Chapter 6: Marriage as a Funeral Procession
1538 Words
Chapter 6: Marriage as a Funeral Procession
The old lady instantly smiled, "How have I wronged you, dear?"
"Young Master...," she meant to say, is clearly a trap.
"My grandson, aside from having a bit of night blindness, some skin conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and mobility issues with his legs, doesn't really have any other bad points."
Selena Patrick's eyes widened in shock as she stared at grandma...
Is there anything good left?
"Grandma, don't joke with me like this. I'm easily scared."
"Grandma knows, it's unfair to you, but I promise that what you will gain will far outweigh what you give."
Since she was being so straightforward, Selena Patrick saw no need to hold back either.
"Since Grandma is being so open, may I ask, what exactly can I get out of this?"
The old lady still wore a warm, amiable smile, "You will get everything you wish for."
"What you care about most is your father's treatment. Grandma promises you, we will provide the best possible care for him."
It seemed the Maugham family had thoroughly investigated her background.
"I'd like to add a condition."
The old lady gestured for her to go on.
"I want you to help me find out who the real killer of my mother was." She gritted her teeth.
The old lady's eyes dimmed slightly, "So much time has passed, we'll need to take it step by step."
"I know the Maugham family is powerful and resourceful. I can wait."
After all, it was mutual exploitation. There was no point in talking about honor.
"I have a final request."
The old lady raised an eyebrow, "What else do you want?"
"I want you to convert all the generous betrothal gifts into cash and transfer it to my personal account in advance."
The old lady's gaze lingered on Selena Patrick's delicate face, "Are you in dire need of money now?"
"Very much so."
"Then Grandma will agree to this request."
In front of Selena Patrick, grandma immediately instructed the butler to handle it.
To put her at ease, the butler acted swiftly. Before Selena Patrick even left the Maugham residence, she received a notification on her phone indicating the funds had been transferred.
She decided to head to the hospital first to check on her niece, Emily, and give her sister some money, while also telling her about the marriage.
Once she entered the Maugham household, it might not be easy to meet again.
At the hospital, Freda Patrick's ex-husband, Hiram Cooper, and his current wife appeared in the ward.
"Since you're here, pay for Emily's medical expenses. After all, you are her father," Freda Patrick said coldly.
Before Hiram Cooper could speak, the woman beside him chimed in, "Since you got custody of the child during the divorce, you should be responsible for all her needs. We didn't come here to give you money."
"What do you mean? The child is severely injured and needs surgery. I don't have enough money. Hiram Cooper, this child is also part of your Cooper family. Can't you show some conscience?"
The woman stepped in front of Hiram Cooper, "If we had no conscience, we wouldn't have come here right after receiving your call... to watch the spectacle."
To emphasize her point, the woman laughed loudly.
Freda Patrick was furious, "Are you even human?"
"Freda Patrick, you gave birth to this child. I, as the father, am just a nominal one. You should take care of yourself."
Hiram Cooper's words hit Freda Patrick hard.
Without money, Emily couldn't have the surgery.
Driven to desperation, the woman grabbed Hiram Cooper's clothes, "Hiram Cooper, are you even human? Emily is your daughter. How can you be so cruel?"
Hiram Cooper, with great disdain, pushed her away, "Even if I had money, I wouldn't give it to a jinx like you, nor would I save that little jinx."
Just then, Selena Patrick pushed the door open and entered the ward.
Seeing Freda Patrick crying bitterly on the floor, she knew Hiram Cooper was up to his usual bullying.
"If you won't pay for the treatment, get out, get out..."
"It was you who told us to leave. Don't call us for anything in the future."
Hiram Cooper and his wife hurriedly left the ward, as if afraid Freda Patrick would cause a scene.
Selena Patrick helped Freda Patrick up, comforting her, "Sis, don't cry. I can pay for Emily's surgery. I have money now. We don't need to beg anyone."
"Where did you get the money?" Freda Patrick asked, tears still streaming down her face.
"Don't worry about that now. Let's arrange the surgery for Emily." She gently brushed the dust off Freda Patrick, "Sis, never go to the Cooper family again. They are not worth it. Our lives will get better, I promise."
Freda Patrick nodded, "Luo, without you, I don't know how I would survive."
"Sis, you must stay strong. Emily needs you."
"Yes."
Emily's condition was stable, and the surgery went smoothly, easing Freda Patrick's worries.
While Emily was asleep, Selena Patrick pulled Freda Patrick aside to talk.
During their conversation, she briefly mentioned their father's illness and her upcoming marriage.
"You're marrying Steven Austin?"
Freda Patrick knew about Steven Austin, but not that they had broken up.
Selena Patrick shook her head, "We broke up. I'm marrying Jeffrey Maugham."
Upon hearing the uncommon surname, Freda Patrick naturally thought of the Maugham family in J city.
"Isn't he the one rumored to be very ill?"
"Yes, it's him."
Freda Patrick was stunned, "Was this arranged by uncle?"
"Not entirely. I think marrying into the Maugham family is a good choice. At least, I won't have to live in constant fear, and Dad will receive better treatment."
Her words were heart-wrenching. As the elder sister, Freda Patrick felt deeply ashamed, "I've dragged you down, and Dad too."
"Sis, this isn't your fault. You've already done so much by taking care of yourself and Emily. This decision to marry was made by myself."
"Are you sure about this?" Freda Patrick couldn't believe it, "Is he dying and wants to marry you to bring him luck?"
That interpretation wasn't entirely wrong.
Even if he wasn't dying now, he probably wouldn't live long. The Maugham family's motive for marriage was likely to ensure a successor.
"I don't care, Sis."
"Selena..."
"Sis, I came to see you today for two reasons: one, to ask you to visit Dad more often, and two, once I'm in the Maugham family, it might be hard to see you. But if you need anything, you can call me, and I'll help you."
Freda Patrick nodded silently.
She felt both pained and helpless.
"Once you enter the Maugham family, be very careful. A prominent family is different from our humble one. You can't act recklessly, understand?"
Freda Patrick warned, fearing her sister would follow in her footsteps.
"Don't worry, Sis, I will."
She transferred some money to Freda Patrick for emergencies and saved the rest for future needs.
The Maugham family sent someone to retrieve the original betrothal gifts from the Patrick family.
Darren Patrick called Selena Patrick, hurling a barrage of insults.
Adding to his fury was the fact that Sharon Patrick had lost her baby, pushing his anger to its peak.
When Selena Patrick returned home to pack, he stormed into her room and slapped her twice.
"Do you think you're something now? Just because you found a rich patron, you think you can do whatever you want? You even took the betrothal gifts yourself. I raised you for so many years. Did you grow up on air? You ungrateful wretch."
Darren Patrick showed no semblance of an elder.
His eyes, like those of a bloodthirsty monster, glared at Selena Patrick.
Selena Patrick smirked, "Go ahead, hit me. It would be better if you made it impossible for me to marry."
"Do you think I won't? Selena Patrick, even if the Maugham family is powerful, who knows how long Jeffrey Maugham will live. Do you think you're going there to enjoy life? You'll have nothing after he dies."
"I never thought you'd be so ungrateful. Hand over the Maugham family's betrothal gifts, and I'll let bygones be bygones regarding Sharon's miscarriage."
Look at him, willing to overlook his own daughter's suffering for a few dollars.
Selena Patrick refused to comply.
"Sharon's miscarriage is the result of her own misdeeds. It has nothing to do with me. I won't give you the money. You should think of a way to keep the Austin family's betrothal gifts instead."
Selena Patrick laughed mockingly.
"You...!"
Ignoring Darren Patrick's rant, Selena Patrick dragged her suitcase and left the Patrick household with a sense of victory.
There was no wedding dress, no fireworks, no grand procession, and no family to see her off.
With the same suitcase, Selena Patrick entered the Maugham family mansion alone.
The only sign of celebration was the wedding ribbon decoration on the window of Jeffrey Maugham's bedroom.
Well, she didn't care about that.
The butler greeted her politely at the door, taking her suitcase, "Young Mistress, this way, please."
Selena Patrick followed the butler upstairs, feeling a mix of uncertainty and determination.
- Writer
