-Chapter 8-
Lucas answered without hesitation, "Yes, of course I'm willing! My biggest wish in life is to marry you. Why would I ever say no?"
[What's going on with her? Isn't she supposed to be the unshakable ice queen, the kind of strong woman who wouldn't even blink if the sky fell? Why is she suddenly looking so vulnerable?]
[Could it be that she broke down because she can't be with David?]
Rose had just started to feel touched by his answer, but before even a second had passed, she heard his inner thoughts again.
Her feelings were instantly crushed, leaving only frustration.
This little jerk was still as two-faced as ever.
But it didn't matter. Even if he was only pretending, at least for now, he had to choose her unconditionally.
Otherwise, just like he said, his character would collapse.
With that leverage, Sylvia wouldn't be able to steal him away from her.
Meanwhile, after leaving the café, Sylvia finally managed to convince Ivan to come with her to a private hospital.
"I already told you I'm in great health. My heart's perfectly fine. Why won't you believe me? Even if you don't trust me, surely you trust Dr. Rossi? She ran tests on me just a few months ago."
Sylvia didn't think there would be anything wrong either, but with matters like this, it's better to be safe than sorry.
"Dad, I had a nightmare where you had heart disease. It scared me so badly I couldn't sleep or eat. Just think of this check-up as a way to help me rest easy."
Hearing this, Ivan sighed and obediently went to undergo a full range of tests.
Once all the tests were done, Sylvia anxiously sought out her father's attending physician, a beautiful young doctor of twenty-eight named Sofia Rossi.
"So? Are the results ready?"
Sofia waved the medical report in her hand. "The results are right here. I'm sure it's a false alarm. He was perfectly fine three months ago. Developing heart disease all of a sudden? I've been practicing medicine for almost ten years and haven't seen something like that happen."
She opened the report with a chuckle, ready to tease her, but suddenly froze.
"No way…"
She hurried to the desk and dialed a number.
"Are you sure there's no mistake in the report you just sent over? Double-check the sample."
A response came quickly: "Is this for Chairman Morgan's results? We were also shocked when we saw them, so we double-checked right away. Dr. Rossi, the results are accurate."
Sofia was speechless.
How could this be?
After a moment of shock, she turned to Sylvia. "Your father has indeed been diagnosed with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Fortunately, it's in the early stages and can be managed through diet and treatment. It won't be too serious, so don't worry."
What?!
Sylvia's mouth dropped open as she took a step back in disbelief.
That guy's inner voice was all true.
Which meant she really would entrust all her power and even her life to a man named David in the future?
No. She absolutely would not allow that to happen.
Her eyes filled with a murderous glint as she clenched her fists tightly.
If someone like that really existed in the world…
She would rather strike first and eliminate him before he could become a threat.
At that moment, David had no idea his fate had quietly shifted.
After settling scores with the relatives who had refused to properly bury his parents and had stolen their inheritance, he turned his attention to Lucas.
He didn't know why, but he felt like this man wasn't as simple as he appeared.
If he was really just some rich playboy simping after Rose like the rumors said, then why did Yelena treat him so differently?
That woman wasn't so easily fooled.
As he pondered these thoughts, his phone rang.
It was a call from one of his subordinates.
"God of War, we just got news that Ethan Kang has transferred the money to the West Coast and successfully smuggled himself out last night. His whereabouts are unknown, and the White family's funds are gone for good."
"Got it."
Looks like the White family was about to go bankrupt.
When that happened, Lucas would surely use it to pressure Rose into marrying him.
That would be his cue to swoop in and play the hero.
This time, he would show Rose not only that he could save her, but that he had the power to revive the entire White family.
That way, she wouldn't have to grovel before the Grey family and distance herself from him.
News of the White family being scammed by the KY Group quickly spread across Su City.
But strangely enough, the Grey family didn't take the opportunity to kick them while they were down or force Rose into marriage. Instead, it was the White family who took the initiative and asked Lucas to marry her.
In the Grey family villa's living room, Sebastian Grey looked at James White, who was kneeling in front of him, and sighed in exasperation.
"Master White, please get up. We can talk this out. There's no need to kneel. This isn't our first time doing business together, after all. No need to go this far."
Susanna helped James up and sighed. "It's not that we're looking down on you because of money, it's just that Luckie really doesn't like your daughter anymore. How about this? We can lend you some money to help you through this crisis, but let's drop the marriage."
Off to the side, Rose was stunned. "Lucas doesn't like me anymore? That's impossible. Auntie, unless he comes out and tells me himself, I won't believe it!"
"Fine. Since you won't believe it, I'll call him out to tell you in person."
If she had to choose a daughter-in-law, Susanna would rather pick Sylvia.
At least that girl was open, straightforward, and genuinely liked Lucas. Unlike Rose, who had always looked down on him.
She treated him like a dog, calling him when she needed him and pushing him away when she didn't.
At that moment, Lucas was lying in his room listening to music.
He had already decided that in order to prevent the plot from veering off course, he wouldn't step outside until the engagement day. So he had completely embraced the shut-in lifestyle.
Suddenly, the bedroom door was pushed open. He looked up from the bed and saw Susanna walk in. He immediately said, "Mom, I want to eat hairy crab. Can the kitchen make crab roe noodles for dinner?"
"Crab roe noodles, my foot. Get up, the White family is here to propose marriage. Rose is here too."
What?!
Lucas sat up in shock. "Propose marriage?"
"Yes, the White family is about to go bankrupt. Didn't you know? Hurry and come downstairs. You need to make it clear to Rose. Otherwise, they won't let you go."
[I know the White family is supposed to go bankrupt, but according to the plot, that wasn't supposed to happen for another four or five days. Why did it happen so fast?]
Still dazed, he took off his headphones and followed Susanna downstairs. Sure enough, he immediately saw James and Rose standing in the living room.
James looked refined and gentle, the type who probably liked calligraphy and antiques.
And he really was that type. He spent all day obsessed with antiques and ignored household matters. Whenever problems came up, he blamed Rose for being incompetent.
But in truth, the most useless one in the White family was him.
Rose wore a white dress, her long hair flowing down. On her fair cheek, there was a distinct red handprint—she had clearly been slapped by James.
Sigh, poor thing.
No wonder she looked like she was about to cry when he saw her two days ago at the café.
Having been swindled so badly by the KY Group, the White family had probably pinned all the blame on her. The past two days must have been rough for her.
Susanna gave Lucas a nudge and whispered, "Lukie, hurry up and tell them you don't like Rose anymore."
When she heard those words, Rose immediately turned and glared at Lucas.
Even if he truly did not like her, there was no way he would dare show it.
Though she was confident about that, her heart still ached sharply, as if pierced by a needle.
He had actually told his mother at home that he didn't like her.
That meant his feelings were genuine. He did not care about her at all.
Was she really that unworthy?
Faced with a room full of staring eyes, Lucas could only grit his teeth and start performing.
"Mom, what nonsense are you saying? How could I not like Rose? Let me tell you, even if I lose interest in money, alcohol, or gambling for the rest of my life, I would never stop liking her. She is everything to me."
"What?" Susanna looked stunned. "But didn't you tell me just a few days ago—"
Lucas quickly interrupted her. "I was drunk that day and just speaking nonsense. You can't take that seriously."
James was overjoyed. He quickly stepped forward and grabbed Lucas's hand.
"Young Master Grey, if you really do like Rose, that is perfect. Why don't we hold an engagement banquet right away and settle the marriage?"
"As it happens, the day after tomorrow is a lucky date. Let's schedule the banquet for then. What do you think?"
Sebastian was speechless when he heard that.
"Isn't this a bit too rushed?"
The Grey family was one of the top families in Su City, and Lucas was their only son.
Something as important as an engagement banquet should take at least a week to plan properly.
Two days would be far too tight.
But the White family could not wait any longer.
If they did not immediately announce the engagement between Rose and Lucas, their business partners would surely terminate their contracts.
The White family would not only go bankrupt, they would be left with a mountain of debt.
Seeing the Grey family's hesitation, James turned a forceful gaze toward Rose.
He knew that she had never held Lucas in high regard, but right now she had no right to be choosy.
Whether she agreed or not, she would have to go through with it.
Rose had been in charge of the White Group since she was sixteen and had never bowed her head to anyone.
Now she was being forced to beg someone to marry her.
Although she was willing to be engaged to Lucas, she still felt her pride being trampled.
She pressed her lips together and stepped forward.
Just as she was about to speak, Lucas beat her to it.
"I'm willing. I'm completely willing to get engaged to Rose right now. Mom, Dad, since she has finally agreed to the proposal, we should not risk anything going wrong. Let's hold the ceremony the day after tomorrow."
[Forget it. Rose looks like she is about to cry. I'll help her out. Even if she is the male lead's brainless lapdog, she hasn't done anything wrong. She ended up like this because of the plot, not by her own doing.]
[Sigh. I just hope that once she joins the male lead's harem, he will treat her better. This poor girl has lacked affection since childhood, which is why she is so cold. If she ends up with the male lead but never receives any love from him, that would be too cruel.]
You... you are the one who is pitiful!
Rose lowered her head and bit her lip hard.
I do not need affection or love. I can take care of myself. I can become strong on my own. I can do it.
I do not need anyone...
Suddenly, a large hand landed on her shoulder.
Lucas had walked up to her at some point and said, "Rose, from now on, you are my fiancée. I will take care of you. I will never let anyone bully you again. I will not let you suffer even the slightest bit of pain or injustice."
His voice was warm and affectionate.
Even though she knew he was only pretending and that these were not his true feelings, her heart was still filled with warmth.
It was easy to offer help when someone was thriving, but rare and precious when someone was at their lowest.
She clenched her fists and made a silent vow in her heart.
Lucas, I don't care if you are sincere or not. Since you made that promise in front of me, you must follow through and honor it.
And just like that, the engagement was set.
After seeing the White father and daughter off, Sebastian frowned with dissatisfaction.
"How could you agree to this so carelessly? The White family is about to collapse. They have no money at all. Sooner or later, they will become bloodsuckers living off our family. Are we really going to support their entire household?"
Susanna sighed.
"There is no helping it. Your son has his heart set on that White girl. What a pity."
Hearing the couple quietly complaining, Lucas was filled with guilt.
Truthfully, just supporting the White family would have been a generous outcome.
In reality, they did not even deserve that.
At the engagement banquet in two days, Rose would be taken away by someone else. The Grey family's reputation would be utterly ruined, and they would become a laughingstock in Su City.
And that would only be the beginning of their downfall.
Soon after, David would begin using his influence to torment the Grey family. He would humiliate Lucas in front of every other rich second-generation heir in the city.
Even then, Lucas would remain obsessed with Rose, unwilling to give up.
David would eventually lose patience and destroy the Grey family entirely. He would leave Lucas with nothing and cripple him. From that day on, every second of Lucas's life would be nothing but suffering.
Lucas had once hoped to keep his parents out of the conflict.
But now, that was clearly impossible.
The engagement banquet could not be avoided. His parents would end up confronting David directly.
The thought left him filled with anxiety.
In the blink of an eye, two days passed.
The engagement day had arrived.
Since the White family was in crisis, the Grey family handled everything for the banquet. They paid for everything, took charge of planning, invited all the elite and powerful figures in town, and were completely run ragged.
The busier the Grey family became, the more pressure Lucas felt.
Only on the day of the banquet did he feel a little relief.
Whatever happens, happens.
If he had to face disaster, better to get it over with.
He would survive this banquet and find a way to make it up to his parents and to the family afterward.
Today's banquet was the real beginning of the novel. He could not afford to mess it up.
The venue was surrounded by white lilies, filling the air with fragrance and elegance.
The rich and powerful of Su City were gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing. The atmosphere was lively and joyful.
No one would have guessed that someone might dare to cause trouble at such an event.
"Wow, she's so beautiful."
"That's Rose, the most beautiful woman in Su City? Oh my god, it's my first time seeing her in person. She really is that stunning?"
"No wonder Young Master Grey is so obsessed with her. If I had the chance, I would be too."
"Grey is the perfect role model for us simps. He simped until he got everything. We should all learn from him."
Following the direction of everyone's gaze and exclamations, Lucas looked toward the entrance and saw Rose walking in.
She wore a snow-white floor-length gown adorned with sparkling diamonds. Her cloud-like hair was pinned with a pink and white rose, making her fair skin appear even more radiant.
Today, she had shed some of her usual iciness and gained a touch of softness.
Her flushed cheeks made her look like a shy young girl.
Lucas was completely stunned.
He had always known she was beautiful, but he had never realized she could be this graceful and feminine.
-End of Chapter 8-