Chapter 2 Wants Her Bride Price

Everyone knew the Zechman family was an elite powerhouse, their wealth rivaling nations! The bride price they sent was incredibly valuable. Even though it hadn't been fully inventoried, it was clear that the worth exceeded hundreds of millions. In the past, the Seavers family would never have been able to associate with a family like the Zechmans. However, the Seavers patriarch and the Zechman patriarch, Elijah Seavers and Arthur Zechman were once comrades-in-arms, having faced life-and-death situations together. They had verbally arranged a marriage between their families. Originally, the Seavers family had planned to propose the match for Chloe, intending to marry her into the Zechman family. But then they heard the news that the Zechman family head was gravely ill, rumored to have little time left to live. There was no way they would let Chloe marry into the family to become a widow. Coincidentally, seven months ago, the Seavers family had just found their biological daughter, Gabrielle, who had been lost for years. This was the perfect opportunity to make use of her. As long as she married into the Zechman family, even if she became a widow, it would still benefit the Seavers family. They wouldn't offend the Zechmans either. It was killing two birds with one stone. After some consideration, they decided to push Gabrielle into the marriage instead. “What am I doing? Of course, I'm taking what's mine!” Gabrielle raised her eyebrows, her eyes brimming with amusement. Seeing the Seavers family members seething with anger, wanting to rush forward but hesitating because of the Zechman bodyguards present, she felt an immense sense of satisfaction. “What? Were you planning to keep it for yourselves? Or are you eyeing the gifts sent by the Zechman family?” Gabrielle feigned confusion, adding mockingly, “Oh, I get it. You're looking down on the Zechman family and trying to bully me.” Her words immediately made all the bodyguards, who were in the middle of moving items, turn their heads and look at the Seavers family members. Marilyn's face turned ashen. Her heavily made-up features twisted, and hatred practically oozed from her eyes. Gritting her teeth, she said, “If it's from the Zechman family and meant for you, then take it.” “Move them, hurry up! Take them all away!” Gabrielle commanded, waving her hand decisively. The bodyguards obeyed, swiftly carrying all ninety-nine boxes of bride price gifts back onto the vehicles. Someone was murmuring a count under their breath, “Three boxes of cash, each containing ten million in Clusian currency.” “Two boxes of gold, diamond, and jewelry—one hundred and ninety-nine pieces in total.” “Six Sapphire Bay property deeds—in one small box.” “Eleven luxury car keys—another small box.” Chloe clenched her fists as she listened to the inventory being read out. The jealousy in her eyes was nearly bursting forth, and her nails dug into her palms so hard it hurt. How dare Gabrielle take everything? Those are supposed to be mine. I didn't want to marry, but I never said I didn't want the bride price. And yet, Gabrielle is taking it all without leaving a single item behind. How could she? “Gabrielle, aren't you afraid of being ridiculed?” Marilyn took half a step forward, her hands trembling with rage. They had initially estimated the bride price to be worth over one hundred million, but hearing the detailed inventory just now, it was clearly far beyond that! The Sapphire Bay properties alone were worth at least fifty million each. “My husband sent those things to me. Others will envy me. They won't ridicule me. Mrs. Seavers, are you jealous?” Gabrielle stood there, laughing softly, but her eyes held no trace of humor. Looking at the familiar faces of the Seavers family, she felt no anger in her heart, only a growing sense of calm. She had already died once. Now that she had been reincarnated, she was determined to cut all ties with these people. All the debts owed to her in the past, she would reclaim them one by one. “Move the items! I'm marrying into the Zechman family, so naturally, these things belong to me. Is there a problem with me taking them?” Gabrielle's voice was soft, yet it carried a biting coldness. Her almond-shaped eyes swept coldly over the crowd before settling on Chloe. Gabrielle took a step forward, making Chloe instinctively step back in a panic. Chloe's gaze, however, was fixated on the bride price gifts, her jealousy spilling out as tears rolled down her face. She had only meant for Gabrielle to marry in her place, not to take everything. “Gabrielle, how can you upset Mom like this? If you take all these things, what will the Zechman family think of us?” Chloe bit her lip, her voice soft and sweet. Even though her voice was gentle, her fingers were digging hard into her palms as she tried to suppress her fury. “And who are you? A mere adopted daughter, and you think you can question me? Besides, how the Zechman family views you has nothing to do with me.” Gabrielle sneered. She pinched Chloe's chin with her fingers, leaning in close to whisper coldly, “Jealous, aren't you? You little b*tch.” The insult stunned Chloe. Her eyes bulged with fury, but with outsiders present, she couldn't retaliate. She could only stomp her foot in frustration. “Hey!” Chloe's chest heaved with anger. “Gabrielle, are you bullying Chloe again?” Benjamin rushed forward, pulling Chloe back. Gabrielle's lips curled into a faint smile. She glanced at them with raised eyebrows, then turned and strode away, tossing the house keys onto the floor with a loud clack. “Yes, I'm bullying her. What can you do about it? Why don't she marry instead?” Gabrielle turned back, her ponytail swinging sharply in the air as she laughed coldly. Her words left the entire Seavers family breathless with anger. They were furious but didn't dare to lash out. They could only watch helplessly as all the bride price gifts sent by the Zechman family were loaded back onto the vehicles and taken away. The treasure they had been so close to claiming was gone. “How dare she! How dare she!” Marilyn's body trembled as she watched the dowry, worth hundreds of millions, vanish from sight. She tried to rush out, but Chloe grabbed her wrist to stop her. “Mom, Gabrielle is just angry with you! Once she calms down, she'll definitely bring the items back,” Chloe said hurriedly. When Gabrielle had said, “Why don't she marry?” Chloe had been utterly terrified. Everyone in Drocver knew that the Zechman family head was on the verge of death. The hospital had already issued a critical condition notice, saying he wouldn't survive the month and advising the family to prepare for his funeral. Years ago, when the Zechman and Seavers families were close, they had discussed a potential marriage alliance. Now that the Zechman family head was dying, the family wanted to hold a marriage to bring good luck to him. Since he was so close to death, they even skipped the wedding ceremony. Today, the Zechman family sent over the bride price and intended to take the bride directly. Judging by the situation, the family head probably wouldn't last a month. To protect Chloe, the Seavers family had decided to push their recently found daughter, Gabrielle, into the role. After all, she had been missing for over a decade, and there wasn't much emotional attachment. Once the Zechman family head passed, they could bring Gabrielle back. This way, they wouldn't offend the Zechman family and wouldn't draw any public criticism. It was truly a win-win solution. “She actually dares to challenge us. Looks like we need to teach her a lesson to remind her who's in charge,” Zachary said coldly. Felix chuckled mockingly. “Once that man dies, we'll bring her back and give her a good punishment. Let's see if she still dares to mess with Chloe.” Despite their words, as they watched Gabrielle get into the car without looking back, a sudden gust of wind swept through, chilling the air and filling them with an inexplicable sense of unease. Gabrielle settled into the car, and the driver pulled away. As she looked into the rearview mirror, she saw the Seavers residence cloaked in dark clouds, as if about to be swallowed whole. “Hah.” She let out a low, cold laugh and slowly closed her eyes. Images from her past life surged in her mind. The unbearable memories replayed over and over. Those she had once trusted the most had stripped her, recorded videos, and used them to coerce her into marrying in their place, all to exploit her for their own gain in the Zechman family.