In the bustling heart of the city, amidst the towering buildings and the ceaseless hum of urban life, Anna Hudson stood outside the Civil Affairs Bureau, a marriage certificate clutched tightly in her hand. The day had been a whirlwind, a blur of hurried vows and official stamps, and she was still trying to process the fact that she was now a married woman.

The decision had been swift, driven by desperation and a deep sense of familial duty. Her family's financial struggles had reached a critical point, threatening her brother's chance at marriage. The weight of their predicament had fallen squarely on her shoulders, and she had sought a drastic solution.

"Anna Hudson, you know our family's circumstances. Your brother wouldn't still be single and unmarried at thirty if things were even slightly better. Now, we finally have a girl who is willing to marry him. But we can't muster up a dowry of three hundred thousand dollars even if it kills me. I'm not trying to pressure you. It's just... If he misses this opportunity, your brother might end up a bachelor for the rest of his life. Anna Hudson, could you help your brother think of a way out? You have been smart since you were little, surely you will have a solution, right?"

The image of her mother, Scarlett Foster, kneeling on the floor the night before, wiping away tears, echoed in her mind. Her mother was crying pathetically. And her father, George Richardson, was merely looking down, chain smoking incessantly. The atmosphere at home had never been this tense before. For a moment, it seemed like Anna Hudson had become the last hope for the family. If she were to refuse, it would be tantamount to pushing her parents towards despair.

"Regretting it?"

A deep and cold voice echoed next to her. It was James Anderson, her newly minted husband. His voice was very pleasing to the ear, like a resounding cello, yet it could pierce one's heart in an instant.

Anna Hudson returned to her senses, hurriedly shaking her head, "No." Only her hands clutching the marriage certificate were tightly clenched. The purpose of her marriage was very clear - it was for three hundred thousand dollars. This three hundred thousand was a condition she added herself.

Previously, Anna Hudson had helped Scott Hunt, an old man who happened to be James’ grandfather. She had a good relationship with him. After some time, Scott wanted to introduce his own grandson to her, but Anna Hudson did not take it seriously at first. Scott mentioned it several times later. He said his grandson was very reliable. Apart from being on the older side, he had a stable income, wasn't frivolous in his spending, and was considered suitable for a stable life. Last night, Anna Hudson took the initiative to contact Scott. She agreed to get married, but asked if she could get the three hundred thousand after they registered their marriage, as a loan, promising to pay it back when she had money in the future. Scott immediately agreed, laughing as he said, "Not to mention three hundred thousand, even thirty billion would be fine."

James Anderson gave Anna Hudson a card and a key. His thin lips lightly parted, saying, "There is the three hundred thousand you want in the card, and the password is six sixes. The house is in Yun Jin Wan, you can move in anytime you want. I will transfer money into the card every month as I am usually busy with work. Unless it's something important, you don't need to contact me.”

His manner of speaking was very aloof. It was as if he was giving instructions to a subordinate, doing everything by the book. Anna Hudson understood his attitude. After all, it was their first marriage and they hadn't seen each other before. It was natural for him to not be interested in her. However, Anna Hudson decided to commit to being his wife. She was actually a traditional woman. Even if her marriage to James was for the sake of borrowing money, since they were married, she would fulfill the duties of a wife.

"Can I move in a few days later?"

James: ??? Is there a difference?

Anna Hudson continued, "I need to explain the sudden marriage to my family, but rest assured, I'll make up for our missed wedding night.”

Wedding night? He didn’t expect this woman to bring that matter up. Well, she was twenty-six this year, almost in her thirties. It's said that women are like tigers at thirty, so it was normal for her to have demands. James’s eyes darkened, and he took a longer look at her. She did have a good figure. Especially her buttocks. He took a small step forward, instantly reducing the distance between him and Anna Hudson.

Anna Hudson's hand gripping the marriage certificate tightened: What was he going to do?

"Do you want to sleep with me?" James asked very directly.

Anna Hudson's face turned even redder, her heart pounding in her throat. She nodded heavily and responded, "Since we are married, as a wife, I should try my best to satisfy my husband's needs. I - have no problem."

Phew! She was very nervous. She dared not look at James's face.

"I don't need it." The way James turned to leave was cold. By the time Anna Hudson reacted, he had already climbed into the car worth hundreds of thousands. His eyes were dark as he added, looking out the car window at Anna Hudson, "The house was prepared for you, I won't live there."

Anna Hudson: ??? Not living together? It seemed like she understood. James didn’t willingly choose to marry her; it looked like it was prompted by his grandfather, Scott Hunt. Since he wasn't going to live there, Anna Hudson felt even less need to take the keys to the house. She rushed over and handed the keys to James, "You don't need to prepare a house especially for me, I have a place to stay. I am also not clear about what's going on between you and Scott Hunt. As long as we're married, I will fulfill my duties. As for you - I won't impose any limitations."

Anna Hudson only needed to know that she was free from guilt. She continued, "And about that 300,000, I said it's borrowed, so it's borrowed. Once I make money, I will pay you back, capital and interest included." She had clarified everything that needed to be explained. At this moment, Anna Hudson felt completely relaxed. On the other hand, James in the car hesitated for a moment. As he took the keys, he felt a bit overwhelmed.

"Also, would it be convenient to add me on WeChat? I don’t mean anything else, I just think that since we got the marriage certificate, we should keep a way to contact each other. I won't disturb you if there’s nothing serious, you can rest assured."

"Mm."

Anderson Family’s old mansion. James threw the marriage certificate in front of Scott Hunt, "Satisfied now?"

"Rotten boy." Scott immediately used his crutch to smack James. Despite James being the president of Anderson Corp, known for his firm decision-making, he still gets hit by his grandfather at home. "Are you marrying a wife, or am I? What's the use of me being satisfied?" It doesn't make sense. Miss Hudson is both beautiful and sensible, how could a good girl like her be overlooked? Scott really doubted whether his grandson was having vision problems.

"The marriage certificate has been obtained, the wife has been wed, can you let me be now?" Scott, "You..."

"Grandpa, I'm really busy. Please, leave me alone." James turned around and left the old house. Scott muttered: "Spoiled brat, acting as if you've been wronged. Miss Hudson is such a good girl, young and beautiful, she didn't even complain. And here you are, an old man, shamelessly complaining?" Just wait. Wait till the day you truly appreciate her, let's see if you're still complaining then.

Meanwhile. Anna Hudson went to the bank and withdrew all $300,000 in cash and brought it home. The card belonged to James, she couldn't give it all to her mother. At home. Brian Webb visited again. "Have you finally made up your mind? In this day and age, you still can't cough up $300,000 for the dowry? If you don't have the money, find a way to get it. You know very well how difficult it is to find a bride these days, otherwise your child wouldn't still be single in his thirties and unable to find a wife." Who doesn't want to get married, of course we want to. Even in his dreams, he yearns to marry a wife. A dowry of three hundred thousand is far too much for the Hudson family. Let alone three hundred thousand, they can't even manage to conjure up thirty thousand. "What a situation! I see now. With your family's condition, it might be better for you to remain a bachelor all your life. Why marry? Even if you marry a girl, she will have to share your hardships. Who would willingly jump into such a pit of fire?" Brian Webb was ready to leave. At this point, Anna Hudson returned. She heavily placed the dowry of three hundred thousand dollars onto the ground, "Who said we can't afford a dowry?" "Anna Anna, what is this...?" Hudson's mother approached, tearing open the bag. She saw the vibrant red banknotes inside. Having lived for more than half her life, this was the first time she had seen such amount of money. She swiftly sat down and began counting. Exactly three hundred thousand. Three hundred thousand! It was too good to be true. Her son could finally marry a wife. Hudson's mother hurriedly stood up, head high and chest out, her whole demeanor shifting to a confident one, "Who said our family can’t marry a bride? Here is a dowry of three hundred thousand, not a penny less."

Brian Webb’s eyes widened, then narrowed. “Where did you get this money?” she asked, suspicion lacing her voice.

Anna Hudson simply smiled, “That’s our business. What matters is that we have it.”

Brian Webb, flustered, stammered, “Well, well, if you have it, then you have it. I’ll go tell the girl’s family immediately.” She hurried out, her previous arrogance replaced with a nervous haste.

Anna Hudson turned to her parents, her expression softening. “Mom, Dad, this money is from my… husband.”

Her mother’s eyes sparkled. “Husband? You got married? When? To whom?”

Anna Hudson explained briefly, omitting the details of the rushed arrangement. “He’s a good man, very generous. He insisted on giving me this money.”

Her father, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, “Generous, indeed. But Anna Hudson, are you sure about this? Marrying someone you barely know?”

“I know it was sudden, Dad,” Anna Hudson said, “but it was necessary. And he’s a good person. I can tell.”

Her mother, already envisioning her son’s wedding, dismissed her husband’s concerns. “Good person or not, he gave us the money, didn’t he? That’s all that matters. Now, let’s go tell your brother the good news!”

Anna Hudson watched as her parents’ faces lit up with joy, a bittersweet feeling washing over her. She was glad she could help her family, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had just entered into a complicated arrangement. She pulled out her phone and added James Anderson on WeChat, sending a simple message: “Thank you.”

Back at the Anderson mansion, James received the message. He stared at the screen for a moment, then typed a curt reply: “You’re welcome.” He closed the app, a flicker of something he couldn’t quite identify passing through his eyes. He wasn’t sure what he had gotten himself into, but he knew one thing: his life had just taken an unexpected turn.