The nurse quietly walked out, not wanting their innocent hearts to be corrupted by Mr. Banks and his wife.
But the old man they were putting on a show for seemed unimpressed.
He spoke calmly, "That still does not fool me."
"Old man, you are crossing your boundaries," Luciano warned.
Their eyes met, and a spark seemed to ignite between them. The air became tense and quiet.
"Let's just tell him the truth," Estrella said, breaking the silence.
Luciano looked at her in shock, while a smile crept onto Chairman Banks' face.
"We truly are married," Estrella said.
Chairman Banks frowned.
Before Luciano could breathe a sigh of relief, Estrella continued,
"But not like any other marriage."
"Not a normal marriage?" Chairman Banks asked, raising a brow.
Estrella nodded.
"What kind of marriage is it then?"
Luciano looked at Estrella, his gaze laced with warning.
It clearly said: I will make you regret this if you ruin everything.
Chairman Banks noticed the look. "Come sit here."
He gently patted the space beside him. "Don't be scared. He dares not do anything to you."
Estrella showed no fear and walked over to sit beside him.
"Now tell me," he urged.
"Well, it's a trial marriage," Estrella said with a straight face.
"A trial marriage?"
"Yes. We both agreed to get married on trial—that is, to test if we are suitable for each other and can sustain a happy marriage. If not, we divorce," Estrella explained without blinking.
The old man thought for a moment, then nodded. "Oh, you should have told me earlier."
Luciano watched in amazement as his grandfather completely accepted the explanation.
This woman really knows what she's doing.
Even Berry felt the young mistress deserved an award.
She was that good.
"You are such a good girl. Not like some unfilial grandson who only knows how to lie," Chairman Banks said, throwing a look at Luciano.
"So, let me guess—you are from France, right?"
Chairman Banks asked, trying to know his daughter-in-law better.
"Oui," Estrella replied, surprised. "How did you guess?"
"I just guessed."
"Oh."
"What about your parents?"
Estrella lowered her eyes. "They are late."
"Oh, I'm sorry about that," Chairman Banks said.
Estrella shook her head. "It's okay. It happened so long ago that I don't feel sad anymore."
"It's not that you don't feel the pain anymore—you've just gotten used to it."
Seeing them chat, Luciano didn't mind being left out.
What mattered was that his grandfather believed the marriage.
And he already did.
Luciano gestured for Berry to bring his laptop, and he resumed working.
Estrella and Chairman Banks continued chatting, and he quickly grew fond of her.
She was blunt and straightforward—not like others who only tried to curry favor with him.
He glanced at Luciano and saw he was completely immersed in his work.
"Such a workaholic," Chairman Banks muttered.
Estrella also looked at Luciano.
At that moment, she saw him brush his finger lightly over his lips.
She couldn't help but recall the kiss—the way his lips had brushed against hers.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Gosh, what is wrong with me? she thought, touching her face.
Why was she reacting like this? It was just an act.
But it was normal… after all, it had been her first real kiss.
Even when she had a boyfriend, she had never kissed Martins.
The most they ever did was a peck on the cheek.
Suddenly, Chairman Banks shouted, "Luciano!"
"What?" Luciano replied, his gaze still fixed on his laptop.
"What kind of husband are you? Abandoning your wife to me?" Chairman Banks scolded.
"What do you want me to do with her?" Luciano replied calmly, not looking up. "Make out with her in front of you?"
Estrella immediately looked away, embarrassed by his bluntness.
"You—!" Chairman Banks grew angrier. "Is that all you can think of?"
"What else do couples do?" Luciano asked, finally glancing at him.
"Can't you communicate? How do you expect to maintain a marriage without talking?"
Before Luciano could respond, the door was pushed open.
A woman walked in, dressed in high-end clothing, exuding authority. Behind her was a young lady who looked like a wealthy heiress.
Estrella noticed the change in Chairman Banks' expression—and the way Luciano's face turned colder.
"Father," the woman called as she walked up to Chairman Banks.
"I've been hospitalized for over a week, and you're just coming to see me. Were you hoping I'd be dead?" Chairman Banks said coldly.
The woman didn't seem bothered. She went ahead and sat beside Luciano.
Luciano immediately shifted away, leaving a noticeable gap between them.
But she ignored it.
With a bright smile, she said, "Look who I brought. Doesn't she seem like a potential fiancée?"
She pointed at the young lady.
The girl lowered her head shyly. "You flatter me, Aunty."
She stole a glance at Luciano, waiting for his reaction.
Before anything could happen, Estrella stood and walked toward Luciano.
Then she sat directly on his lap.
"A potential fiancée?"
She looked at Luciano coquettishly. "Does my husband want to take another wife?"
Luciano was stunned for a moment.
Then his arm wrapped around her waist protectively.
"How could I? You are my one and only," he said, tucking her hair behind her ear.
Chairman Banks smiled at the scene, secretly giving Estrella a thumbs-up.
Meanwhile, the woman and the young lady stared in shock.