Be my wife

Richard wanted to know why Luke insisted he needed Kristin when she was merely a woman who accused him of theft.

"Why would I need her?" Richard asked again.

"Look, the rumors won’t stop until you prove they’re false. The broadcasting company where the rumor started doesn’t know who the anonymous source is. If you don’t act fast, your reputation, your hotel, and everything you’ve worked for could be destroyed."

"So what should I do? I’ve never been in a dating rumor before, but I know I’m not gay! I feel like exploding!" Richard roared, his anger palpable.

Richard wasn’t just cold; he was also quick-tempered, losing control easily when enraged.

"Can you at least calm down and listen? You should be grateful I’m used to your anger."

"Then resign if you want! I don’t care!" Richard’s eyes blazed with fury.

Luke swallowed nervously and said, "I have an idea to stop the public from believing you’re gay."

"What’s your idea?" Richard demanded.

"It might sound weird and frustrating, but it’s the only way to make the rumors stop."

When Richard didn’t respond, Luke took it as permission to continue.

"You’ve never been linked to a woman in the press. If you announce you’re in a relationship, it might quiet the rumors. Make Kristin…," Luke hesitated before finishing, "your wife."

"Are you out of your mind?! You want me to marry a woman I don’t know? You know I can’t stand women, and now you want me to make her my wife? Are you trying to push me over the edge?!" Richard shouted.

"I’m not trying to upset you, Richard. It’s just the quickest solution. It doesn’t have to be a real marriage, just a contract marriage."

"Contract marriage, my foot! There’s no way I’m living under the same roof with that peanut!"

"Sometimes you need to listen to others. The reason people think you’re gay is that you’ve never been seen with a woman. Kristin is the key to changing that. She’s from Glenwood, so no one in Las Vegas knows her. I know you dislike women, but this is your only chance to save your reputation and protect the hotel and companies you’ve built. While married to Kristin, you can distract the public and track down the anonymous source trying to ruin you. Even if you suspect Ophelia or someone else, we need…"

"Enough! I’ve had it with your talking!"

"I’ll leave you alone," Luke said, preparing to exit, but Richard’s commanding voice stopped him.

"Bring Kristin to me," he ordered, and Luke smiled.

---

Kristin was still reeling from Richard’s earlier display. It was the first time she felt genuinely scared. Known for her fearlessness in Glenwood, she now felt her heart racing at the thought of Richard.

He seemed almost inhuman, Kristin thought, as she noticed all the employees around her were male—no women in sight.

"Where am I?" she muttered, feeling homesick. Back in Glenwood, she’d be in her small bed by now, but here in Vegas, she didn’t even have a place to sleep.

"Did I make a mistake coming here?" she murmured, regretting her decision.

"Kristin!"

She looked up to see Luke approaching with a smile.

"Can I leave now? I didn’t mean to hit him."

"Do you have a place to go?" Luke asked.

Kristin shook her head, looking defeated.

"Richard wants to see you."

"There’s no way I’m going back there. He thinks I’m a spy and might kill me. I don’t want to die! Please help me escape," Kristin pleaded.

Luke smiled reassuringly and patted her. "This time, he won’t harm you. Trust me."

After much persuasion, Kristin agreed to meet Richard, and Luke left them alone.

Silence fell between them as Kristin avoided his piercing gray eyes. His gaze was intense, but the coldness made her uneasy.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Richard finally asked, breaking the silence.

Kristin was taken aback but answered, "I don’t have a boyfriend."

"How much would it take for you to be my wife?"

"Why should I be your wife?"

Without answering, Richard threw a newspaper at her and motioned for her to read it.

Kristin hesitated but took the newspaper and read it. After finishing, she placed it back on the table.

"Well, if you’re gay, just admit it."

"Do I look like someone who’s gay to you? I need you to be my wife for a while to stop the rumors. You’re from Glenwood, right? How much money would it take for you to agree to be my acting wife?" Richard asked, his face stern.

"I need money, but I have my pride. You treated me like a criminal earlier. Apologize, and then I might reconsider."

"I don’t apologize to anyone. Why should I start with you?" he replied.

"I won’t answer your question. You grabbed my neck and nearly killed me. Since you can’t apologize, I’m leaving," Kristin said, standing up. But just as she took two steps away, Richard grabbed her hand.

"Be my wife," he said, his voice commanding.

"Or what will you do if I refuse?"

"Then you’ll end up in jail for hitting my head. Agree to be my wife, or you’ll rot in jail."

Kristin looked at Richard, her heart pounding at the thought of going to jail.

Even if what she did was a mistake, this man in front of her will use his influence and power to make sure she ends up in prison.

She couldn’t go to jail in a foreign country, not when she had promised her parents that she would strive to pay off their debts.

"Are you threatening me?" Kristin asked, her heart racing.

Richard smirked and lowered himself to her level, his eyes cold. "You can take it as a threat if you want, but with just one call, you’d be spending your life in jail." His voice was tense, making Kristin fearful.

"So, Peanut, will you accept being my wife and let me pay off your parents' debts, or end up in jail? Because I won’t apologize to you," Richard bellowed.