The Kiss That Sparked it All

Ellinor Mendoza found herself on a blind date with a balding, chubby man in his forties. The man, displaying less-than-desirable qualities, proposed an ultimatum: if they were to get married, she had to quit her job, stay home, and produce a healthy baby boy within a year. The pressure from her stepmother, Tracy, to settle for such an unsuitable man was evident.

Despite initial criticisms about her makeup, the man perceived Ellinor as a catch due to her slim figure and decent demeanor. He inquired about her height, leading to a peculiar conversation about their potential height difference when kissing.

However, Ellinor's boredom reached its peak when a tall and imposing man entered the coffee shop. She seized the opportunity to escape the awkward date and approached the attractive stranger. Ellinor explained her situation, grabbed his tie, and planted a kiss on his lips, emphasizing the height difference.

The middle-aged man, embarrassed and angry, threatened to ruin Ellinor's reputation by reporting her actions to the matchmaker. Unfazed, Ellinor welcomed the consequences she had intentionally triggered.

As the man left angrily, Ellinor thanked the tall stranger, expressing her hope to meet again. To her surprise, her wrist was firmly gripped by a cold, strong hand, and the handsome stranger revealed himself as Theo Blanchet. He questioned her audacity, and a complication arose when news about the flight of his supposed fiancée, Sophia, forced to return due to bad weather reached him.

Ellinor, still in Theo's grip, impatiently asked for release. Theo, intrigued by her actions, decided to make her replace Sophia for the engagement party, crucial for his grandfather's health. Collin, a man in a black suit accompanying Theo, expressed doubt about Ellinor's suitability, but Theo insisted on her being his substitute.

Confused and wary, Ellinor was taken away by men in black suits and put into a luxurious black car. The unexpected turn of events led her to Pearl Moon Mansion for Theo Blanchet's grand engagement party. The crowd's expectations and the unusual pairing of Theo with Ellinor created a buzz in the room, leaving Ellinor feeling nervous and helpless on stage.

Chapter 1 “If we get hitched, you gotta quit your job and stay home. Take care of me, and pop out a healthy baby boy within a year! I don’t want a girl, ‘cause girls need more parenting!” Ellinor Mendoza looked at her blind date, a balding, chubby man in his forties. Her stepmother, Tracy, must have wanted her to settle for a less desirable man, hence the pressure to meet this unsuitable date. The middle–aged man had initially criticized Ellinor’s makeup, but seeing her slim figure and decent demeanor, he figured she was quite the catch. He then asked, “How tall are you?” Ellinor, bored stiff, stirred her coffee nonchalantly and replied softly, “5’6“.” The middle–aged man seemed pleased. “Hmm, your height is just about right for me. I’m about 5‘ 7“. You might need to stand on your toes when we kiss. But no worries, I can bend down a bit for you!” Ellinor’s eyelid twitched slightly. “Sir, I think you might be misunderstood. A man who needs a woman to stand on her toes to kiss him should be somewhat taller than you” The middle–aged man frowned, displeased. “What do you mean?” Just then, a tall and imposing man walked into the coffee shop, radiating a strong aura. Ellinor glanced up and noticed the man. She got up and walked over to him.. “Excuse me, handsome. Could you come over here for a second?” The magnificent man’s gaze turned cold. Before he could decline, Ellinor grabbed his tie, stood on her toes, and planted a precise kiss on his lips. “See? You should at least be as tall as him to deserve a woman standing on her toes for a kiss.” “You…” The middle–aged man was embarrassed and angry, pointing at Ellinor. “You’re so audacious, kissing a stranger like that! I will tell the matchmaker about this and ruin your reputation. You can forget about. finding a date in future!” Ellinor scoffed. This was exactly what she wanted. After the middle–aged man stormed off angrily, Ellinor waved at the tall man who had helped her. “Thank you for your help, sir! If fate allows, we’ll meet again. Goodbye!” She turned to leave, but her wrist was suddenly gripped by a cold, strong hand! A deep, icy voice reached her ears. “You kissed me, and you think you can just walk away?” She felt an overwhelming pressure, and looked up to a handsome face suddenly appearing in her line of sight. His face was stunning! His hair was elegantly combed, his features were sharp, and his expression was calm. He gave the impression he could handle any situation with ease. There was also a hint of danger! Ellinor thought to herself, “I was so focused on getting rid of that middle–aged man and picking the tallest man nearby to kiss, I didn’t pay attention to his face. Now that I look closely, he’s unusually handsome and has a unique aura!” Ellinor frowned slightly….What are you going to do?” The man stared at Ellinor in silence, his lips moved as if to say something. Just then, a man in a black suit standing next to him received a call. He approached them with a serious expression and reported, “Mr. Blanchet, there’s a problem! Ms. Sophia’s flight has been forced to return due to bad weather. She can’t make it back today, and your engagement party is tonight. What should we do?” The man’s brows furrowed. This engagement party was a matter of life and death for his grandfather! His grandfather had been urging him to get married as he was nearing thirty. Recently, his grandfather had a heart attack due to the stress and needed a heart transplant. However, he had made a strict declaration that he would only agree to the operation if Theo got engaged today and married in three days. Sophia was originally the woman he had found to appease his grandfather, but now she couldn’t make it…. At this moment, Ellinor, whose arm was still gripped tightly by the man, said impatiently, “Hey? Sir, is there anything else? If not, could you let go of me?” Theo Blanchet stared at Ellinor intensely, curiosity filling his eyes. He suddenly chuckled, “Since this lady came to me herself, let her replace Sophia!” Collin was taken aback, his eyes filled with disgust as he looked at Ellinor. Her makeup was heavy, her hair was messy, and she dressed like a troublemaker. How was this woman suitable for Mr. Blanchet? “Mr. Blanchet, isn’t this lady a bit….” “Her!” Collin dared not to object any further. “Yes, Mr. Blanchet!” Ellinor felt something was wrong and asked warily. “What do you mean by “Her?” Sir, what are you planning to do to me?” The man looked at her arrogantly and said coldly. “I want you to be committed to me!” Ellinor’s face was filled with surprise. *…Are you joking, sir? I just gave you a peck, and you want me to be committed to you? I just gave you my first kiss, and I didn’t even ask you to be in a relationship with me!” The man’s eyebrows raised slightly. “First kiss?” Ellinor sighed regretfully. “Yes! That was my first kiss ever, my first in 20 years!” This woman sure had character! Theo’s expression turned cold, his voice apathetic. “Take her away!” Next thing she knew, Ellinor was led away by several men in black suits and put into a luxurious black car…. Pearl Moon Mansion, the most luxurious urban mansion in the country. Today. Theo of the Blanchet family, was holding a grand engagement party here. The banquet hall was filled with celebrities, enjoying the food and drinks. “I wonder which lucky lady gets to be Mr. Blanchet’s woman!” “She must be some high–bred, beautiful and elegant lady! No ordinary chick could catch Mr. Blanchet’s eye!” ‘Look, Mr. Blanchet is here! He’s so hot…” “Hold on, is that girl with Mr. Blanchet his rumored fiancée? She looks a bit…” Not what you expected? Under everyone’s gaze, the eldest son of the Blanchet family, Theo, led an unusual girl to the center stage of the banquet. The host of the engagement party stepped forward, picked up the microphone and began to speak. “Ladies and gentlemen, good evening and welcome to Mr. Blanchet’s engagement party!” Ellinor was forced to stand on stage, feeling super nervous and helpless! Yes, she had done some excessive things to him without his permission. She knew she screwed up, and he could totally call the cops on her. She’d take whatever punishment the law would throw at her! But she never in a million years expected this guy to be so shameless. To drag her all the way here… for an engagement?!