Nathaniel Fu spun her around, trapping her between the sink and his arms. His gaze lowered to hers."And then?"
Celia steadied herself and met his eyes. "Mr. Fu, I'm not asking about your private life. I just don't want to be a mistress. If you plan to marry Rosalie, then this between us is over."
Nathaniel's dark eyes flickered, and the corner of his lips curved. "Little one, must you always threaten me with the word 'over'? Have I spoiled you too much?"
Celia: "..."
He paused, his voice dropping. "I do have an engagement with Rosalie."
He had admitted it openly.
Celia hesitated for a moment. "Because she's… King?"
"Yes. Grandmother wants me to marry King."
The Fu family's matriarch from the capital?
Celia almost laughed. She actually had some ties to the old Madam Fu, but she hadn't expected the old lady to arrange her grandson's marriage like this. "And how exactly are you so sure Rosalie is King?"
Nathaniel's voice was calm. "Over two years ago, the Su family came to our house with a jade pendant. Grandmother recognized it and quickly arranged my marriage. But she married me to the wrong person—Sylvia. The one I was meant to marry was Rosalie."
"..."
In that moment, everything became clear to Celia. The Su family had stolen her jade pendant and used it to secure a marriage with the Fu family. This so-called prestigious match had begun with her pendant.
The shamelessness of the Su family didn't surprise her anymore. But Rosalie—how dare she impersonate King?
No. This couldn't be left alone.
Celia looked at him, her eyes shimmering faintly with tears. "So Rosalie is your true bride, Mr. Fu. What are you waiting for? Go marry her."
Nathaniel's palm tightened on her soft waist, giving it a sharp pinch. "I didn't tell you this to rush me into marrying someone else."
"It hurts, Mr. Fu—you're hurting me." She flinched, her cry soft and trembling, fragile like a songbird in distress, sending a shiver through his chest.
Realizing she wasn't pretending, Nathaniel quickly released her waist. "Does it really hurt?"
"Yeah… you pinched my stomach."
His large hand instinctively returned to her flat belly, his strong chin resting lightly against her head. His voice softened. "Why are you becoming more delicate by the day?"
Meanwhile, although Rosalie had moved out of the Su family's estate, she was hardly destitute. Madam Song and her son, Zane Song, had arranged for her to stay in a lavish villa.
"Qianrou, just live here in peace," Madam Song reassured. "No one will bother you. If anything happens, Zane will help you."
Both Madam Song and Zane firmly believed Rosalie was King. Even after the truth about the real and fake daughter came out, they insisted there must have been some misunderstanding. To them, King could never be someone dishonorable.
Rosalie bowed her head gratefully. "Thank you, Madam Song. Thank you, Master Song."
At that moment, footsteps approached. It was Celia.
Zane's face immediately darkened. "Celia, what are you doing here? Haven't you hurt my sister Rosalie enough already?"
Celia ignored him and stepped closer to Rosalie with a faint smile. "Rosalie, I heard… you're King, is that right?"
Rosalie froze. How did Celia know that?
"Why so quiet, Rosalie?" Celia's tone was sharp but carried a mocking sweetness. "Madam Song and Young Master Song are listening."
Rosalie had no way out. She clenched her fists and forced herself to nod. "...Yes. I am King."
Celia's lips curved into a soft smile.
That smile unsettled Rosalie. "Celia, don't think you've won. You know how close I am to Mr. Fu. My parents and the old madam have already called me. They've asked me to move back home."