Pov: Vik
I think I should do something to fix this problem. Maybe I can talk to that broker and say hello while I'm at it. He might need some shock therapy. As I have this thought, I leave the office, and at the same moment, I get a message from Lu Xiaoran. They ask if they can take their mother out, but I refuse. I tell them we will work to get the court to release her, with all due respect.
After relaying this message, they agree. I also tell them to wait at the manor and prepare some new clothes since we need to crash Lin Chen's party. After saying this, I refocus on the current matter. I've already wasted too much time in the office. I only have one more hour for my registration; otherwise, I'll have to come back tomorrow.
With this in mind, I search for that broker. I need to convince the people behind him that corruption is wrong—peacefully, of course. Soon I spot him walking around outside the registration office, possibly looking for customers. I approach him and say I want to finalize my registration and I'm ready to pay.
He smiles when he hears me and tells me to follow him. He takes me to another building, the marriage registration office. Confused by his actions, I ask why. He replies that the police have been patrolling near the registration office, so most of the work has shifted here. He enters the office and tells me to wait outside. I secretly follow him, hoping to catch him and his accomplice together.
Just then, some people in high-tech suits that look like SWAT gear enter the office. They carry advanced assault rifles and arrest everyone inside, including that broker. This could be a happy ending for me, but for some reason, I also get arrested.
Now standing in front of me is a woman with ashen blonde hair, bright golden eyes, and stunning features. Her muscular body still has feminine curves. She looks at me, mistaking me for an accomplice.
With a rough voice that has a hint of melody, she says, "Hey mister, you need to come with us. You've been arrested on charges of corruption."
To clear up the misunderstanding, I reply, "Ma'am, I am not involved with them. I'm just here waiting for someone."
She raises an eyebrow and responds, "That's what every criminal says. I'm experienced in dealing with guys like you, so just surrender while I'm being nice."
Vik: "No, I'm telling the truth. I'm just standing here."
The officer, clearly irritated, says, "Can you explain why you're standing in front of the marriage registration office?"
Feeling her anger, I gulp. I could teleport away, but that would complicate my future plans in this city, and I don't want to be arrested. So, I come up with an excuse. "I came here to get married to my wife."
She looks confused and asks, "Okay, then where is your wife? Don't tell me she's on her way, or she just canceled your marriage."
I look around and spot Pushpa in my arms still holding that doll. An idea strikes me. I take the doll, hold it above my head, and say in a crazy tone, "Look, this is my wife, my sweet wife! Her name is Paaro."
The crowd, including the woman, stares at me as if I'm insane. Another officer who came with her whispers in her ear, "Officer Kalina, I think this guy has something wrong with his brain. He's talking about marrying a doll." After hearing this, I finally learn the name of the officer is Kalina.
Kalina scowls and says, "Don't try to be clever. Why would someone marry a doll?"
I reply, "No, she's not a doll. She is Paaro, my Paaro, my love." At this point, most think I'm mad, but Kalina still looks doubtful and asks, "Why did you marry that doll, I mean Paaro? Don't you realize there are so many women in this world? Or do you have some kind of doll fetish?"
I put on a sad expression and say, "Why? Why? Even I don't understand why this is happening to me. I once had a bright future and a happy family, but I lost everything."
At that moment, even Kalina's expression softens with pity. She asks, "What happened? Can you tell us? Maybe we can help you."
Vik: "No, you can't help me. This is the fate of someone who pursues love. I once had her smiling with me, but now I only have her in doll form."
Some people in the background have tears in their eyes, and some women even start to cry. Another officer says, "Hey man, you need some help. Nothing will change if you keep dwelling on the past. I know your heart may be broken, but you have to move on to live a happy life."
Hearing this, I look at him blankly and respond, "Leave, leave! That's all I've heard all my life." I take a deep breath, fake tears in my eyes, and say, "My father said to leave the village, the villagers said to leave Paaro, Paaro said to leave alcohol, and now you're saying to leave the past. Soon you'll all say to leave the world."
I deliver the final line with deep emotion, then start walking away from the crowd. Surprisingly, no one stops me because they are still stunned by what I said. I slowly walk into an alley, and once I'm sure no one is around, I teleport away.
Meanwhile, Officer Kalina and the other officers who watched my performance are still caught up in sadness. Some have tears in their eyes. Kalina feels touched by my words, then suddenly realizes I'm nowhere to be found. An officer comes to her and says, "Ma'am, we checked the CCTV footage, and he's telling the truth. He was just standing there and is not involved in this corruption case."
Those words hit her hard, and she feels guilty for embarrassing me. She didn't even catch my name but silently promises herself that if she ever finds me again, she will help me.
Oblivious to all this, I teleport back to my manor. I didn't use public transport as I'm in a hurry, still holding Pushpa in my arms, who is sleeping soundly. However, the cursed doll I hold shows a sad expression, different from her usual smile, but I don't notice this change.