"Miss, the people from the bank are here."
Hilla Holt nodded her head chanically. She sat there, bathing under the light of the crystal chandelier, as she took a good look at the house that sheltered her for the past twenty years.
It was announced that the Holt family went bankrupt three days ago.
The Holts had established themselves as a family selling Chinese Hemlock for more than hundreds of years. But after her father went missing and her mother killed herself, everything ca crashing down.
Phill Fjord, the old butler of the household, ca down from the second floor with her luggage in hand. That was the last day he would be with the Holt family.
All the hired servants were dismissed, and Hilla was left alone.
She lived there for more than ten years and now, the Holt family was no more. She had nowhere else to go.
Rainwater from last night dripped from the grape tree leaves. The cold wind of August invaded her body as she left the house through the front door. It was cold and icy.
Hilla Holt pulled the luggage behind her. She straightened her back as much as she could, not daring to turn back to look at the house once more.
There were officers from the bank waiting outside the gate. Hilla went to them and signed a few docunts. She could not help but asked, "When will this house be auctioned?"
The officers from the bank looked at the beautiful woman, surprised, before they cald down and said, "It should be in half a year’s ti."
"Rumor has it that the house costs more than thirty million dollars. Miss Holt, I fear that you won’t even have enough money to buy even a cup of coffee."
That taunt ca from a sports car parked at the side of the road. Hilla turned and looked coldly at the two figures walking toward her. When Patrick Palmore looked at Hilla, his eyes lit up. He felt a sharp pang from within his heart.
No matter how devoid of emotion she was, her beauty was so unprecedented that even then, he was still bedazzled.
The Holts were famous for their two daughters. The elder sister was elegant and charming, the younger sister tender and beautiful. Hilla Holt was undoubtedly New Island’ most beautiful woman.
Many n threw themselves at her, including Patrick Palmore. However, after three years, nothing even ca close to fruition, not even a glance at his general direction.
Naturally, the downfall of the Holts brought him impalpable glee more than anyone
else.
Hilla could not be bothered by the likes of him as she turned away and walked.
"You do realize that you’re now worse than a hobo under the bridge. Why are you still being so arrogant?"
Cersei Cornel had her arms wrapped around the man, and she was filled with hatred.
She too, ca from a rich family. She was the pearl of the Cornel family. However, the Holt sisters cast a shadow so large that she was completely blanketed over. Be it on campus or in public, everyone only had eyes for the Holt sisters. Their mouths, their lips, spoke more of Hilla Holt.
This ti, she wanted to witness it for herself of who and what will be of Hilla without the Holts. How could she still be the most beautiful woman in New Island then
"Everything the Holts own was repossessed by the bank. It is a pity to see you alone like this. Co with , save yourself from spending the night on the street."
Patrick Palmore’s eyes lit up. He was never able to look away from the woman across him the mont his eyes landed on her.
No matter how many tis Cersei tried to pull and tug him, Patrick Palmore’s eyes were still glued to Hilla Holt.
There was a ti where a woman beca so beautiful that she would entice a man. Patrick Palmore felt that his heart was taken by the woman in front of him. Even when she, Hilla Holt, was rely standing still, she still managed to make his heart surge.
He could not hold himself back. He reached out and tried to touch Hilla’s face. But while his hand was still in midair, a tender hand grabbed his wrist.
Hilla rely put in a little bit of force and Patrick imdiately howled in pain as he fell to the floor.
"How could you hurt him?! I’m going to call the cops!"
"Do what you want," Hilla spat the words and left toward the end of the road. She did not have the mood to listen to what Cersei said behind her either.
Half an hour later, Hilla picked up a call.
"We are very serious. Please consider it, Miss Holt."
Hilla smiled. The mole under her eye made her look even more enchanting. Without hesitation, she answered, "Yes. I will."
In no ti at all, her phone received information about an address that was not far from the Holt mansion.
Soone wanted her to be their daughter-in-law, and she agreed to be married!
...
The setup of the Anderson mansion was about the sa as the Holt mansion, but it was twice as large as the Holt mansion.
Hilla blinked for a while before she pressed the doorbell. Soone ca out in no ti at all to welco her into the house.
The wheels of the luggage rolled over the long stone pavent, creating a sound that was dull but abrupt, and it did not fit into the quiet and elegant courtyard.
When Hilla was in front of the door, the servant retreated. Now, soone else ca to her to welco her in.
A couple sat in the house; an old man with hair gray with age and an elegant madam. When they saw Hilla Holt, the madam looked at her with surprise. Even though she had seen her in pictures, she had not expected her to be this beautiful in person.
Such beautiful won... were usually hard to keep!
"You’re Hilla?" Orlenna Organa asked without a change in expression.
Hilla nodded and politely greeted her, "Greetings, Mr. Anderson, Madam Anderson."
Her mannerism was perfect, she was elegant, and she acted appropriately. All in all, she was a girl who could act befitting of her person, and she was soone who was qualified to be her daughter-in-law. But unfortunately...
"We need to elaborate on the situation about Bruce."
"I am inford about Mr. Bruce Anderson’s condition. He was in an accident half a year ago and has yet to wake."
In short, the person she was to be wedded to was a comatose man who might never wake up. Being married to him would reduce her to being a widow with a living husband.
With just a few simple words, she managed to avoid saying a lot of harsh words about Bruce Anderson, Orlenna Organa felt at ease yet worried at the sa ti. Just as she was about to speak, Hilla Holt said softly and gently, "I’m willing to do it."
She agreed to it so easily. It was both an expected yet surprising answer.
The news about the Holts was heard by all in New Island, and that was the reason why they had thought of marrying Hilla Holt into the Anderson family.
This was a rich man’s daughter who had fallen from grace. With no one providing help and support, she was in dire need of all the help she could get. For the Andersons, Hilla Holt was soone who could not be more suitable for their cause.
"Miss Holt, please know that we, the Andersons, will fulfil any wishes that you might have."
"I want the Holt’s mansion."
Who would be willing to be married to a comatose person without having a prior motive?
The Andersons knew she would have sothing she wanted. That is why they acted quickly to get her married to Bruce Anderson. After all, those with motives were the ones who were the easiest to control.
Orlenna Organa turned to the old man next to her. He had remained silent since the start of the entire exchange. However, his silence also explained everything.
"Very well. If the bank does put the Holt mansion on auction, rest assured that the Andersons will make sure to get it."
Hilla Holt nodded and politely replied, "You have my thanks."
Trades with no emotions involved were the best deals. Hilla Holt was extrely pleased with this marriage arrangent.
Being married to a husband who might never wake up as an exchange for repossessing her own house and a lifeti of luxury as Mrs. Anderson was a worthwhile trade. The only downside was that she would end up being married instead of remaining a free person.
"I want to sign a contract. I want the ownership of the Holt mansion to be transferred to ."
Orlenna Organa nodded. "I will have soone to prepare the docunts."
She then turned and asked Hilla," When will the wedding be?"
"The sooner, the better. I will follow whatever the family arranges. I do not have any requests."
"Well... Father, tomorrow is a good day since..."
When Orlenna saw how her father nodded, the weight on her shoulders was lifted imdiately.
’Tomorrow’s the wedding?’
Hilla was shocked. To think that the Andersons were more desperate than her. Was it because Bruce Anderson was going to die?
Were they simply marrying her to Bruce Anderson to counteract his bad luck?
Hilla was delighted. Knowing that the Anderson family was wealthy, even if Bruce Anderson died, Hilla just needed to be good, and Orlenna Organa would not tornt her.
The world had always been kinder to the beautiful, even people like Patrick Palmore were kind to her, even though he had ulterior motives.
And Hilla Holt thought that it was really great that she could stay in the Anderson family and live out her days!
Reviews
All reviews (0)