Chapter 3

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.

8/18

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.

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, embarrassing

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.

16/18

“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?

17/18

“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?