Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him Before adopting Eloise , Caroline had been a staunch believer in staying single for life . Even after bringing Eloise into her world , she naively thought her love alone would be enough to give this little girl , who'd lost her mother at birth and faced a rocky start , a happy , fulfilling life . But somewhere along the way , things got complicated . The first time Eloise , with her big , cautious eyes , asked why she didn't have a daddy , Caroline's heart sank . Raising a child , she realized , wasn't just about love . Making a child truly happy was far more intricate than she'd imagined . That was when her ironclad no - marriage rule began to waver . She started entertaining the idea of marriage . At first , she figured she'd pick someone tolerable from her pool of suitors . to find someone who was kind , patient , and attentive . But every time she mentally sifted through the candidates , ready to take the next step , an invisible force seemed to hold her back , keeping her rooted in place . Strangely , though , when she met Alistair and pictured him as her future partner , she felt absolutely no resistance . Alistair was handsome , his features aligning perfectly with her tastes . But looks weren't what sealed the deal . It was his eyes . Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him Sometimes they held a flicker of uncertainty , but they were always clear , almost luminous with a quiet sincerity . He was unlike any man she'd ever met . He had the unspoiled purity of a young boy , yet carried a steadiness rare for his age . 2/9 It was as if he'd endured countless hardships but emerged with his kindness and warmth intact . It was a quality no one could fake . Caroline wasn't impulsive by nature . Sure , she could be bold , even a little wild at times , but never reckless . She wasn't sure if it was Eloise's instant connection with this man or the uncanny sense of familiarity he sparked in her from the moment they met . Whatever it was , she'd made up her mind . Alistair was the one she wanted , and she wasn't letting him slip away . Eloise bounced back , freshly cleaned , her face glowing . She clambered into Caroline's lap for a quick cuddle , then shyly sidled over to Alistair , resting against his leg and fidgeting with her fingers . Alistair reached down , gently ruffling her hair with a warm smile . He genuinely liked this little girl . Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him 3/9 Her bright , sugary smile was like a balm , soothing the wounds left by years of dealing with Daniel's tantrums and chaos . For a fleeting moment , he even found himself thinking how wonderful it would be if he could have such a lovely daughter . Eloise tilted her head up , her eyes wide and hopeful . " Alistair , will we see you again ? " Seeing her expectant expression , Alistair hesitated , then gave a vague but gentle reply . " If fate wants us to , I'm sure we will . " A voice chimed in his mind . " New life opportunity detected . Host , please make your choice . " Option one : This mother and daughter are strangers with unknown intentions . Fresh out of a disastrous marriage , you're wary of diving into something that seems even more absurd . You crave a simple , quiet life . " Option two : Life calls for boldness . A stunning , enigmatic CEO as your wife , an adorable daughter , and a million dollars a month in spending money … You're ready to take the leap ! " Choose option one for 10 system credits . Choose option two for 200 system credits . Host , make your decision ! " Alistair let out a wry chuckle . The system was practically handing him the answer on a silver platter . If he couldn't figure this out , he didn't deserve the Life as for 1 nimes Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him Choice System . Now , he was certain that this mother - daughter duo was his opportunity . It was almost comical . 4/9 His so - called golden opportunity seemed to be one where he got to live off a woman . But if he could do it with dignity , he wasn't opposed . The moment he'd agreed to Rebecca's deal to save his father from prison , he'd stopped being the idealistic , proud young man he once was . Alistair lifted his gaze to meet Caroline's . She sat across from him , poised and patient , waiting for his answer . When he finally said , " Okay , " the tension in Caroline's shoulders eased , her heart settling back into place . Only then did she realize her hands , clenched tightly in her lap , were slick with sweat . She'd negotiated billion - dollar contracts without breaking a sweat , but this? This had her nerves in knots . Thank goodness he said yes . Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him 5/9 If he hasn't , I wouldn't have hesitated to pull out all the stops to keep him . Caroline knew she'd have gone to any lengths , especially since her precious daughter genuinely adored him . And , if she was honest , Eloise wasn't the only one smitten . A cheerful ping of 200 system credits deposited into his account brought a wave of unexpected joy to Alistair . " So , when do we … " he started . " No time like the present , " Caroline cut in , her tone decisive . Alistair blinked , a puzzled smile tugging at his lips . " Sorry , I think you misunderstood . I was asking when we'd head to City Hall . " Caroline took a sip of her coffee , unfazed . " I didn't misunderstand . I meant today . " Alistair was momentarily speechless . If he didn't trust the system to have his back , her eagerness would've set off every alarm bell in his head . Seeing his hesitation , Caroline arched a brow . " What's the problem ? Not okay with that ? " " No , it's not that , " Alistair said , choosing his words carefully . " It's just … City Hall's probably closed by now . " Gjes joj jou bychungs Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him 6/9 Only then did Caroline realize she'd been a little too hasty . She'd been so caught up in the moment that she'd overlooked the obvious . A flush of embarrassment crept up her neck . She worried her urgency might've spooked him . " Sorry , " she said , her usual icy composure faltering . " It's my first time getting married . I'm not exactly familiar with the process . " The poised CEO used the excuse to mask her momentary lapse , a rare crack in her polished exterior . At a high - end luxury boutique , Rebecca slid her card across the counter without a second thought , snapping up a 580 - thousand - dollar limited - edition handbag . Her father was a well - known entrepreneur in New York , and as his only child , Rebecca lived a life of leisure without ever working a day . As long as she didn't go completely overboard , her parents ' wealth could sustain her , and her son , for generations . Exhausted from shopping , she sank into a plush chair in the store's VIP lounge , sipping coffee with her two best friends . Her friend Anne Thorne grinned , raising her cup . " Congrats , Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him 7/9 Rebecca ! All those years of waiting finally paid off . When's the big day ? I'm getting you the best wedding gift ever . " Rebecca tossed her freshly styled , sultry curls with a playful smile . " Whatever you get , it better be good . Don't worry , when your turn comes , I'll return the favor with something just as fabulous . " Her other friend , Vivienne Everett , leaned forward , curiosity piqued . " What about Alistair ? " Anne jumped in before Rebecca could answer . " Yeah , that guy's a walking headache ! " Rebecca's tone was cool and dismissive . " A headache ? Please . I kicked him to the curb , and that was that . " Vivienne's eyes widened . " You just kicked him out ? Just like that ? " " Yup , " Rebecca said , her voice brimming with confidence . " He was just a pawn to mess with Rick . Now that Rick's back , why would I keep him around ? " As Rebecca's closest confidantes , Anne and Vivienne had known from the start the secret her parents still didn't . They knew Alistair had been a tool in her game with Richard . Vivienne shook her head , her voice soft but firm . " Rebecca , don't be so harsh . We've all seen how he treated you and Danny these past six years . Honestly , sometimes I thought if you'd just opened your eyes to how good he was , you could've had a great ajes joj jou ejdwes Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him life with him . Guys that thoughtful are rare . " 8/9 Rebecca scoffed , her lips curling , " What , you've got a thing for him now ? " Vivienne smirked , half - serious . " Maybe I do . You knew I always thought he was a catch . If he hadn't been your husband in name , I'd have made a move ages ago . " " Well , he's all yours now , " Rebecca said with a shrug . " We finalized the divorce today . " Anne let out a sly chuckle , her expression calculating . " Vivienne , you're so naive . You really think Alistair was good to Rebecca and her kid out of the kindness of his heart ? He just wanted to stay close to Rebecca and live a high life . Talk about daydreaming . Rebecca would never fall for a broke guy like that . " Vivienne didn't argue . She had her own read on Alistair and didn't buy Anne's take . Anne , eager for gossip , turned back to Rebecca . " So , when you told him to get lost , I bet he begged you to stay , right ? I mean , I get it . Without you , he's got no shot at living in a fancy house or having that kind of lifestyle ever again , " Rebecca's mind flashed to the moment she'd told him to leave . His face had been so calm , so devoid of emotion . He hadn't begged at all . He hadn't even looked back . Her thoughts drifted to their final encounter outside the Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him 9/9 courthouse , his indifferent expression haunting her . A flicker of irritation tightened her jaw . She kept her voice icy , masking the unease . " I told him to leave , and he left . Whether he begs or not , it's useless . "