Soren Valmere was branded worthless after he failed to awaken three years in a row, becoming nothing more than a family embarrassment with no future.

Ethea Morvain was the legendary Ice Empress, but a catastrophic Gate incident left her paralyzed, and her world turned upside down.

By a strange twist of fate, these two forsaken souls were forced into an arranged marriage, only to be abandoned by the very families who had made the bargain.

But fate had other plans.

On the very night of their arranged wedding, Soren awakened a power unlike anything the world had ever seen: the Investment Authority.

It rewarded every sacrifice, every risk, and every act of care. And Ethea, the woman the world had given up on, became the center of it all.

Risk his life to save hers? Get Supreme Grade returns. Help her cultivate again? Gain an equal amount of experience immediately. Cook and feed her? Become the world’s most skilled chef.

But the more Soren learns, the more he begins to realize their marriage wasn't just a simple arrangement. There are secrets buried beneath it, forces moving in the shadows, and truths neither of them were ever meant to uncover.

Will he be strong enough to protect her when the real enemy finally shows itself? Will Ethea manage to recover her powers? And what price will he have to pay for the greatest investment of all?
_______ _____ _

Author's Note: Hey everyone! This is my first time writing in this genre, so please go easy on me. Furthermore, this is purely a work of imagination. Any similarities to real persons or events are coincidental. I'm here to have fun and, hopefully, entertain you along the way.

If you enjoy the story, please add it to your library and throw some power stones and golden tickets my way. Comments and feedback are always welcome.

Extra Tags:

#ArrangedMarriage #ContractMarriage #HiddenPower #Awakening #IceEmpress #CrippledFemaleLead #MaleLeadGrowth #PowerCouple #SlowBurnRomance #HealingTogether #Investing #Cultivation #AbandonedByFamilies #FromZeroToHero #EmotionalInvestment

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[Investment: You helped the target reach a breakthrough state by preparing specifically tailored food that stabilized her condition and provided the necessary foundation for advancement.]


[Thanks to your actions, the target successfully entered the breakthrough state, advanced to the 6th Circle, and is now immensely grateful for your help...]


[Evaluating investment significance...]


[Applying Authority Modifier: Amplification (Passive) — Baseline bonus applied. Reward tier scaling upgraded.]


Chapter 363 - Another Game