Chapter 3
In any relationship, the party taking the initiative was
often seen as more lowly and desperate.
Therefore, upon seeing Emmanuel and his family at
her house, Milani Zimmerman wore an even haughtier
expression than when she was at the café.
Ha! I knew this loser wouldn’t be able to get over my
looks, so he’s come to badger me again!
Milani’s mother, Melody Claus, was just as smug when
she learned of the Lowe family’s intention.
“If your son wishes to marry my daughter, you’ll have
to give us a betrothal gift of five hundred thousand,”
she said as she raised her palm. “We won’t accept
anything less!”
Emmanuel’s heart instantly sank.
Oh, my goodness! Five hundred thousand? Is she
trying to sell her daughter?
Alessandra, however, gritted her teeth and nodded.
“T-That’s fine!”
As long as my son can get married, I’ll do anything to
make up for the betrothal gift, even if it means selling
the house!
how would she pay for the couple’s car and home?
“Sure. That’s no problem!” Roselynn piped up, even
going so far as to pull her brother back when she
realized he wanted to object.
She was just as eager for Emmanuel to start a family,
and at thirty years old, she had worked and saved up
enough to make the necessary down payments for
him.
Since Mom is settling the betrothal gift, I shall help
Emmanuel with the car and home!
“Lastly, he will bear all household expenses after the
wedding!” Milani suddenly said.
That, however, was the last straw for Emmanuel. “Are
you guys marrying off your daughter or selling her? I
don’t mind paying this much if she’s coming to work for
us as a housekeeper, but if she expects to be treated
like a princess or queen, you can forget it! I don’t need
that!”
“Look at your son! What’s with that attitude?” Milani
yelled. “We aren’t even married yet, and he’s already so
domineering. Wouldn’t it be worse down the road?”
“No, no, no… The marriage will work out. It’d work out
just fine!” Alessandra pleaded, desperate to finalize the
wedding.
I can’t wait any longer… I must fulfill my husband’s
dying wish by the end of the year!
Having seen how things were going, even Roselynn
knew she had to step in to persuade her mother.
“Mom! Stop forcing it!”
Manny’s right. There’s nothing wrong with giving a
betrothal gift, car, and house. However, asking him to
be the sole supporter of his family after the wedding is
too much! What about his wife, then? Why can’t she
chip in? Will she be sending her own money back to
her parents?
Just then, Milani’s younger brother, Jacob Zimmerman,
suddenly appeared with a cocky grin plastered on his
face. “Haha! Don’t forget about me, Milani! When it’s my
turn to get married, I’d be counting on you guys to buy
me my car and house too!”
Upon hearing that, Emmanuel instantly exploded with
rage.
“What the f*ck! Am I marrying your sister or your entire
family? I may as well support all of you!”
Even though Emmanuel had only meant that as an
Candy Crush Saga
Riches
angry remark, Milani decided to hold him to his word.
“Hah! You’d better remember what you just said! In
that case, I’ll leave you to plan and pay for the
wedding banquet and honeymoon. Don’t tell me you
can’t afford that…”
“Get lost! I’d rather marry a pig than a woman like
you!” Emmanuel retorted as the rage and ferocity he
used to experience on the battlefield came flooding
back.
He didn’t know what the Zimmermans were playing at,
but there was no doubt they were monsters.
“Look at yourself! You’re just an uncultured brute with
marriage! I’d rather marry a boar than you!” Milani
snapped back.
Given my qualities, I have no problem marrying a rich
man, so why should I settle for a pauper like
Emmanuel? I’m only too happy that he wants to fall
out with me!
After giving an exasperated laugh, Emmanuel stood up
and stormed off, leaving Alessandra and Roselynn with
no choice but to follow suit.
To their surprise, they had only just stepped out of the
Zimmerman residence when three luxury cars pulled
up in front of them.
The Zimmermans quickly popped out to see the
commotion and almost dropped their jaws when they
saw the car lineup.
Oh, d*mn! Those cars are worth tens of millions! What’s
going on? Since when were the Lowes that fancy?
Emmanuel, on the other contrary, seemed to recognize
one of the cars. Hmm… Didn’t I see that car outside the
café?
The next second, Terence stepped out of the car,
surrounded by his convoy of suited bodyguards.
He smiled as he approached Emmanuel and said
politely, “I’m here to return the favor, Mr. Lowe, after you
helped me outside the café!”
Needless to say, everyone was stunned.
Roselynn couldn’t hide her excitement and gripped her
brother’s arm tightly. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
Ah! Isn’t this like those rags-to-riches stories?
The more Emmanuel thought about it, the more he
frowned. Wow… Who knew this old geezer was a
millionaire? Could he have intentionally fallen at the
café?
Terence waved his hand, and within seconds, his
subordinates had unloaded several boxes of gifts.
Not only were there precious stones and jewelry, but
there were also famous paintings, antiques, and even
a Porsche key.
The total value of the items had to be at least ten
million.
For someone who earned a mere eighty thousand a
year, ten million was an eye-watering amount of
money that Emmanuel could only dream of!
Upon witnessing the scene, the Zimmerman family
almost collapsed in shock.
Milani might be a well-dressed woman, but the truth
was, her family was just like any other average family.
To them, ten million was undoubtedly an astronomical
sum!
Sh*t. If I had known Emmanuel would become a
multi-millionaire, I’d have married him straightaway!
After snapping out of her daze, she smiled and hastily
clutched Emmanuel’s arm.
“What’s the matter, darling? Oh, wow… You’re so kind to
help the elderly! I love that about you!”
“Who’s your darling?” Emmanuel asked, embarra*sing
Milani so much that she wanted to crawl into a hole.
As though that wasn’t enough, he brusquely pushed
her away and added, “Didn’t you just reject me? Why
are you still using honeyed words?”
“Uh… I-” Milani muttered, clearly at a loss for words.
Her family, too, was incredibly frustrated.
After all, they had just missed out on getting a wealthy
son-in-law!
Meanwhile, Alessandra was about to say something
when Roselynn tugged at her.
As much as I want Manny to start a family, I can’t let
him settle for the horrible Zimmermans! Besides, he’s
rich now! I’m sure he can find an even better woman!
“Mom, Roselynn, let’s go!” Emmanuel said before
ushering both women into the car.
He didn’t want to accept the gifts, especially since he
knew he hadn’t done anything to deserve them.
However, it wasn’t the time and place to discuss the
matter, so he decided to leave instead.
Once the Lowe family had left, a gust of cold wind
swept over the Zimmermans as they seethed silently.
“How could you have made such remarks earlier,
Milani? Do you think it’s easy to find a millionaire these
days?” Melody berated.
“W-What should I do now, then?”
In all honesty, Milani was at a complete loss. She had
gone on several blind dates to find a rich husband who
could give her a life of luxury.
Alas, who knew she’d let a multi-millionaire slip right
through her fingers?
“What else can we do? They’ve already come to our
place to ask for your hand in marriage. Can’t we do the
same?” Melody suggested.
Jacob, who was just as anxious, instantly exclaimed, “I
don’t care, Milani! You have to marry that
multi-millionaire! When my girlfriend and I get married,
you must give us a house and a luxury car! Otherwise,
I’ll disown you!”
“Okay, okay. I got it!” Milani replied with a long sigh.
Argh! Emmanuel and I left on such bad terms… Would
he still care about me?