Chapter 4
The entire living room fell into stunned silence.
Skadi’s eyes widened in disbelief. Was Hera really trying to snatch her cousin’s fiancé? If this got out, how could she possibly continue working at the company?
“Nonsense!” Harrison’s face turned pale. He rushed forward, grabbing Hera’s arm to pull her back.
The Lewis family’s marriage contract was clear—it was meant to be Helena who married Nash. Harrison had his own reasons for wanting this union: if Helena married the scion of the wealthy Watson family, the Lewises’ company would receive a 1.5 billion investment, which would push it to the brink of going public. That investment would change everything for the family. If Hera married Nash instead, their chance of turning things around would be lost.
“I’m not being reckless. Helena said we should marry whomever we want! The Lewises have a marital contract to honor. We can’t just go back on our promises,” Hera responded firmly, shrugging off her father’s hand.
“You little—” Harrison’s face flushed with frustration. He raised his hand, wanting to slap some sense into his daughter. He was fighting for the family’s fortune—how could she not understand that?
“Harri, calm down for now,” Hubert interjected, his tone unexpectedly smooth. He’d been scheming to help his daughter avoid this situation, but now that Hera had taken the initiative, he wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip. A smile spread across his round face. “Hera is just thinking of Dad’s reputation. The marriage contract was your idea, after all. If my daughter marries into the Watson family, the Lewises will benefit greatly. And if your daughter marries Nash, you’ll keep your honor intact. This way, it’s a win-win, don’t you think?”
“I think Berty’s idea is excellent!” someone chimed in.
“Yes, I support Berty too!” another relative agreed.
“We’re all family. We should live in harmony,” someone else added.
Harrison’s face darkened even further. The marriage contract clearly stated that Helena should marry Nash, so why was everyone suddenly pushing for Hera to be the one?
Hera saw the reluctance on her father’s face and leaned in closer, pleading softly, “Dad, just trust me this one time. As long as I marry Nash, Grandpa will definitely support our family’s company.”
She believed in her instincts. Grandpa always seemed to tolerate Helena because of Nash. If she married him, surely their family would finally gain his favor.
Harrison looked at his daughter’s earnest eyes, his voice heavy with bitterness. “Rara, this isn’t just child’s play. It’s a lifelong decision that will affect your happiness.”
“Let our daughter choose her own happiness,” a new voice spoke up.
A woman in a long, elegant gown walked forward, exuding grace and authority. She took Hera’s hand gently. “I support your decision. You’re more capable of making this judgment than I ever was,” she said, her eyes shooting a pointed look at Harrison.
This woman was Hera’s mother. Once a beloved gem of a prestigious Jonford family, she had been abandoned by her relatives when she chose to marry Harrison. She had expected him to rise to success, but he had remained stagnant throughout most of their life. She saw something transcendent in Nash, and when Herman himself spoke so highly of him, she fully backed her daughter’s choice.
Harrison could sense the mockery in his wife’s tone. His thin face flushed crimson, but he was left speechless.
“My mom’s the best!” Hera beamed, hugging her mother’s arm in gratitude.
Herman, who had been silent until now, finally regained his composure. He slowly turned to Hubert and his daughter, his voice laced with resentment. “I gave you a chance, yet you two squandered it. You… you will regret this!”
Regret? Hubert couldn’t care less. The only thing he regretted was not seeing the absurdity of marrying his daughter off to someone from the mountains. He secretly scoffed but kept his tone even. “We’re just thinking about what’s best for the family. Since my niece has agreed to marry Nash, let’s consider the matter settled.” His voice carried an air of finality, as though he were the head of the household.
Herman, drained and defeated, looked at Nash with guilt in his eyes, his lips trembling. “Nashy… You see, this—”
Immediately, all eyes turned to Nash.
Hubert, seizing the moment, added with feigned casualness, “Hera manages a pharmaceutical company. It’s poorly managed, yes, and has seen losses for two consecutive quarters, but she still earns over 15,000 a month. If you marry her, at least you won’t have to worry about food and clothing.”
The implication was clear: Nash should know his place.
Nash’s face tightened, frustration flashing in his eyes. He had originally been meant to marry the eldest Lewis daughter, but now it seemed he was being pushed to marry Hera instead.
Sensing Nash’s hesitation, Herman spoke in a deep voice. “Nashy, don’t feel pressured. Just pick who you believe is right. No matter what, I’ll ensure you two get married—no matter what it takes.”
Nash glanced between the two women, his gaze lingering a moment longer on Hera, whose eyes were clear and filled with hope. Helena, on the other hand, looked at him with disdain, her expression cold and unwelcoming.
In terms of appearance, the two women were almost identical. Hera wore no makeup but still radiated natural beauty. But character—there was a vast difference between them.
Hera stared at Nash, her fist clenched, as though silently urging him to choose her.
Nash finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. “It’s difficult to disobey my master’s command. If it weren’t for this marriage contract, I might not have involved myself with the Lewises at all. But my master instructed me to regard you as my elder, Mr. Lewis. So, I’ll leave the decision to you.”
Nash had subtly given Herman the power to make the final call, respecting the older man’s authority and his master’s instructions.
Herman, observing Nash’s deference, knew the young man was both respectful and tactful. He also saw that Nash had paid closer attention to Hera than to Helena.
After a long silence, Herman finally made his choice. “Hera, you and Nash should go get your marriage certificate.”
A sense of relief swept over Hubert’s family. The weight of the engagement had been suffocating, and now it seemed like the situation was finally resolving itself.
On the other hand, Hera stood frozen, a mixture of emotions flooding her heart. She had feared Nash might choose Helena, but now that her grandfather had decided for her, she felt unexpectedly conflicted.
She had never been in a romantic relationship before. Now, there was suddenly a man in her life. How would they get along in the future? Was she marrying him for her own benefit, or was there more to this?
Herman wasn’t done yet. “In addition,” he continued, “I’ve bought a sea-view villa in Royal Bay. This will be Hera and Nash’s new home!”
Herman turned to a well-dressed young man, their family lawyer, and said, “Mr. Zoel, please make the necessary changes to the property deed.”
Mr. Zoel gave a half-smile, glancing at Hubert and Helena. “Of course, Mr. Lewis.”
“Royal Bay?” The relatives murmured among themselves. “The old man bought a house there?”
“Hubert’s going to lose out big time!” someone whispered.
Royal Bay was an exclusive area, owned by Royal Group, with prices starting at 50,000 per square meter. Even the least expensive villa was worth millions.
“Dad… When did you buy a house in Royal Bay?” Harrison’s face turned green. All the villas there had long been sold to the rich and powerful. With the family business struggling, Herman’s savings were barely enough to cover the purchase.
Helena’s face darkened. “Grandpa, the deed for that villa—there’s no need to change the name, right? It should be mine, right?”