Bold Step Against Hoffman
The story of Emily Merwin is a high-stakes tale of betrayal, family politics, and a daring gamble for revenge through a contract marriage. The Catalyst: Betrayal at Home The narrative begins with....
The story of Emily Merwin is a high-stakes tale of betrayal, family politics, and a daring gamble for revenge through a contract marriage. The Catalyst: Betrayal at Home The narrative begins with Emily Merwin returning from a business trip to a nightmare. Her childhood sweetheart, Edward Thompson, and her parents have completely sidelined her in favor of her long-lost elder sister, Cecilia, who has returned after twenty years. In a shocking display of favoritism, Emily’s mother slaps her for "disappointing" the family, accusing her of trying to steal the man Cecilia loves—despite Edward being Emily’s boyfriend for years. The betrayal is total: Edward Thompson gaslights Emily, claiming he only ever saw her as a "younger sister." The Merwin Parents decide to give 80% of the family company shares to Cecilia and appoint her as manager, despite Emily’s superior qualifications and years of service. Cecilia Merwin plays the role of the innocent victim, using "white lotus" tactics to manipulate their parents and Edward. The Reckless Gamble: The Uncle Strategy Broken and humiliated, Emily retreats to a pub with her friend Sasha Curtis. There, Sasha points out a powerful, mysterious man in the corner: Charles Hoffman. Sasha identifies him as Edward Thompson’s uncle, recently returned from overseas and possessing influence that dwarfs the rest of the family. Fueled by wine and a desire for "revenge by rank," Emily decides that if she cannot be Edward’s wife, she will become his aunt. She boldly approaches Charles and proposes marriage on the spot. To her shock, the cold and stoic Charles agrees, instructing her to meet him at the registry office the next morning. The Contract Marriage The next day, Emily follows through. She meets Charles, and they sign a marriage contract with specific terms: A duration of three years, followed by a divorce. A financial settlement for Emily. No children. A strictly platonic living arrangement (Emily is relegated to the guest room). During the photo session, Emily jokingly tells the photographer that Charles has "facial paralysis" to explain his lack of a smile, establishing their dynamic as a mix of her playful audacity and his icy detachment. Life at Jadeite Bay Emily moves into Charles’s minimalist apartment, expecting the life of a billionaire's wife. Instead, she finds: "Jenny": Charles warned her about "Jenny," whom Emily feared was a secret child. Jenny turns out to be a pampered, grumpy white-and-gold cat. Frugality: Despite his wealth, Charles drives a modest Lexus and uses gas-station tissues, a stark contrast to the flashy Thompson family. The Power Shift: While Charles acts like an ordinary lawyer (his home is filled with legal texts), his true status as a titan of the Hoffman empire remains a looming shadow. Conflict at the Summit Building Design Group The professional stakes rise when Emily goes to work at the family firm. She is met by James Lennon (a project manager) and her sister Cecilia. Backed by Edward, Cecilia informs Emily that her lead role in the "New City" development project has been revoked and given to Cecilia. This sets the stage for a dual-front battle. Emily must navigate a cold, domestic "war" with her enigmatic new husband while fighting to reclaim her professional standing against the Merwin-Thompson alliance.