Married to a Trap I Already Escaped Chapter 02

Married to a Trap I Already Escaped Chapter 02

After Xavier left, I immediately called the company’s finance department to check the situation.

It was even worse than he’d said.

Not only was the cash flow cut off, but several huge debts were due any day now, which meant someone was clearly sabotaging us behind the scenes.

Who else could it be but Xavier?

He’d stop at nothing to force me to give in, using the exact same trick as in my past life.

First, he’d pull strings to create a crisis, then step in as the savior, making me feel indebted to him.

This time, I wouldn’t play his game.

I put my apartment and jewelry up for sale, and even went to my old rivals to try and sell my shares at a discount.

But everyone avoided me like the plague.

Hubert had put out word behind my back, anyone who helped me would be openly opposing the Garrel Group.

Sophie called to beg me. “Fran, just swallow your pride, okay?”

“Xavier loves you so much that he even begged Hubert on your behalf.”

“Marry him, and you’ll save the company and have a good home. Isn’t that a win-win?”

I pressed the end call button and blocked her number.

Three days later, a court summons arrived at my door.

I sat in my empty rental apartment. The door creaked open, and Xavier stood in the doorway, holding an umbrella.

“Fran, stop fighting this.” He stepped forward, looking down at me.

“Just nod, and all your problems will disappear.”

I lifted my head to meet his gaze.

“Xavier, do you really think that driving someone to the edge of ruin and then tossing them a crumb of mercy will make them grateful?”

He frowned.

“I’m only trying to help you.”

“‘Help’ me by cutting off all my escape routes?” I stood and walked toward him.

“By getting Hubert to blacklist me?”

Xavier reached out and squeezed my jaw hard.

“Fran, my patience is running thin.”

“You will marry me.”

I smiled, cold and sharp. “Fine. I’ll marry you.”

Xavier froze, clearly not expecting me to agree so quickly.

He let go of my jaw, his eyes softening back into that gentle, fake warmth.

“That’s the right choice. I’ll give you a proper wedding.”

I didn’t respond. The memory of my past life’s wedding and the drifter in my bed was still fresh; I would never let history repeat itself.

Agreeing to him was only to get the funding. As soon as the money hit the account, I’d take it and run far away.

On the day we registered our marriage, Xavier was dressed to the nines.

He led me out of the Marriage Bureau.

“Fran, we’re husband and wife now.”

His endearment was sickeningly sweet. I pulled my hand free and answered casually.

A sports car pulled up beside us, and the window rolled down to reveal a familiar face.

It was Anne, the woman who Xavier would sell his soul for.

In my past life, he’d even let me die just to please her.

“Xavier, congratulations!” Anne stepped out of the car, looking at me with a provocative smirk.

“This must be Miss Larson? You’re so beautiful, that’s why Xavier skipped my birthday party for you.”

Xavier’s shoulders tensed almost imperceptibly.

He turned to Anne, his voice tight with concern.

“Anne, what are you doing here?”

Anne pouted and walked over, looping her arm through his in a familiar, intimate gesture.

“I came to see your new bride!”

“Xavier, my stomach hurts, so will you take me to the hospital?”

She didn’t even bother to hide her contempt, not in front of his new wife.

Xavier glanced back at me.

“Fran, Anne’s not well. I’ll take her to the hospital first, and let the driver take you home.”

It was exactly like the first day after we’d registered in my past life: he’d left me alone in our wedding bed all night, called away at Anne’s whim.

Back then, I’d actually believed he was just looking out for his “little sister.”

I nodded at them, calm and cold. “Sure. Go ahead, don’t rush back.”

Xavier frowned, clearly annoyed by my indifference, and opened his mouth to say more.

But Anne pulled him into the car before he could speak.

Once the sports car was out of sight, I pulled out my phone and called the finance department.

“Has the funding arrived?”

“Yes, Miss Larson.”

I smiled, sharp and triumphant.

“Transfer the entire sum to an overseas account immediately. Then call the police and report the company for suspected illegal fundraising, and file for bankruptcy protection.”