CHAPTER 238: LET’S REGISTER THE MARRIAGE FIRST.

All eyes turned to her.

Her face went crimson in an instant, her body tensing under the sudden attention. Nathaniel, however, seemed amused by her flustered reaction and made no effort to stop. His hand slid closer along her inner thigh, slowly and deliberately, testing her.

"Are you alright?" Paulina asked, concerned.

Zara mustered an apologetic smile. "I am sorry. My mind was somewhere else." She picked up her fork and began eating again, trying to appear composed.

Everyone also returned their attention to their meals. But Zara’s unease only deepened. Nathaniel’s hand still lingered, his teasing touch refusing to relent. She slipped one hand under the table, attempting to push him away.

Nathaniel seemed to have set his mind to torment her. He grabbed her hand tightly, not willing to let her go. His grip tightened when she tried to pull back. The more she resisted, the more immovable he became.

She slightly turned her head toward him, pinning him with a sharp glare. In return, he simply gave her a blank look as if he were the most innocent person in the world.

"Mommy, what happened to your lips?" Zane noticed. "They look swollen and red."

Zara instantly lowered her head, pressing her fingers against her lips. She could feel the weight of the curious eyes on her. "No, nothing has happened," she blurted, trying to mask her nervousness. But the color flooding her cheeks betrayed her.

Vincent cleared his throat and started eating quietly. Gracie understood everything but remained quiet. She also lowered her head, resuming eating. Paulina, meanwhile, hid a knowing smile as she glanced between Zara and Nathaniel. She could see exactly what was going on.

"Zane," she turned to the boy, "finish your food fast. It’s getting cold."

Zane obediently followed her instructions, not questioning his mother further.

Across the table, Riya seethed inwardly, her fingers tightening around the fork. She looked at Nathaniel, who couldn’t take his eyes away from Zara. It was as though no one else at the table existed for him.

He blatantly flirted with Zara. It was something he had never even done with Nora, the woman he claimed he loved the most.

A surge of jealousy rose so sharply she almost reached for her glass, tempted to throw its contents straight at Zara. But instead, she stood up.

"I am full," she muttered tersely.

Without sparing a glance at anyone, she walked back to her room.

~~~~~~~~~

Dinner ended without incident. Afterward, everyone drifted off to their rooms, while Vincent kept his promise to Zane, stopping by to tell him stories about the farm animals.

Nathaniel, meanwhile, could barely contain himself. The moment he and Zara stepped into their room, he pulled her into his arms.

"Let me go," Zara protested, wriggling against him. "You embarrassed me enough already. Even Zane noticed. And you..." She pouted, shooting him a stern glare. "You just wouldn’t stop teasing me."

"Teasing?" Nathaniel feigned innocence. "I was only admiring my wife."

Zara blinked up at him, hardly recognizing the man before her. The cold, distant Nathaniel she once knew seemed to have vanished. "You’ve changed," she murmured. "What happened to you?"

"I suddenly find my wife alluring," Nathaniel whispered, his lips brushing over hers. "And I can’t seem to stop wanting her." Holding her close to his chest, he kissed her.

"Nathaniel..." she managed, pressing a hand against his chest in protest.

"Don’t resist me, sweetheart," he whispered.

Her heart faltered at the word ’sweetheart’. It was the first time he had ever called her that. The sound of it melted her resistance. Emotion welled in her chest, and her eyes burned with unshed tears.

Slowly, she stopped pushing him away and surrendered to his kiss.

He lifted her off her feet and carried her to the bed. Soon after, their clothes flew in the air and then scattered on the floor. Their heavy sighs mingled with the cracking of the bed.

Vincent emerged from Zane’s room after making sure the boy had fallen asleep. Instead of heading to the bedroom, he made his way to the study. But he didn’t notice someone was observing him.

In the shadows of the hallway, Riya stood quietly, her eyes following Vincent’s retreating form. Once Vincent disappeared into the study, she slipped back into her room and dialed Zachary.

As the call connected, she said in a hushed tone, "I’ll start poisoning the old man."

Zachary was surprised that she would agree so soon. He leaned back on his chair. "You said you wouldn’t go that far. What changed your mind?"

Riya’s expression hardened. "Because I finally see things clearly. All these years, I fooled myself into believing I belonged here — that this family truly cared for me. But it was nothing more than a comforting lie. No matter what, I’m just an adopted daughter. They can cast me aside whenever they want."

"So you finally realized the truth," Zachary sneered darkly.

"I have," she replied coldly. "And I’m ready to help you take over the Grant fortune. But I have one condition."

His smirk faltered. "The audacity," he said with a sharp edge to his tone. "You’ve grown bold – learned to negotiate. Don’t forget your place. You are nothing but a pawn. I can discard you any time I wish."

"I know exactly what you are capable of," Riya countered. "You could have me gone in a heartbeat. But think carefully — you won’t find another person like me, someone living right under your enemies’ roof. I’m your best chance, the only one who can help you without raising doubts. Are you sure you want to lose that?"

Zachary slammed his fist on the table, his jaw tightening in frustration. Yet he knew she was right. He couldn’t afford to lose Riya, not until he achieved his goal.

"What is your demand?" he muttered begrudgingly.

"I want to be the hostess of the Grant family," Riya said. "You have to marry me and give me the status of your wife."

Zachary sneered. "This is what you are dreaming." The idea of marrying someone as venomous and deceitful woman like Riya made his stomach flip with disgust. He couldn’t possibly put his faith in her.

Riya had no loyalty, not even to the people who had taken her in and given her everything. A woman like her would turn on him the moment it suited her.

A poisonous snake like Riya should be eliminated sooner or later. But he had to play along for the time being.

"Certainly," he drawled. "Is this even a question? I like you. Don’t you know?"

Riya curled her lips into a vile smile. She knew well that he had a soft spot for her. Or else, why would he be so possessive toward her?

"In that case," she said slyly, "why don’t we make it official now? Let’s register the marriage first."