"I'll offer you thirty million, if you leave my son."

The voice of the overbearing boyfriend's mother was like that of an angel from heaven.

"No problem."

I smiled brightly, eager with anticipation.

But to make my future laziness more comfortable, I made a small suggestion.

"Madam, perhaps if you were to increase the amount of money and allow me to be included in your household register, it would put an end to your son's thoughts about me entirely."

I found myself in the role of a surrogate dream girl in a domineering president novel, a character who existed solely in the realm of memories.

In the book, the entire Bates family looked down on this dream girl. While he was on a business trip, his mother stepped in to drive her away.

The dream girl, despite being an orphan, was resolute in her decision not to accept any money or end their relationship. She tirelessly worked three jobs each day, striving to show her value.

Before the Bates family could act, she died suddenly from exhaustion.

Oh, how tragic.

For a mere man, was it worth it?

Now, in light of Beau Bates' mother's action of tossing money to remove me, I fully concur.

Working was impossible for me, let alone working three jobs.

Taking the money and leaving sounded great.

Yet, who would complain about having too much money?

Of course, I had to find a way to get more.

"Are you... are you serious?"

Beau's mother glared at me, but it was clear she was tempted by my proposal.

I nodded quickly.

"Once I receive the thirty million, I will immediately send a breakup message and block all contact with your son. Furthermore, I will change my phone number and delete all social media accounts. The new number will not be given to any of my mutual friends with Beau. Rest assured, Madam."

"I hope you keep your word."

Beau's mother forced a smile.

I acted obediently. "Madam, I'm very professional when it comes to doing business. Now, let's talk about adding my name to the Burton family household register."

Beau's mother was speechless.

My plan to earn more money eventually fell through.

The thirty million to make me leave Beau was her private stash.

Asking for more was a bit too much for her.

Before we parted, we made an agreement.

If Beau ever found me, I had to contact her immediately, with prepared documents, to change the household register in the Department of Social Affairs.

Of course, she had to pay.

Fifty million, a clear price, fair for everyone.

"Madam, if only your private stash had a bit more money."

I sighed regretfully.

Her face darkened, and she slammed the car door shut, not wanting to hear me anymore.

"Goodbye."

Waving goodbye, I immediately ran to the bank to cash the check.

As soon as I left the bank, I deleted all my social media accounts, sent the breakup message to Beau, powered off my phone, and canceled my phone number at the service center.

Beau had his dream girl, but this novel was about the stand-in female lead rising to power.

Now, the only thing I needed to do was to run away.

Embracing a lazy and carefree life, here I came!

But, as I finished packing my luggage to leave, I realized something was off.

The door was blocked!

Who?

Who did this!?

Anyone trying to disrupt my carefree life was unforgivable!

The security door didn't budge at all.

I yelled and pounded for what felt like an eternity, my mind racing with thoughts of who could be preventing me from leaving and the possibility of losing my liberty. At last, I heard a commotion coming from outside.

Heh!

The reason the door couldn't open was a bit ridiculous.

My neighbor was moving in a huge new bed. It was too wide to fit through their door, so they left it temporarily in the hallway while they went downstairs to get tools.

I was speechless.

Couldn't we have picked a different time?

"Hurry up. I need to get to the station. I'm in a rush."

Unfortunately, the workers weren't very efficient, so another half hour passed before I could leave.

This time, I was truly blocked.

An elegant woman, flanked by two men in suits, blocked my way.

"Ms. Cox, someone wanted to see you."

I looked wary.

"I didn't want to see anyone."

I just wanted to get away.

"It was about adding a name to the household register..."

It turned out to be someone from the Bates family.

"I was available now."

Just because Beau's mom couldn't produce fifty million on the spot didn't mean the rest of the family couldn't.

"Were we going to handle the paperwork then?"

I was excited.

If people weren't eager to make money, their thinking was definitely flawed.

My thinking didn't waver when it came to money.

"The car was parked downstairs."

Lovely money, here I came.

Oh no!

As soon as I got downstairs and the car door opened, I saw Beau, looking incredibly handsome but with a cold gaze. My pupils contracted.

Damn, wasn't he supposed to be on a business trip?

When had he come back?

His mom was sneaky, not even warning me.

No, I had changed my phone number, so even if she knew Beau was back, she couldn't contact me.

Damn, I had set myself up for failure.

How stupid!

"Trying to run? Did I say you could?"

As soon as I moved my ankle, I heard Beau's sinister voice.

My body froze, and I forced a smile.

"No, I just suddenly remembered I had left something upstairs, I was going to..."

Before I could finish, I was interrupted.

"Did you think I would believe that?"

Beau's lips curved slightly, looking at me with a half-smile, inexplicably handsome, and inexplicably—

Dangerous.

Whimpering, Beau was a domineering CEO, no doubt, but there was another term that fit him perfectly: psychotic!

No matter how domineering he was, at heart, he was still psychotic.

I couldn't be blamed for wanting to run; most people couldn't handle someone like him, except for the resilient and ever-fighting substitute female lead.

I really wasn't his destined partner.

"Get in the car. Let's talk about the household registration."

Beau's dry smile made my heart pound with fear.

Running away was out of the question. I bit my lip hard, reluctantly getting into the car.

"I had the household register with me. You now have two options."

Beau got straight to the point as soon as the car door closed.

Hearing this, I shrank my neck, feeling a chill all over.

"What... What options?"

I wasn't a coward, just cautious.

"First option, go get a marriage certificate and register your household."

Seeing Beau's insincere smile, I was filled with rejection.

Since I took the money, I couldn't back out.

The 30 million was mine!

"What's the second option?"

I swallowed hard and asked dryly.

Beau's lips curled up, and the sinister look in his eyes made my scalp tingle...

"Second option, break your legs and wheel yourself to the Department of Social Affairs."

"Don't worry, it won't affect the certificate and registration."

I was speechless.

Suddenly, my knees hurt.

"Then... then..."

In a critical moment, I could only change the subject.

"Shouldn't you be on a business trip abroad?"

Unfortunately, this tactic didn't work, and Beau didn't take the bait.

"Which one will you choose, one or two?"

His well-defined fingers tapped lightly on his leg, a smile playing on his lips.

Before I could answer, Beau continued on his own.

"I think option two is better for you.

"From now on, you can only travel with me.

"Your legs aren't worth keeping."

"One, I choose one!"

I definitely didn't want to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.

My 30 million was intact. Luckily his mom didn't make me sign a contract, so there was no penalty fee.

But, how to repay the money?

Beau seemed to read my mind. Just as I thought about the money, he mentioned it.

"Regarding the 30 million my mom gave you, you have two options."

Again?

"One, a meeting gift from my mom to her daughter-in-law."

"Two, compensation for your broken legs."

After speaking, Beau's gaze deliberately lingered on my legs.

"One, I choose one."

I quickly bowed, hugging my knees, trembling.

What did my legs do to him? He kept staring, as if he wanted to break them immediately.

"Why not choose two?"

Beau looked regretful.

"Without legs, you won't be able to escape."

Damn it.

Did normal people act this extreme?

Why did I have to provoke Beau? I must be tired of living.

No, I didn't provoke him. I was just unlucky to transmigrate into this book!

Where was the substitute female lead?

Where was she?

Hurry up and show up; please save me!

"Beau, stop right there."

Just as I got out of the car, I heard his mom's furious voice, and I inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, I was smart enough to secretly dial her number when I got in the car.

She must have heard most of the conversation between Beau and me in the car, so she rushed over to block him.

With his mom stopping him, we wouldn't be getting that certificate today.

I never expected that Beau's madness wasn't just directed at me but at everyone, attacking indiscriminately.

"Mom, you have two choices now."

Hearing these familiar words, I was stunned.

His mother was taken aback.

"One, accept that you have a daughter-in-law today.

"Two, let her go, and I'll cripple my own legs to prevent myself from chasing after her."

This was beyond absurd; it was utterly ridiculous.

His mother and I were both dumbfounded, staring at each other in shock.

Heh! Beau not only had plans for my legs but wouldn't even spare his own.

That was ruthless.

"Beau, I am your biological mother."

His mother was furious.

Beau sneered and retorted, "So, are you going to cripple your legs for me?

"That wouldn't help.

"If your legs were broken, it wouldn't stop me from chasing my wife."

Seeing his mother devastated by his words, I silently consoled her. 'Hang in there; he's your biological son, after all.'

Biological!

If even his mother couldn't stop him, who could?

I really didn't want to marry a psychopath who was constantly fixated on my legs.

"Are you going in or not?"

Beau turned to look at me, a smile playing on his lips, clearly hinting at something.

"Or shall we have another two options?"

No thanks. I didn't need another choice.

But being forced to register for marriage like this was really frustrating.

I couldn't escape. I couldn't resist, so—

"Beau, do you see me as particularly cheap?"

I might as well stir up some trouble.

I could be unreasonable and difficult.

"I won't register for marriage without anything."

"Yes, yes, our family has many rules. Such a big event as registering for marriage can't be rushed."

Beau's mother came to her senses and immediately agreed, following along.