"Why do you think he's not simple?" Valerie asked.

"Look, he drives a Land Rover, and he does it skillfully," Katherine replied, a surprised expression on her face.

Valerie was convinced Matthew was a chauffeur. "That's his boss's car. He's a chauffeur, and of course, he's skillful."

"But didn't you see his expensive clothes? And his dignified demeanor?"

Valerie considered this. "He dresses expensively because his job requires it, and as for his dignity, he's probably just tall and well-built."

"Alas," Katherine sighed, stamping her foot in frustration. Valerie's retort left her speechless. "Trust me. Years of romance novels have taught me that mysterious men who agree to a flash marriage aren't ordinary. That luxury car might be one of many. He probably drives a different one every day!"

Valerie laughed. "Katherine, that's only in romance novels! If every man I casually married were a powerful CEO, the world would be full of them! I met his boss this afternoon—a very easygoing leader at Noria Group. Matthew accompanies him to high-class events; his boss likely buys his clothes for those occasions. Mr. Grant is just an ordinary guy."

Unexpectedly, Katherine's eyes lit up. "Noria Group? Valerie, the CEO of Noria Group is a Grant, isn't he? Your husband's surname is Grant. Do you think?"

Valerie was amused. "You're getting outrageous! You're not suggesting my husband is the CEO of Noria Group, are you?" She led Katherine to the fifth floor, punching in the code to their apartment. "Mr. Grant bought this apartment. If he were the CEO of Noria Group, do you think he'd live here?"

The apartment was large but simply decorated. It wasn't poor, but far from the luxury villas depicted on TV. After looking around, Katherine conceded. "Okay, that kind of plot only exists in novels."

"Exactly. Stop with the wild ideas," Valerie said, grabbing drinks from the refrigerator. Matthew had agreed to stay out of the common areas as long as she didn't enter his room.

Katherine sipped her drink, smiling. "Flash marriages are strange, but at least you're free from your mother's forced marriage and the judgment of others. Your life is much easier now."

"Indeed," Valerie agreed.

"What are your plans?" Katherine asked seriously.

Valerie had already considered her future. "Mr. Grant is a good man, and I'll make the best of our marriage. For the next six months, I need to save money. Raising a baby is expensive. What if I can't afford it?"

"Don't worry. You have me. I'll help raise the baby," Katherine said, smiling.

Valerie smiled back. "Really? That's great. If I can't afford it, I'll rely on you." She knew Katherine wasn't exaggerating. When they first met, Katherine was job hunting in designer clothes—a wealthy woman unhappy with her family's arranged marriage.

But Katherine wasn't arrogant. She supported herself, abandoning her luxury goods to live like any other worker: renting an apartment, eating simply, and wearing professional clothes. No one at Arcton Cars, except Valerie, knew her background.

Valerie avoided prying into Katherine's personal life. If Katherine wanted to share, she would. However, she knew Katherine came from a wealthy family, and her current salary likely didn't cover the cost of her previous shoes.

"By the way, is Caleb in the dark about your situation?" Valerie remembered.

Katherine shrugged. "My family's a mess. Telling Caleb would only worry him. If my family gives up and I'm willing to return, I'll tell him then."