hint of scrutiny as if he could see through people at a glance. The man was dressed casually in an ironed black shirt, with his sleeves casually rolled up, revealing his muscular elbows. The moment their eyes met, the corners of Ken's mouth hooked into a faint smile.

The next second, he pulled his gaze away, closed his eyes, and leaned back in his chair to rest. When the car entered the gate of Serene Villa, it was eight o'clock. "Mother Mary, Mr. Woods often praises your cooking skills. I wonder if you could prepare tonight's dinner," the young butler greeted, taking the coat that Ken handed over and smiling at Mother Mary. "I hope Mr Ken will like the food," Mother Mary laughed, rubbing her hands together, and immediately headed into the kitchen without a word.

"Miss, my name is Junior Clark, I am in charge of Mr. Ken's daily life. If you need anything in the future, please feel free to instruct me," Junior said respectfully. "Thank you," Bella said, receiving the slippers handed over by Junior. They were pink, short, and plush – very comfortable to the touch. Hmm, they matched the pair that Woods Ken was wearing. Couple's style. Slightly adjusting her mindset, Bella slipped on the slippers, walked over to the sofa, and sat opposite Ken. The reason she followed him here was that there were a few things she wanted to clarify.

"What was your intention in agreeing to marry in place of Beatrice?" However, it was Ken who broke the silence first. He was lounging lazily on the couch, his eyes indifferent.

"My mother has leukemia," Bella replied honestly. "Dennis threatened me, saying if I didn't agree, my mother would never find a suitable bone marrow donor."

"Starting from today, you'll live here," said Ken, loosening his collar.

"Why?" Bella frowned. "The understanding of your grandfather was to remain married in privacy until Beatrice returns, which means I don't need to live here!"

"Who did you marry? My grandfather, or me?" Ken looked at her, his tone stern.

"President Woods, the one supposed to marry you, isn't me, it's Beatrice," Bella bit her lip.

"The bride on the marriage certificate is you."

"That's because you tore Beatrice's information!" Bella was on the verge of stomping her feet in frustration. Thinking about this matter, she felt a bit of a headache.

Before she left Wills's house, Dennis, her father, repeatedly beseeched and threatened her, insisting that the name on the marriage certificate must be Beatrice's! Who would have known that when she handed Beatrice's prepared information to the Civil Affairs Bureau, it would be snatched away by Ken? Moreover, he burned all the information!

"I only care about the result," Woods Ken's eyes flashed briefly. "As Mrs. Woods, if not here, where would you live?"

Bella was grinding her molars in silence. She did not want to live here! A man and a woman living together – who knows what might happen?

"Don't worry, I'm not interested in you." Ken's thin lips curled into a slight smirk, seemingly mocking.

"I'm not interested in you either!" slipped out of Bella, almost instinctively.

"Fair enough, how am I to follow your grandfather's orders if I don't stay here?" Bella suddenly licked her lips, smiling as she met his gaze.

Hearing this, a hint of amusement flashed in Ken's eyes. He crossed his arms, looking at the girl with interest: "Continue."

He could guess what the old man had said to her in the study. What he didn't expect, though, was her admitting it so openly.

"Your grandfather, Mr. Woods, gave me two tasks," Bella said with a wry smile. "One is to maintain a covert marriage, and the second is to keep an eye on you. He said he's worried about you, afraid that you might carry all the burdens by yourself, hence asked me to pay more attention to your movements."