Throughout the drive to the civil affairs bureau, Adam was on pins and needles, though his expression remained unchanged. His mind raced with unease, but outwardly, he betrayed nothing.
When he had first been informed that Spencer had entered Melanie's room and locked the door behind him, his immediate thought was that something disastrous would happen- perhaps Spencer had kidnapped her or found some other way to prevent the wedding.
He'd almost raced to the room, to prevent any disasters. But to his surprise, nothing of the sort had taken place other than Spencer trying to seduce Melanie of course. This only made him more restless. He just couldn't figure out what Spencer was planning, and that uncertainty gnawed at him. And the jealousy of seeing her with Spencer... But he quickly pushed that thought away to focus on more pressing matters.
The last time Spencer had schemed, Adam had stumbled upon his plan by sheer luck. If he hadn't found out in time, Spencer would have already married Melanie for the sake of the will, securing his claim over two thirds of the shares of the estate while Adam had been in the hospital then, helpless and unable to move.
Thankfully, the person had helped him and he'd pulled the strings he had to prevent the marriage from going through.
Over the next three years, he had kept a close watch on Spencer's every move, trying to gain a better understanding of the situation, in case Spencer made a move that would give away his game. But Spencer had stayed away, making things go smoothly for him.
Slowly,he'd focused on Melanie and getting information about her as well. He had assumed that she was a gold digger who would probably be paid handsomely for marrying Spencer for three years.
But he had been surprised. Melanie had been like a little faithful wife, waiting for her husband to return.
Meanwhile, Spencer had indulged in one affair after another, completely disregarding the woman he had married.
The more Adam observed, the more he saw the kind of person Melanie truly was. To understand her better, he had even tied his company into a business contract with her, and through that, he had seen firsthand how capable she was, which meant one things. She had been fooled by Spencer.
But she'd proven herself to be a sharp and competent businesswoman. His grandmother had been right in recommending her to marry into her family.
Initially, Adam's plan had been simple—convince Melanie to sell her shares to him. After everything she had been through, he had assumed that she would want nothing more than to sever all ties with Spencer when she discovered the truth.
Surely, after realizing how deeply she had been betrayed, she would prefer to walk away from it all, taking the clean break he would eventually offer her. That was what he had expected.
Even when he had jokingly told Max three years ago that he would marry three years later, it had been nothing more than that—a joke. There had been no sincerity in those words. He had no desire to touch anything that had once belonged to Spencer. Never.
But then he met her. And for reasons he couldn't fully explain, his plans changed. He told himself it was because he wanted to make Spencer suffer, to humiliate him in the cruelest way possible. After all, regardless of how things played out, Adam would end up holding two-thirds of the estate's shares. But simply buying Melanie's portion felt too easy, too unsatisfying. No—he wanted something far more gratifying. He wanted to steal her right from under Spencer's nose and take everything that Spencer thought he had a right to.
So, instead of offering to buy her out, he had proposed a prenuptial agreement, fully expecting her to scoff at the idea and throw it back in his face. He had thought she would refuse outright. But to his utter surprise, Melanie had agreed.
"Are you still tensed that Spencer will try to obstruct the wedding?" Melanie's voice broke through the quiet and he simply gave a nod. This was nto the time to be foolish and think that Spencer would stay quiet.
"Are you having second thoughts?" Melanie asked quietly, and he turned his head towards her with narrowed eyes," Are YOU having second thoughts Melon?" He thought back to the hug he had just witnessed. Yes, she had not been holding Spencer but she had not minded letting him hold her. And they HAD been a couple.
The jealousy and anger he felt unfurl in the pit of his stomach, made his gaze sharper. It was too late already, a small voice in his head screamed. He'd asked her before if she wanted to not marry him! But now, when they were almost at the civil affairs bureau, if she refused, he would drag her and get married.
Melanie shook her head though she also sent him a look that said he was behaving weirdly and explained," I just think that this is too easy. I mean, before, when Spencer did not know all this, signing the pre nuptial agreement and then getting married would have been easy. But now, we get married, go our separate ways, handle our own affairs for the next three years, and then quietly divorce? It sounds nice; however, I don't think it's going to be that easy."
Adam nodded, realizing that she too was wondering why things were proceeding so smoothly. Discarding the relief he was feeling that he did not have to drag her to the judge kicking and screaming, he relaxed a bit and reassured her," I doubt it will be this easy. They definitely have an ace up their sleeve..."
He had barely finished the sentence when they reached the civil affairs bureau and saw the people waiting there. He smirked. Ahh, like he'd said. Spencer was no fool. He would nto simply rely on Melanie's change of heart.