That brief kiss froze the entire room.
Leon stood still, his eyes wide. His strong hand suddenly reached out and gripped Giselle’s neck tightly.
“You’re insolent,” Leon hissed coldly. “How dare you touch me without permission?”
Giselle gasped for air, but this time, she didn’t just stand still. Her hands shoved against Leon’s chest with all her strength as she struggled. “Let go! Do you think you’re the only one who can be rough?!”
Leon hadn’t expected the girl to fight back. His grip loosened momentarily—just enough for Giselle to break free and run toward the stairs without a second thought.
Her steps were rushed, but firm. Giselle knew that if she stayed in that room a second longer, her life might be in danger.
“Crazy girl!” Leon growled, chasing after her.
From behind the sofa, Mrs. Hansel calmly watched the scene unfold. A faint smile played on her lips.
“Interesting… finally someone who can make Leon lose control,” she murmured to herself with a meaningful gaze.
Upstairs, Giselle kept running through the long corridor. She randomly opened one of the doors and rushed into the room.
Leon followed not long after, his breath heavy, eyes blazing with fury. “Get out of my room! That’s not your room!”
But Giselle stood her ground in the middle of the room, taking a deep breath. “What? Are you scared I might touch your bed too, Mr. Leon?”
Leon stepped forward swiftly. “I said, get out!”
Before he could reach her, Giselle suddenly darted forward and collided with him, wrapping her arms tightly around him.
“Are you insane?!”
“Try controlling yourself, Mr. Leon,” Giselle whispered against his chest.
Her hand slowly slid across Leon’s firm chest, then down to his muscular abdomen. “I don’t believe a demon like you has *no* desire at all.”
Leon froze. For a moment, his eyes flickered with confusion.
“You cheap little girl!” he roared, pushing her away. But she clung to him, refusing to back down.
“Afraid?” Giselle asked softly, but her tone was piercing.
“Afraid you might actually want me?”
Furious, Leon grabbed her throat again—harder this time. His face twisted into something truly terrifying.
“You think you can control *me*?!” he hissed.
Giselle gasped for breath, but still managed to speak. “And yet, I already have… haven’t I?”
Leon stared at her, eyes like a wild beast. But after a long second, he released his grip and turned away.
“Since you dared sneak into my room, you’ll be punished!”
Giselle collapsed to the floor, clutching her reddened neck. But even then, she managed a faint smirk.
“I’m not afraid of your threats, Mr. Leon.”
Leon turned back, his gaze dark.
“Really? Then I’ll make you regret ever signing that contract.”
“I’m curious to see just how far you’ll go to make me regret it, Mr. Leon,” Giselle replied calmly.
They stared at each other—the air thick with tension, heat, and emotion. Then Giselle turned and walked out of the room.
“Hmph… If only you knew I was the one who saved your life that night. Would you still treat me this way?” Giselle thought silently.
***
At 11:20 AM, Giselle sat at the large dining table, a glass of milk in her hand.
Just as she was about to scoop some rice onto her plate, the sound of approaching heels echoed through the room.
“Good afternoon,” Mrs. Hansel greeted as she gracefully took a seat at the end of the table.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Hansel,” Giselle replied softly, trying to remain polite.
“Don’t call me Mrs. Hansel. Just call me Aunt Hansel.”
“Yes, Aunt.”
Moments later, Leon entered, dressed casually but still neat. Their eyes met—and as always, tension filled the air.
“Leon,” Mrs. Hansel said calmly, “you’ll take Giselle to campus today.”
Leon, who was pouring himself a cup of coffee, looked over with disinterest. “There are plenty of drivers. Just tell one of them to take that annoying girl.”
“Leon, don’t argue. Giselle needs to go to campus this afternoon, and you’ll take her. Besides, before that, the two of you need to stop by the civil registry office.”
“What?!”
Giselle choked on her milk. “The civil registry office?”
“Yes. Today, you’ll be legally married.”
Leon stood abruptly. “I refuse! I don’t need marriage—especially one that only exists on paper!”
Mrs. Hansel looked at her son, her eyes firm but gentle. “Leon… please. I’ve been patient with you long enough. The least you can do is follow through with this.”
Leon took a deep breath and ran a hand down his face. He looked like he was holding back boiling frustration.
Giselle remained silent, watching them both.
Finally, Leon turned his head away. “Fine.”
Mrs. Hansel nodded in relief. “Thank you, dear.”
***
Inside the black car driving toward the civil registry office, the mood was icy and tense.
Giselle looked out the window, trying to calm her pounding heart. Beside her, Leon sat silently, his jaw clenched tight.
“Thanks for taking me,” Giselle said softly, trying to ease the tension.
Leon scoffed. “Don’t expect me to be sweet just because we’re getting married.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t like sweet things. Bitterness is far more addictive,” Giselle replied with a faint smile.
Leon glanced at her but said nothing.
An hour later, they arrived at the registry office. The process was quick and smooth—thanks to the De Santos family’s influence.
“Please sign here, Mr. Leon. And here, Miss Giselle,” the officer said politely with a smile.
Leon stared at the papers like they were cursed. He took a deep breath and signed.
Giselle looked at the pen in her hand and then signed as well. She never imagined that at such a young age, she’d be part of such a ridiculous marriage.
The officer nodded in satisfaction. “With this, you are officially husband and wife.”
Giselle glanced at Leon, curious about his reaction.
But the man simply stood up and said coldly, “Let’s go. I’ve wasted enough time here. Now to your campus.”
“Yes, husband,” Giselle replied sweetly with a smile.
Leon paused for a second, then turned his head away. “Don’t call me that.”
“But… we’re official now, aren’t we? The proof is in your wallet.” Giselle winked mischievously.
Leon groaned quietly. “Three months. Just three months. After that, this is over.”
Giselle leaned closer and gently patted his chest. “We’ll see who wins in the end, dear husband.”
In truth, Giselle wasn’t entirely confident. Could she really make Leon fall in love in such a short time? If not, their contract marriage would end long before the one-year mark.
Then, Leon made a call to his assistant.
“Jo, have you found any information on the girl who saved my life that night?”
Giselle froze in shock.
“Why is Mr. Devil looking for me?” she wondered.