Chapter 3 Marry Her To A Cripple

Julian reached out and took over Annalise’s credit card and purse. Stuffing the card back into the purse, he said, “This is ridiculous. We’re getting married, but you’re paying for your own ring?” “Well, it’s a fake marriage anyway-” “No, you’re wrong. We must appear as a real couple in this three-month period at all times,” Julian replied. “But this ring is too expensive.” Although Annalise agreed with what he said, she still wanted to pay for her own ring. “You can pay me back on the day of our divorce,” Julian suggested. “All right,” she agreed. That much was fine. After Julian paid for the rings, the two of them searched for a restaurant to have their meal. Julian selected a restaurant for couples. After they were seated, Julian introduced himself, “I’m twenty-six years old this year, and I’ve never been in a relationship. I don’t have any bad habits. I like to work and enjoy sports. Is there anything else you wish to know?” “No, that’s all. I’m twenty years old, and I’ve been in relationships before. Other than liking to sleep in, I don’t have any bad habits. Currently, I don’t have a fixed job. However, I do some odd jobs here and there,” Annalise said. “It’s not exactly a lie. My mentors do make me perform odd jobs for them all the time,” she mused. When their dishes were served, Julian peeled the shrimp before placing it onto Annalise’s plate. Annalise immediately waved her hands. “No, it’s okay. You should eat it. I can peel it myself.” “Just eat it. In the future, I’ll peel anything that needs peeling for you,” Julian said. Annalise’s heart clenched suddenly. It hurt so much that even her breathing grew heavy. Once, Benjamin had said the same thing to her. “Anna, you’re a girl. Leave the messy work of peeling the shrimps to me,” he had said. Alas, all that was merely a sham, as Benjamin had only been after the shares her mother had left her. “What are you thinking about?” asked Julian, sensing Annalise’s disquiet. “Nothing. Let’s eat!” Annalise came back to her senses swiftly and forced a smile. “Everyone’s bound to encounter scumbags like Benjamin in their lifetime. Now that I know him for who he really is, then everything’s going to be fine. Most importantly, I’ve cut my losses. From now on, I must live well and be the best version of myself!” she vowed internally. At the Barton residence, Kent ordered the housekeeper to tidy up the place, as the Parks family was coming over the next day.. “Dad, why are you so enthusiastic about this? I’m not going to marry into the Parks family! Not only is their eldest son already fifty-two years old, but he’s also a cripple who doesn’t hold a position of importance in the family,” Abigail complained as she sat on the couch while propping her chin on her hand. Abigail’s mother, Bethany Langdon, sat down beside Abigail and took her hand. Smiling at her daughter dotingly, she said, “Silly girl. Of course, you won’t be marrying their eldest son who is over fifty years old.” Abigail rolled her eyes as she pouted. “Then, why are you making their visit such a big deal?” “The Parks family is extremely prominent. They are one of the four prestigious families in Jadeborough. If we can establish a relationship with such an affluent family, surely we will be able to reap a lot of benefits,” Bethany explained. Rolling her eyes again, Abigail said, “Their eldest son isn’t in charge of the family, though.” “What do you know? As useless as he is, he’s still a direct descendant of the family. He holds great importance in the Parks family as long as the head of the family is still alive. Old Mr. Parks will come over personally tomorrow, Kent explained. “Then, why don’t you marry Annalise to their family?” Abigail suggested disdainfully. Bethany smiled. Seeing that her daughter was finally getting the point, she replied, “That’s what we’re planning to do. This is a rare opportunity to become affiliated with the Parks family. Forget the fact the eldest son is fifty-two years old. Even if he’s eighty-two years old, we would still find someone from our family to marry him.” As soon as she heard that Annalise was the one who would be getting married, Abigail chuckled. After a moment of thought, she added, “Mom, Annalise isn’t as docile as she appears to be.” “If she wants to get ahold of the shares her mother left her, then she will have to do as she is told,” Kent remarked firmly. Bethany laughed as she advised, “Hubby, Annalise should be returning soon. Don’t use that stern expression on her and coax her properly. She’s open to persuasion, not coercion.” “Agreed! Annalise is more amenable to coaxing,” Abigail added. “All right, I got it!” Kent replied. Frowning, he muttered, “If I had known she was the type to hold a grudge, I would have brought her back before she knew any better.” Annalise returned home around eight o’clock in the evening. Abigail had assumed Annalise had gone to get drunk and was lying in wait to taunt the latter. However, Annalise appeared to be calm and relaxed when she returned. She did not look the slightest bit upset. Abigail pursed her lips. Seeing Annalise coming in, Bethany instantly shot a meaningful look at Kent. “Anna, you’re home!” Kent smiled widely. “Yes, Uncle Kent,” answered Annalise coldly with a nod. She had been sent to live in the countryside by Kent when she was six years old. The relatives she stayed with mistreated her, often scolding and beating her. They would also frequently. starve her or feed her only leftovers. When she fell ill, they refused to bring her to the doctor. Some of them even pointed at her, saying, “Your mother is dead, and your uncle doesn’t want to take care of you. I’m not going to feed you for free. If you want food, then you will work for it!” If Annalise had not met her mentors, she likely would not have survived. Her uncle finally brought her back the previous year. Annalise had been reluctant to return. However, the lawyers came to her and told her that her mother had left her 70% of shares in Moonlight Group, which Kent currently ran. However, the condition was that she could only inherit the shares after turning twenty. Annalise was stunned and furious when she learned of it. Her mother passed away when she was only three years old. Annalise was given to her uncle, Kent, to be taken care of, while the latter was also given Annalise’s mother’s shares as a reward. It was not as if he had accepted anything in return. However, instead of taking care of her, Kent had sent her to the countryside and left her to fend for herself when she was six years old. Prior to this, she held no animosity toward her uncle. She often told herself to find inner peace, and that she should put herself in her uncle’s shoes. It wasn’t his fault her mother had passed away, and he was under no obligation to care for her. That ended when she learned that Moonlight Group was her mother’s asset, and any shred of affection she felt for her uncle vanished. Then she returned with Kent to the Barton residence. Kent and his family treated her weli the entire year she was with them. Still, she was unable to feel anything toward them and only maintained a superficial facade of harmony when she interacted with them. After Annalise turned twenty the previous month, she brought up the matter of the shares with Kent. He told her that the company was currently undergoing a critical period and that they would discuss the matter again in a year. Annalise knew Kent was unwilling to turn over the company to her. After all, he had managed it for so many years, and the profits were flowing in. Obviously, he would be unwilling to let it all go. She had recorded their conversation when she discussed the matter of the shares with Kent. Since he said to wait for a year, she was going to wait. She was willing to try a peaceful solution first before resorting to drastic measures. “Anna, come sit! I have something to discuss with you,” Kent said enthusiastically. Annalise sat down on the couch in the living room. “Go ahead, Uncle Kent.” “Tomorrow morning, some people from the Parks family will come over. As you know, the Parks and the Bartons have a marriage agreement…