Chapter 2 The Offer

Bryan walked closer and tried to pull Angeline away from her spot. However, as Bryan was about to get into the car, Angeline immediately held him back.

"Let me take you, sir. I promised to get you home safely," Angeline said confidently.

"Don't you have a mirror?" Bryan asked, bewildering Angeline.

"Am... am I too pretty as a replacement driver?" Angeline asked innocently. Bryan looked at her in surprise.

"Your face is so pale, like a dead person's!"

"I'm not dead."

"And I don't want to die yet. So, go home. I don't want to get into an accident because you're driving with that face," Bryan pushed Angeline again, but Angeline held onto Bryan's body.

"I can't! Sir, please let me take you," Angeline pleaded with a pitiful expression.

Bryan sighed, his phone rang, and he had to answer it. Feeling incapable of driving and in a hurry to get home, Bryan reluctantly allowed Angeline to drive his car while he continued his phone call.

With permission granted, Angeline skillfully drove the car smoothly and safely. Despite her pale face, profuse sweating, and the car's air conditioning being quite cold, Angeline remained focused without the slightest error.

Even when overtaking or making turns, she did so seamlessly without any mistakes. Unbeknownst to Bryan, who was busy on the phone with his client, he was quite impressed. Angeline didn't look like a rookie driver at all; she appeared very professional.

A few moments later, their car had entered Bryan's driveway. Angeline got out first and opened the door for Bryan.

"Have a good rest, sir," Angeline said, nodding slightly.

"Thank you for getting me home safely," Bryan said and handed her a hundred-thousand-dollar bill.

"A tip for you," he added, and Angeline accepted it with a broad smile.

"Thank you again."

Angeline walked away from the scene, while Bryan continued to gaze at her with an inexplicable look. As Bryan turned and took only three steps, he was startled by a rather loud thud.

Bryan turned around to find the source of the noise, becoming even more surprised when he saw Angeline lying unconscious on the ground. He quickly walked towards her.

"Hey, are you okay?" Bryan asked, trying to shake Angeline's body. There was no response. Bryan touched Angeline's face, which was now very pale, warm, and covered in sweat.

Bryan reluctantly carried Angeline inside his house. He placed her on the living room sofa and called a doctor he knew.

An hour later, Angeline began to regain consciousness. Her eyes slowly opened, and she was surprised to find herself in an unfamiliar place.

"Are you awake?" a man's voice sounded as he entered the room, carrying a package in his hand.

"You fainted on the street. Why did it have to be at my house?" he asked again, making Angeline look at him in bewilderment.

I'm... at your house?" Angeline asked, realizing who was in front of her.

"Yes. Hah... the doctor has examined you, and you... malnourished, exhausted, and even anemic. What's going on with you? How could you work in such a condition?" Bryan scolded, appearing irritated despite not caring about Angeline.

"Ah... I'm sorry for inconveniencing you, sir. I... will pay for everything, but can it be in installments?"

Bryan stared at Angeline blankly, but deep down, he was very surprised. His first concern was the medical expenses he would have to cover for her, not the details of her health.

"Eat first, and then you can go," Bryan said, indicating the package he had brought. However, Angeline didn't take the package. Instead, she reached for her phone and immediately checked it.

"OH MY GOODNESS! I lost a lot of jobs; why did I have to faint like this?" Angeline exclaimed and quickly got out of the bed she had been resting on, rushing to leave.

Bryan held Angeline's hand and remained silent for a while until Angeline pulled her hand away.

"Thank you for helping me. Please contact me for the medical expenses through your driver, sir. Excuse me," Angeline said, pulling her hand and heading for the guest room she had used.

Bryan still stood there in silence. He wanted so badly to ignore Angeline, even though he knew her condition. But after a while, Bryan began to feel anxious and uncertain. Eventually, he followed Angeline, who was already at the doorway.

"How much?" Bryan asked, stopping Angeline in her tracks.

"What?" Angeline turned to look at Bryan, puzzled.

"How much... is your fee? Per hour? Or per job? I will pay you."

Angeline looked at him, not understanding at first, but a moment later, she was shocked, covering the front of her body by crossing her arms.

Bryan stopped and sighed, rubbing his forehead with his right hand, which he had slipped into his pants pocket. He couldn't believe that Angeline would think so far into his previous statement.

"What do you mean, sir? I'm not an escort! Even though I desperately need money, I still have my dignity. I may accept all kinds of jobs, but not serving men like you!"

Hearing that, Bryan couldn't help but laugh. Angeline was briefly enchanted by Bryan's increased handsomeness, which doubled when he laughed like that. Since their first meeting, Bryan had seemed cold and very serious.

"Why are you laughing? Do you think this is a joke?" Angeline asked angrily.

"Ah no... sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. And I didn't think you would believe I would pay you for... doing that. I just want you to finish your meal. If you leave in that state, I'm sure you'll faint on the street."

"What?"

Bryan continued, "Consider your doctor's fees paid if you finish the meal I bought for you and don't forget to take the medicine the doctor prescribed. I don't know why I have to care about you like this."

A few moments later, Angeline finished eating a bowl of warm porridge and immediately took her medicine. Meanwhile, Bryan was busy with his tablet. Suddenly, a message came in from Mrs. Rose, his stepmother.

Bryan hesitated to open the message and simply put down his tablet. His face once again turned cold and serious.

"Thank you for the porridge and medicine. Is my debt paid now? If so, I'll take my leave," Angeline said after washing her bowl and plate.

"Why do you work odd jobs like this? You even agreed to be a substitute driver. What if I were a bad person?" Bryan asked, stopping Angeline from leaving.

"I'm just a hard worker willing to do anything to earn a living. My mother is sick, and we have no one else to rely on. If it's not me, then who?"

"Anything... as long as it pays?"

"Yes."

Bryan fell silent for a moment, thinking seriously while walking closer to Angeline. He put his hands in his pockets and stopped just one step away from where Angeline stood.

"In that case, would you be willing to work for me? At least for one year?" Bryan offered.

"What kind of job are you offering?"

"Marry me and give birth to a son for me."

Angeline was shocked to hear Bryan's proposal.