y pale face instantly lost the last trace of color. This was neither a favor nor a temporary expedient

n dollars? Her voice was

y operated the wheelchair, bringing the two closer together. As he drew near

cerning desk and pushed it toward her. "Linwood Pow

aken from his hands-and below was Richard Linwood's powerful signature. The world seemed to tilt at

wish before passing was to see me start a family. The Linwood family needed an investment to avoid bankruptcy. A fair deal, isn't it? He paused, his cold gaze pinn

knocking sounded especially harsh in the deathly silent room. This gesture

by a raging rage burning in his ch

it a try. He let the silence float in the air for a moment before adding in a calm and resolute tone, "The moment you step out of this estate, the Linwood family's credit line will

se books were her only weakness, and the only bargaining chip they used t

d obedient, until my grandmother passed away. After that, you get a sum of money, the contract ends, and you completely dis

s welled up deep in her eyes, but she gritted her teeth, det

. The Linwood family was not just afraid of her marrying a disabled man; they simply hoped she would die here. The Norton family is a vast dynasty, making a trivial and annoying orphan disappear silently is

but it had already condensed into

truly examined this man. He is a monster, a prisoner, but at the same time, he is her only hope. She had to stay. S

rm inside her. When she spoke again, her voi

to a calm participant, which seems to surprise D

chin lifted high:

to find a crack in her disguised composure. But he found nothing. He presse

berately and insultingly emphasizing the pronunciations of "Miss" and