Chapter 9
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On the night of my birthday banquet, all the celebrities in Washington gathered here.
I performed one of my signature violin pieces on stage. After the piece ended, applause erupted from the audience below.
A man exclaimed, “Is she really the daughter of Washington’s Brooks family? She looks like a movie star. I feel like she could make it in the entertainment industry.”
A woman said, “But didn’t her fiancé just pass away recently? Why does she seem to be in such good spirits?”
Another man said, “I saw a video of her crying during an interview—she cried like an angel, it was heartbreaking to
watch.”
The live comments in front of me were filled with confusion. [Why do the supporting characters in this book talk so awkwardly?]
[Probably because we can only see the text, not the visuals, so we can’t feel that kind of impact.]
[But I have to say, Chloe is so outstanding, Theodore really didn’t deserve her.]
After stepping down from the stage, I spotted Gabriel in the
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crowd.
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I hadn’t sent him an invitation at all–I had no idea how he’d managed to get in.
He waved at me and said, “Chloe.”
I walked over and said coldly, “From now on, don’t act so familiar with me. After all, I never actually married your friend Theodore.”
“Alright.” He scratched his head and said, “When we were going through Theodore’s belongings yesterday, we found that he had prepared a birthday gift for you long ago. I wanted to give it to you on his behalf.”
With that, he handed me an exquisite gift box.
A small card was attached to the box, reading: [To my dear wife Chloe.]
I could tell from the handwriting that this wasn’t written by Theodore.
[Oh no. Chloe won’t get all emotional seeing this, will she?]
[Going through belongings? He’s talking like it’s real. Actually, Theodore just had him buy this gift last night.]
“I see. Just put it over there.” I looked away indifferently, not
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taking it, and pointed him toward a direction.
There sat countless gifts piled up.
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Gabriel was stunned and asked, “Aren’t you going to open it and take a look?”
I said coldly, “I have too many gifts, no time.”
Seeing me walk away, he reported the situation in detail to Theodore: [Theodore, Chloe doesn’t seem interested in your gift.]
Theodore replied: [Are you out of your mind? Chloe is very sentimental. If she opened this gift, she wouldn’t be able to control her tears. In front of so many people, she’d be embarrassed.]
Gabriel: [Got it. You really understand her.]
Gabriel: [But I heard that while this banquet appears to be celebrating Chloe’s birthday, it’s actually the Brooks family looking for marriage prospects. Theodore, maybe you should come back early? There are so many excellent young men here.]
Theodore: [Nonsense! What she hates most is this kind of arranged marriage. No matter how outstanding these men are, it’s useless.]
Theodore: [I’ll be back at the end of the month. The woman
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beside me is too clingy, so I can’t return carly.]
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Seeing his determination, Gabriel felt there was no need to be so anxious, so he said nothing more.
The venue was bustling with noise as many people came to wish me a happy birthday.
Elena said earnestly, “You’re our only daughter. In the future, we’ll definitely hand over our company for you to manage.”
She took my arm and walked toward a direction. “Sweetheart, Alexander is back in the country. I know you don’t like him, but the Thompson family after all…”
I said, “If he’s willing, I have no objections.”
My straightforward agreement actually stunned Elena, who had been treading carefully.
I admit, my previous thinking was indeed somewhat naive.
True feelings are fleeting, but interests are eternal.
My comfortable life these past twenty–some years has all been thanks to the Brooks family’s solid enterprise.
It’s just that the Brooks family business has been impacted by emerging forces these past two years–several projects that used to be easily secured have now been snatched away. If we’re
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talking about exchanging interests and forming strong alliances, the Thompson family is our best choice.
As for feelings and such, they’re not that important compared to these things.
[Is this how rich families arrange blind dates? I want to go back to the countryside.]
[Wouldn’t it be better for Chloe to live independently? Why does she need to get married, to have an arranged marriage?]
[I think marriage is fine. Since all men are pretty much the same, why not choose one who’s wealthy and powerful, and can help her family’s business? Besides, Alexander is very handsome. In the original plot, he didn’t mess around with women, has no major flaws, and could be a loyal partner after marriage. Isn’t it good that Chloe can use him?]
In the distance, Alexander wore a perfectly tailored haute couture suit with his collar slightly open, looking every bit the refined gentleman.
His grandfather Charles Thompson stood beside him, saying something to him. Then the two of them walked toward me.
Alexander smiled at me and said, “Happy birthday, Chloe.”
I clinked glasses with him. “Thank you.”
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After both families finished their pleasantries, Charles said with a smile, “You two young people should get to know each other better.”
In the hotel’s sky garden, Alexander and I walked together alone, discussing the arranged marriage.
He said, “If you’re unwilling, you can refuse.”
[She can refuse? If she refuses, you might secretly go crazy when you get home tonight.]
[You’re right. Who was it that cried for three days and nights after seeing Chloe accept someone else’s confession?]
My heart trembled slightly.
Then I smiled at Alexander, extended my hand, and said, “No, I’m quite willing. Here’s to a pleasant cooperation.”
He lowered his head and took my hand.
The next second, I was gently pulled into his embrace by my wrist.
Intense camera shutters sounded behind us. I heard him say softly in my ear, “If we’re going to cooperate, then we need to appear intimate.”
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I accepted an arranged marriage after…
Chapter 10
