The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Jonas couldn't help but grin when he was chastised by the fiery beauty before him. He shook his head in a self-satisfied manner. "Or, you know, I could just marry you. That would work, too." Elisea had had enough. She shot Jonas a scathing look. "Out with it, what's your angle? You could've easily offed me last night without breaking a sweat. So why the sudden kindness? Not only did you not kill me, but you're sparing my life?"

"Ah, of course, I have my schemes," Jonas admitted without hesitation. "I've already told you my reasons."

Elisea furrowed her brow again. This jerk was speaking in riddles! She couldn't make heads or tails of what he was on about!

But Jonas didn't seem interested in elaboration. His gaze was soft and gentle. "Ellie, relax. I have no intention of killing you. In fact, I'll take extra good care of you. Make yourself at home here. I saw you were hurt last night, so I'll have a doctor come check on you later."

Elisea's sense of security wavered as she stood up, pointing an accusatory finger at Jonas' nose. "You are such a jerk, how dare you peek at my back!"

Nobody knew better than Elisea the scars that marred her back - remnants of a failed mission long ago, when she had been lashed seven times by the boss! They were frightening and hideous. Jonas feigned innocence, opening his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I wasn't peeking, I swear. I did ask, but you were out like a light."

Frustrated and out of her element in this verbal sparring match, Elisea felt utterly cornered by Jonas. If she could have, she would've thrown her fork at him, hoping to leave him with more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese.

Watching Elisea's huff, Jonas teasingly cocked an eyebrow. "Better eat up before the food gets cold. Don't worry, it's not poisoned."

With that, he took a bite of the chicken he'd prepared, giving a comedic thumbs-up. "Mmm, tastes pretty darn good."

Elisea's stomach growled - she'd been hungry for a while. Hesitantly, she sat back down. Since this jerk didn't seem keen on killing her just yet, she might as well fill her belly first. She wasn't about to starve! Determined not to let Jonas look down on her, Elisea glared at him and started shoveling food into her mouth. The meal Jonas made was indeed delicious, and given her hunger, she devoured two plates like a whirlwind.

Jonas' heart twisted seeing her eat with such ferocity. What had she been through all these years to become the person she was now? He silently kept adding food to her plate, worried she wasn't eating well enough.

Elisea didn't refuse the hospitality, cleaning her plate quickly.

Suddenly, Jonas extended his hand towards her. Wary, Elisea caught his wrist with her fork, eyeing him defensively. "What are you playing at?"

With his right hand caught, Jonas swiftly used his left to remove a stray grain of rice from her lower lip, softly saying, "Just getting rid of that rice grain." Elisea's cheeks flushed. She pursed her lips and continued to focus on her meal.

After they finished eating, Jonas stood up, placing a set of sleek keys on the coffee table. "Ellie, these are the keys to the house. You're going to stay here." Elisea immediately stood up, her refusal swift, "You wish. I won't be staying!"

Jonas remained cool as he narrowed his eyes at her, full of confidence. "Oh? Don't you want to finish your mission and take me out? I'll give you that chance. You have one month. Feel free to try anytime, if you think you can."

With those words, Jonas left the villa.

Elisea watched his retreating figure, baffled. In her years of carrying out missions, she'd seen all sorts, but never someone who invited an assassin to try their luck while offering room and board. Truly a first. Elisea, ever the straightforward type, didn't dwell on things she couldn't figure out. Whether Jonas was mentally disturbed or just plain twisted didn't matter to her anymore.

Once she was sure he had left, she didn't pick up the keys. Instead, she shoved her hands in her pockets and coolly strolled off. To win freedom for her mother, she would find a way to take down the arrogant Jonas. However, she also had her principles. How could she comfortably live in the villa of a man whose life she intended to end?

After leaving the villa, Jonas headed straight for the corporate offices. He took the private elevator to the executive suite and sent an email to his assistant Brendan, instructing him to thoroughly investigate how Elisea had entered the country.

Brendan got to work immediately, following Jonas' orders to the letter.

Meanwhile, Jonas furrowed his brow, deep in thought. If his hunch was right, a particular family was pulling Elisea's strings. Regardless of their schemes, Jonas was sure he could thwart them. After all, no one had ever dared play games with him.

After a moment, Jonas focused on the company's affairs, signing contracts and approving accounts until the day had slipped by.

Glancing out at the sunset, he tidied his desk and left the office, driving towards the seaside villa. Upon arrival, he found the villa empty. Elisea had vanished. The keys he'd left on the table that morning made his brow crease deeply.

That sly fox had slipped away!

At the same time, Elisea appeared at the entrance of a hotel in the States. She confirmed the hotel's name and briskly made her way to a slightly ajar door on the thirteenth floor, then pushed it open and entered.

The room was dimly lit, shrouded in a deliberate gloom. Not only were the drapes drawn tight across the floor-to-ceiling windows, but every possible sliver of light was meticulously blocked out. Elisea strode in confidently, her voice hushed as she called out to a shadowy figure standing by the window, "Sir."

The man was an enigma, clothed in mystery as much as in his attire. He wore a black fedora, its wide brim casting a veil over his features. His form was swathed in a trench coat that kissed the floor, while his hands were sheathed in pristine white gloves. He presented an aura of mystique, an air of unapproachability that warded off the unfamiliar.

At the sound of Elisea's voice, the man turned, his initially forbidding gaze softening instantly, "Hello, is this mission proving to be a tough nut to crack? We've already blown past the deadline our leader set. You've always been a sure shot and never missed your mark. How come you haven't taken down Jonas yet?"