Chapter 1
The night was deep in Lasville, somessia, but the lights in Murray Estate were still shining brightly
Robert Murray lay in bed. His body was growing weaker with each passing day. The chill of autumn had worsened his condition, causing him to cough up blood. Now, he leaned weakly against the bed as he gazed at the man in a tailored suit beside him. “Stephen, do you agree to do what I just asked of you?” Stephen Yates, 27 years old, was an orphan abandoned at a young age. He was later adopted by Robert and grew up alongside his granddaughter. After graduating, he joined Morty Group and became Robert’s trusted right–hand man as the company’s CEO.
Out of gratitude and loyalty, Stephen would never refuse Robert’s request. “I agree, Grandpa. I’ll marry Layla.
Layla Murray, 23, was the heiress of Murray Group. She was known throughout Somersia for her spoiled and headstrong nature,
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As the only child in the Murray family, she had been doted on by Robert to the point of becoming unruly.
Since graduating from college, Layla had done little but cause trouble, much to Robert’s dismay.
Stephen leaned back in his chair. As he thought about the lady who would soon become his wife, his eyes flashed. “But she doesn’t want to marry me.
Robert responded gravely, “As long as you agree, have my ways to make her agree to marry you.
Just then, the late–retuming Murray family heiress, Layla, had finally come home. With a delicate face and a slender figure, it was her bright eyes that drew the most attention
Raised like a princess, Layla had the grace to match, along with a spoiled tempet.
While swinging her bag and humming a tune, she entered the living room
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Alfred Weissman, the butler, had been waiting for her. “Ms. Murray, Mr. Murray Senior wants to see you.”
“Grandpa’s still awake? Staying up late isn’t good for his health. He doesn’t know how to take care of himself at all. He’s not young like us anymore” Layla quickly voiced her complaints about Robert.
The door to Robert’s room opened, revealing Layla’s adorable face. “Good evening, my dear grandpa.”
Layla was a master at charming people she had a face that could feel anyone and a way of speaking that left people disoriented.
Whenever Robert tried to scold her, she could always talk her way out of trouble with her “legendary speeches.” she’d make his anger vanish
“Come in”
As soon as Layla stepped into Robert’s mom and saw Stephra by his side, her mood soured instantly. She rolled her eyes discreetly.
Stephen was well aware that Layla was biased against him and was already bracing himself for her harsh words.
“Layla, I want you to marry Stephen,” Robert announced.
Layla fraze for three seconds. “What? Marry who?”
Robert coughed, then repeated,
* want you to marry Stephen.“”
“Absolutely not! Are you out of your mind, Grandpa? Sometimes I wonder if you’re actually his grandpa. You’ve already given him the CEO position, and now you want to give him your precious granddaughter too?
“Why don’t you just give yourself to him? If someone has to marry him, you should do it. I’m young and have my whole life ahead of me. There’s no way I’m marrying him.“‘
The furious Robert began coughing violently. “You think marrying Stephen is beneath you?
“With his status, he doesn’t deserve me,” Lata retorted haughtily, Herbeautiful face was full of disdain.
“I think it’s you who doesn’t deserve Stephen. In what way ace you better than him? He surpasses you in every aspect–academies, skills, and character. You’re the one who doesn’t measure up to him.”
Feeling insulted, Layla pointed at Stephen and snapped, “with his background, how could be ever be worthy of me? I’m the heiress of the Murray family, and he’s just an employee.”
Robert’s hands trembled with rage. He clutched his chest and coughed so hard he almost vomited.
Upon seeing that, Stephen quickly handed him a tiss
When Robert Cally pulled the tissue away, there was blood on it,
Seeing the bright red stains, Layla panicked. She realized the severity of the situation. Robert was all she had left in this world
She pushed Stephen aside and tossed her bag into his arms, stephen, who was accustomed to her actions, caught the bag effortlessly and held it with practiced ease. Layla sat on the bed. She patted Robert’s back as tears streamed down her face. “Don’t scale me like that, deandpa. The fortune teller said you’d live to be 103. Please don’t cough up blood”
As Robert continued to cough up blood, Layla started to cry harder. “What should I do? Grandpa, stop coughing up blood. I’m scared you’ll die. Please, Grandpa,
Alfred clamed in, “Ms. Murray, there’s an old saying that when someone is gravely, a joyous event in the family can ward off the bad luck!
Upon heating that, layla paused her crying, in a trary voice, she said, “-nut I’m afraid that if I find Grandpa a new partner, Grandma will ise tomber collin.”
Chapter T
Robert couldn’t hold back a laugh, which caused the fake blood to spray all over the floor. Some of it even splattered onto Stephen’s polished shoes.
Even Stephen, usually so composed, almost laughed at her words,
Robert looked at Layla. “It’s you marrying Stephen to ward off the bad luck, not me marrying a new wife.”
He might not die from his illness, but Layla might just drive him to his grave.
“Grandpa, I don’t want to sacrifice my happiness for you.” Layla sobbed.
Robert continued to cough.
For the next few days, Layla stayed by Robert’s side, not daring to leave. Every time she refused the marriage, Robert would start coughing up blood again, and once, he even fainted.
Finally, with a pout, Layla relented. “Fine, I’ll get married, just stop coughing up blood, Grandpa.”
After Layla agreed to the marriage, Robert’s health began to improve day by day.
Two months later, the wedding day arrived.
Layla sat in the bridal room. She was being attended to by the stylists. She rested her chin in her hands, looking annoyed at the thought of the man she was about to
many.
Ever since she was bom, there had been a boy five years older than her by her side, telling her what she could and couldn’t do.
Whenever Robert scolded her, he would say, “Layla, leam from Stephen. He was the top student in his school this year, while you came in last again.”
When they were kids, she would deliver love letters to him at school.
Layla’s resentment toward Stephen began in middle school when she realized that all her friends were only hanging out with her because of Stephen.
For various reasons,
reasons, she looked down on her husband–to–be, who had grown up in her house.
“The groom is here to fetch the bride! Throw the flower petals!”
At the entrance, lively shouts filled the air, followed by the blast of fireworks.
Stephen was warmly escorted into Murray Estate’s hall. He was holding a bouquet of roses as he made his way to the bridal room.
As he pushed open the door, a beam of light seemed to shine In, so bright that others had to shield their eyes, but Stephen couldn’t bear to look away.
There she was, standing at the foot of the bed in a white gown like a princess. She was the girl he had grown up with.
She was as strikingly beautiful as the most dazzling pearl in the world and more radiant than the roses in his hand. She was more enchanting than anything else.
Stephen’s grip tightened on the bouquet as he walked toward Layla, who was dressed in her wedding gown
Stephen was the most sought–after gentleman in Somersia. He was admired by all.
His chiseled face and deep–set eyes were captivating. Standing at six feet two inches, his frame seemed perfectly suited to protect Layla’s petite figure.
Women adored his looks, while men respected his skills.
People often said that Robert had great foresight as he had adopted this promising boy over 20 years ago.
Under Stephen’s leadership, Murray Group had reached new heights.
During the financial crisis that had bankrupted countless companies, Murray Group had not only survived but thrived. They became the wealthiest company in
Somersia
Everyone envied the fact that the best had been kept within the family.
In contrast, many believed that Layla didn’t deserve Stephen. She was a spoiled, troublesome lady with a difficult personality. How could stephen possibly many
her?
