Upon hearing the excitement in Alastor's tone, Henry was surprised. "Who? It's not that girl from the Clark family, is it?"
"No," came Alastor's calm reply.
"Then who is it?"
There was a pause.
Henry raised an eyebrow.
He didn't understand what was going on, but he knew his friend had never been interested in women. This was definitely unusual.
"Congratulations! Where is she now? I need to meet my sister-in-law!" Henry said, smiling.
Alastor chuckled softly. "She's at my place."
Henry's eyes widened in surprise.
He actually managed to marry her so fast?
No wonder he was acting so strange.
As friends, they understood each other perfectly.
Now, Henry became even more curious about this girl.
It wasn't easy to catch the interest of Alastor, the man who had remained cold and heartless for over twenty years.
While Henry was wondering who the girl could be, Alastor spoke again, this time with a serious tone.
"Draw up a transfer agreement for the Empire Group's CEO shares and send it over by tomorrow morning."
Henry smirked, "To your wife?"
Alastor nodded, his voice calm yet joyful. "It's her bridal gift."
Henry grabbed his coat and chuckled. "Alright, I'll get it ready. Then I'll head back to Center City."
"Stay," Alastor interrupted, his voice suddenly serious. "Be her deputy."
Henry frowned slightly.
This girl, whoever she was, had already taken such a big place in Alastor's heart before their marriage even started. What would happen next?
Before Henry could ask more questions, Alastor's voice turned cold. "She has a bad reputation in Star City. When she goes to the Empire Group, protect her well for me."
Henry was shocked but smiled. "Of course. Your wife is our little queen now."
No matter what the rumors said, if Alastor trusted her, Henry wouldn't doubt her.
Alastor thought about the way Eclipse had suffered, and his tone grew icy. "I don't want to see the Rocelyn or Jade families in Star City within six months."
With that, he hung up the phone and returned to the bedroom silently.
Eclipse was curled up on the pillow, her soft black hair scattered across her shoulders. She slept quietly, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Alastor leaned over, gently touching the bandage on her forehead. His fingers slid down her pale face and rested on her lips, lightly rubbing them.
He leaned closer, breathing in her faint scent.
Sensing something in her sleep, Eclipse stirred and opened her eyes slightly.
Alastor brushed her hair back and patted her softly. "It's okay. Go back to sleep."
Eclipse snuggled into the pillow like a baby, hugging his arm tightly, feeling a strange warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. She fell asleep again.
Alastor stood there, gazing at her sleeping face. After a while, he bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "No matter who you are or what you've been through, I won't let you go."
The next morning, Eclipse woke up to sunlight streaming into the room. She vaguely remembered being carried to bed, but wasn't surprised.
What surprised her was how calm she had felt sleeping in the arms of a man she barely knew.
She shook the thought away, got out of bed, and picked a lotus-green dress from the closet. It matched her quiet yet cool personality perfectly.
After breakfast, the doctor changed her bandage. Eclipse put on a hat, ready to leave, when she noticed Alastor sitting on the sofa, watching her quietly.
He stood up, walked over, and handed her a share transfer agreement. His voice was soft. "A bridal gift."
Eclipse was stunned, then opened it to see the CEO shares of the Empire Group. All the paperwork was done—she just had to sign it, and she would be the new CEO.
It was the kind of gift that would drive every girl in Star City crazy.
Eclipse had never been too attached to money, but after marrying Alastor, refusing this gift didn't seem like an option.
Besides, this man clearly knew she needed financial power to take on the Rocelyn and Jade families. The fact that he casually gave her control of the Empire Group showed his true strength.
Eclipse smiled softly and accepted the gift. "Thank you. I'll prepare my dowry soon," she teased, winking playfully as she left.
Alastor's dark eyes followed her, a deep, unreadable emotion flashing in them as she disappeared.
Eclipse returned to the Rocelyn mansion.
As soon as she walked in, Mrs. Rocelyn was sitting on the sofa, drinking tea. She glanced at her with obvious disgust.
"You've disgraced this family. Your father can't even stand the sight of you. But I've decided to let you stay, as long as you eat in the kitchen to avoid causing more trouble for the servants."
Turning to the staff, Mrs. Rocelyn ordered, "Second Miss will take her meals in the kitchen from now on."
The servants all nodded, though they exchanged uncomfortable glances. Treating the second miss like an animal?
Eclipse remained calm, smiling warmly. "No need, Mrs. Rocelyn. I'll move out today."
She started to walk upstairs, but Mrs. Rocelyn flew into a rage, slamming her teacup onto the table.
"Stop right there! How dare you go upstairs without acknowledging your elders! After the shame you've caused, do you even have a brain left?"
Raising her hand, Mrs. Rocelyn tried to slap her, but Eclipse dodged easily.
Her face twisted with anger, but before she could react, she met her cold, black eyes.