The more riled up Claire was, the brighter he smiled.
She had a beautiful smile. As Asher looked down at her from his height, he stopped frowning, and his eyes became more gentle.
He did not even realize it himself.
"Oh, a hidden marriage?" Claire asked in return.
Asher nodded lightly. "You can see it that way."
Claire raised her eyebrow and she looked at his well-defined side profile. "I want to ask Mr. Kens–just what exactly do you understand about marriage? Based on your expert opinion, what does marrying me mean?"
Asher was stunned, as though he had never thought about that.
After giving it some thought, he replied, "I adopted and supported you for so many years. It's time for you to return the favor."
"Return the favor by giving myself to you?"
"Other than yourself, what else can you offer?" Asher asked in return.
Claire was speechless.
Indeed, the kindness that Asher had shown her was something she could never pay back, even if she worked for him her entire life.
Yet no matter how much she owed him, she could not understand why she would have to repay him with marriage.
Claire said clearly, "Mr. Kens, maybe after you spend some time with me and get to know me more, you'll realize that I have more value than you think."
"Sorry," Asher said, "I don't have the time for that."
Once again, Claire could not find words to say to that
She finally understood why Asher was never someone with many words. Every time he spoke, there would be no room for anyone to argue.
Of course, his time was precious, and how could he waste it on someone like her?
When she was speechless, her cheeks were puffed out and she looked like a goldfish.
Asher withdrew his gaze and said, "If you have no more questions, then that's it. You can look for Ben if you need anything else."
When Claire saw that he was about to leave, Claire quickly reached out and tugged on his sleeve. "You made me marry you all of a sudden, and you told me you want to keep this a secret. Now, you're leaving me here?"
"Claire, you just have to remember that marrying me is better than marrying any other man in Melford City."
When Asher said that, the setting sun painted the bureau and their surroundings in orange light.
The expression on Asher's face brimmed with absolute confidence and arrogance. His confidence was something his background gave him, as though he was born with it. He had the right to say that.
Claire let go of his sleeve gradually and her arm fell to her side. She lowered her eyes and her lashes were moving slightly. "I'll remember that."
Asher nodded and walked away without looking back.
Claire looked at him as he was walking further away into the sunset until he disappeared in a corner.
In front of Asher, Claire felt completely defeated.
In Asher's mind, her twentieth birthday meant she was eligible for marriage.
Claire looked at the marriage certificate in her hands and clenched it. She could not bear the weight of this gift, after all.
Claire would always remember that Asher gave her a marriage certificate as her twentieth birthday present.
Only Asher would act that way–without asking for her opinion or seeking her agreement, the certificate was just forced upon her.
Worse still, he said to pretend nothing happened.
She could not even voice how bitter she felt about the entire situation.
Even if she was married to the most powerful man in Melford, she could never tell anyone about it.
Mr. Jones walked up to her and said, "Mrs. Kens, let me send you home."