She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 418

The expression on Lyra's face instantly shattered, and she quickly lowered her head. Stroking his hand down her spine, Rowan smoothly added, "Bring your ID tomorrow. We're going to City Hall."

Lyra's heart went completely ice-cold. She felt like she was actively digging her own grave. Forcing herself to remain perfectly calm, she said, "You and Jasmine are both so highly educated, and I'm genuinely jealous of that."

Her voice took on a wistful, longing tone. "I haven't taken a single class since I was twenty, and my education has been completely stagnant. I want to go abroad and finish my degree."

Rowan arched an eyebrow at her. "What major? For how many years? Are you willing to have bodyguards follow your every move, and will you agree to get married before you leave the country? Once you agree to all of my conditions, I'll consider it."

Lyra fought the burning urge to slap him across the face. Why did every single thing she wanted to do require his direct approval? Was he her father?!

Swallowing her rage, she replied, "We are not getting married. My mother hasn't accepted you yet, and your family definitely won't accept me."

Rowan's gaze slowly dropped to her flat stomach. "Once your belly is swollen with my child, they won't have a choice but to accept it."

Lyra never imagined he would actually resort to something so extreme. Unable to suppress her anger for another second, she shot up from his lap.

Only for the man's heavy hands to grab her and forcefully yank her right back down.

...

Just then, Josie Somerset happened to appear on the television screen. Dressed in a flowing, ethereal period costume that clung perfectly to her stunning curves, the sheer fabric made her look like an absolute vision. She genuinely looked breathtaking in historical attire.

"She's so gorgeous, don't you like her?"

Rowan looked at her like she was speaking utter nonsense. "If I liked her, do you honestly think I'd be sitting here with you?"

"Well, maybe if you slipped her that incapacitating drug, you'd suddenly feel a spark," Lyra muttered.

Rowan's gaze slowly and silently shifted from the TV screen to lock onto her face, their eyes meeting in a dead stare.

A terrifying chill instantly raced down Lyra's spine, and she hurriedly offered an awkward, apologetic smile. "Just pretend I didn't say that."

He lifted her up, shifting her so she was fully straddling his lap.

"I won't say it again..." she whispered, her tone bordering on a plea for mercy.

But he simply raised a hand to cup the back of her head, forcefully pressing her lips down against his own.

...

The next day at the Jameson Residence.

Rowan had returned home to join his family for a meal. Before he headed to the estate, Wesley brought Zara Somerset into his office.

Glancing briefly at her hands, Rowan asked, "Have you thought it through?"

"My former secretary, and my current girlfriend."

Hearing this, Charles didn't even bother casting a second glance at his eldest son.

"The Jameson family requires a highly respectable marriage," Victoria stated firmly. "You need someone whose background, breeding, and upbringing actually make her worthy of standing beside you, not some..."

Rowan completely abandoned his plate. "I'm done eating."

After Rowan left the estate, Caspian slid into his own car and immediately made a phone call. "We need to switch targets."

"The target is now someone named Zara Somerset."

Hold on...

A sudden spark of realization hit Caspian.

Maybe Rowan had already figured it out. He was far too brilliant to be fooled so easily. This was almost definitely a fake breakup; he had deliberately hired a decoy girlfriend just to keep Jasmine perfectly safe.

Caspian had witnessed firsthand exactly how obsessed his brother was with Jasmine. There was absolutely zero chance he would ever treat a second woman that well.

"Never mind, don't change the target. Keep aiming for Jasmine. Hit her, and hit her hard. If you fail this time, I won't pay you a single cent."