Chapter 10
D
The Gray family’s bloodline was perilously thin–across eighteen generations, they had produced only a single heir.”
My father adopted three girls and made it clear that the family fortune would be passed down to his grandson once one of them bore a child.
Everyone believed that the children born to the three potential brides my father had chosen for me would be the true heirs. Yet, none of them ever looked at me.
I had loved Sherina for years, but all I received were countless disdainful glances from her.
I thought she was just cold by nature, distant from all men. But then I saw her, leaning in the arms of the driver’s son, Warren.
“I promised to marry him only to repay the Gray family for raising me. Once I bear the heir to the Gray family, I will divorce him and marry you. As long as Calum doesn’t harm you, I’ll give him a few million to live lavishly abroad,” she solemnly vowed.
“You are the only man in my heart.“}
The night before the shareholder meeting, my father asked me who I would choose.}
I remembered the evasive glances of the three girls and smiled as I replied, “After all, I am the heir of the Gray family. When it comes to marriage, I must maximize the benefits.”
“Let it be Meredith from the capital.”}
My father furrowed his brows and asked, “Meredith was paralyzed in a car accident five years ago. She not only has impaired legs but also cannot bear children. Are you sure?“}
-D
Nodding, I spoke softly yet firmly. “In our class, there’s no such thing as true love. Since everything is about benefits, I will naturally choose the one with the greatest advantage, the Hoffman family.”
My father’s face grew serious. “That’s what you say, but didn’t you find anything appealing in the three I selected for you?“} Dad deeply loved my mother, but she passed away from a brain hemorrhage the year I was born.”
Unable to accept remarrying, yet knowing that I had never been passionate about love, he feared that I would abandon the Gray family’s future.”
So, he listened to the advice of a close friend and adopted three orphaned girls.
He set up a will early, stipulating that no matter which of the three I chose, she would share control of the company with me, suppressing the other board members.
Sighing, I looked at my father. “Although Meredith is paralyzed and cannot bear children, she can still have a child through egg retrieval and IVF. She is the only heir to the Hoffman family. Instead of picking an orphan to support the Gray family, it’s better to choose a strong ally.”
My father nodded. “Since the three of them couldn’t keep your heart, there’s no need for them to stay in the Gray family.“>
If I had only said that it was because Sherina didn’t love me, and I didn’t want to force her, my father would have likely ordered Sherina to kneel before me and demand an explanation.}
What right did a foster daughter have to reject me?‘}}
I didn’t want my father to use his years of kindness to coerce Sherina, nor did I want to force her to marry me, especially not to form a marriage full of resentment.”
Moreover, the things Sherina had said had thoroughly chilled my heart.”
Leaving peacefully was the greatest mercy I could offer.”
As I left the office, Dad gave Sherina a sideways glance.
After politely sending my father off, Sherina turned to me, frowning. “What petty report did you file this time?“}]
Her eyes were full of disgust and impatience, as if I had committed some unforgivable crime.}
Before I could speak, Cherry laughed derisively. “Is it just those words?”
“It’s nothing more than saying the three of us aren’t chasing after him like loyal dogs.”
Mariah also sneered. “I say, Calum, the American Dynasty has long fallen. Do you still think a few dirty coins can make you king and have everyone revolve around you?”
The three of them were united in their hostility, using sharp words to sting me.”
“If none of you want to marry me, then why hasn’t anyone had the courage to speak to my father?” I asked, puzzled.
Even though my father had hoped to cultivate feelings between me and one of them, to form a marriage, he never forced it.
11:04 AM
