My Contract Marriage

Chapter 5

After the thesis discussion meeting, it was time for lunch. Leaving the conference room and passing by the window, Ella saw Emma Bennett waiting downstairs.

A few days ago, Emma had mentioned that she needed help with something, so she had invited Ella to lunch that day. When Ella asked what she needed help with, Emma refused to tell her and insisted on waiting until dinner to explain.

Although Ella was not very familiar with Lucas, she had a good relationship with Emma and agreed to her lunch invitation.

Taking the elevator, Ella arrived at the lobby on the first floor. As soon as she walked out of the lobby, she was stopped by a young man at the door.

The young man was wearing a rugby jersey, and his golden short hair was reflecting the sunlight, indicating that he had just finished a game. There was a faint sweat smell on him. With a big smile on his face, he looked healthy and cheerful.

The young man was very proactive. After stopping her, he took out his phone and said, "You are the most charming girl I have ever seen. I am the captain of the rugby team. Can we exchange contact information?"

Today, Ella had tied her brown curly hair into a ponytail for comfort and was wearing a hoodie and a sporty coat. The two of them standing together looked very compatible, like the male and female protagonists in a youth movie.

Emma was a bit far from them and couldn't hear their conversation clearly, but she also realized that the young man was trying to strike up a conversation. She walked over quickly.

Come on, this is her brother's wife, her sister-in-law. For the sake of her brother's marriage, she must take action.

Facing the sudden approach, Ella was much calmer. She politely said, "I'm sorry," and then raised her left hand to show the young man the wedding ring on her finger.

The young man, realizing the reality, lowered his head in disappointment. He didn't make any more trouble and just said sincerely before leaving, "I wish you happiness. I mean, if you become single again, feel free to contact me."

"They will always be happy." Emma, who had already walked to Ella's side, said seriously to the young man.

Emma at this moment looked like a small beast guarding its territory. She seemed to know nothing about her brother's marriage, and Ella smiled, "Don't worry, let's go to lunch."

Ella was very popular, and Emma had had dinner with her several times, with various men trying to strike up conversations with her each time. Emma was worried about her brother, but she was also grateful that they were already married, otherwise Lucas would have to face many competitors every day.

Ella seemed to be in a good mood, and Emma joked with her, "The most charming girl in the world, please tell me, why can't I attract so many handsome men?"

"Well, next time someone asks for my contact information, I'll give them your phone number." Ella also joked with her.

"Really? I like young men. They have great bodies, full of passion, and never seem to get tired." Emma liked this topic very much.

Emma was a good conversationalist. You could discuss any topic with her. She had unique insights, a humorous way of speaking, and a very outgoing and cheerful personality.

The meeting lasted all morning, and Ella was a bit hungry. "I'm a bit hungry. What do you want to eat?"

Leading her to the car, Emma said, "My colleague introduced me to a Southeast Asian restaurant. Let's try it."

The restaurant seemed to have a really good taste, with many customers. While waiting for the food to arrive, they continued chatting.

Ella was curious about what kind of help Emma needed. "Are you in trouble? Is it serious?"

Emma looked a bit embarrassed. "Well, it's like this. Can you make time in a few days? I want to ask you to help Lucas."

"Lucas? What happened to him?"

"You know, our family situation is a bit complicated. Lucas didn't want you to be disturbed by these things, so he didn't tell you." Emma hesitated for a moment.

Ella listened attentively.

Their grandfather, Henry Bennett, was the eldest member of the Bennett family and also the actual helmsman of the Bennett family's assets.

Their family was not large. Henry Bennett had only two sons, Lucas's father, William Bennett, and his uncle, Guan Lang. Unfortunately, more than ten years ago, the two brothers had an accident while riding in a private plane, and both died in the accident.

As a result, the operation and inheritance of the family's assets fell to the next generation. Lucas's elder brother, James Bennett, had almost bankrupted the Bennett Film Company and for some other reasons, had lost the right to inherit.

On the other hand, Lucas's cousin, Michael Bennett, was a dangerous opponent. He was in charge of managing another major industry of the Bennett Group, the Bennett Real Estate Company.

Everyone knew that this was a competition set up by Henry Bennett. Whoever performed better would become the heir to the entire family's assets.

Ella understood the relationship and asked, "I know you told me all this because you trust me, so what help can I offer?"

"Father and uncle's deaths hit grandfather hard, and he fell into a period of grief." Lucas explained to her, "A healing master helped him out of the bad state, and he trusted the master very much. Every year, he would personally go to the master's spiritual sanctuary for blessings, until a few years ago, when his health deteriorated."

After Henry Bennett was unable to go to the spiritual sanctuary in person, he entrusted this work to Guan Lang's wife. But this year, their daughter, Lucas and Lucas's cousin, was pregnant, and her due date was the same as the days she needed to go for blessings. So, Henry Bennett proposed that William Bennett's children go for blessings instead.

Lucas looked embarrassed. "But Lucas's leg was injured before, and it looks healed now, but it's still very fragile. The master advocates the life of an ascetic, and the accommodation in the spiritual sanctuary is far worse than in the apartment. Grandfather is worried about his leg, so he wants you to go for blessings instead of him."

"Lucas found reasons to refuse grandfather's proposal. He feels that it's enough for me to go alone. He doesn't believe in the master or the blessings there. But grandfather trusts everything there. I know he's not satisfied with Lucas's refusal."

"And..." Emma hesitated.

"What else?" Ella asked.

"In recent years, grandfather's health has not been as good as before. Our cousin, Michael Bennett, is indeed a strong opponent. We need to attract more of grandfather's attention and leave a good impression."

Ella understood the importance of this matter. In Henry Bennett's heart, the blessings were very important, as the master had helped him out of a period of hellish life. So not everyone had the qualifications to go for blessings. The qualifications for blessings symbolized Henry Bennett Bennett's trust and favor.

To be honest, this request was a bit beyond the scope of the marriage agreement she had with Lucas.