Chapter 1
If one day, I were transformed into a handful of golden soil, the verdant grass emerging from this earth would sway for you, and the blossoms blooming would be resplendent for you.
If one day, I were transformed into a crystalline spring, the fish gracefully frolicking in this spring would dance for you, and the melodious spring sounds would sing for you.
Such a love is profoundly beautiful!
Grace Martin sweetly smiled, closed the book, rose from the bed, and exited her petite chamber, preparing to descend and acquire the art of crafting gourmet cookies with Emily Johnson.
Although Grace Martin is indeed the 'privileged' daughter of James Martin, it seems that individuals have distinct destinies!
In the Martin household, Grace Martin assumes various roles:
James Martin's youngest daughter.
Playmate of sister Alyssa Martin.
Object of Christopher Brown's affections.
Assistant to the culinary artisan.
Aid to the cleaning matron.
The rationale is straightforward: Grace Martin is the offspring of James Martin and a woman from the wild!
James Martin's original spouse is named Jessica Smith, also the biological mother of sister Alyssa Martin. Grace Martin refers to her as the legitimate mother. Due to health reasons, Jessica Smith lost her reproductive capacity after giving birth to Alyssa Martin.
James Martin, influenced by the feudal notion of favoring sons over daughters, thus 'fabricated' Grace Martin with the woman from the wild.
Upon witnessing the arrival of another daughter, coupled with Jessica Smith adeptly embodying the 'tigress' style, James Martin finally yielded! He believes that perhaps he is truly fated to have daughters.
Less than three months after Grace Martin's birth, her mother succumbed to illness. In the words of the legitimate mother, Jessica Smith: it was the deserved consequence for being the third party!
Grace Martin does not harbor resentment toward Jessica Smith. After all, Jessica Smith adopted her. Although the sentiment is as ephemeral as water!
Grace Martin pushed the door and found the door to her sister Alyssa Martin's room slightly ajar. It was the room where the sun shone in.
A peculiar sound penetrated Grace Martin's ears!
The slender and intricate moans of a woman, even through the door, could be heard, causing embarrassment and an accelerated heartbeat!
"Ah... Christopher, be gentler... it hurts!"
"Pain is the gateway to sensation! You enjoy me like this, don't you?! A woman of contradictory words and thoughts..."
"Ah... you're so wicked..."
"..."
Grace Martin, a 20-year-old maiden, naturally discerned the implications of such a conversation. She did not linger and descended the stairs swiftly.
"Alas, young miss, becoming more and more unconventional!" Emily Johnson glanced at the second floor, sighed, and shook her head.
"Emily Johnson, refrain from such remarks. Sister is an adult now!" Grace Martin said softly.
'Creak...' the sound of a car, a Mercedes, halted in front of the mansion.
Then entered a middle-aged man, hair shiny and bright, holding a cigar; closely following behind was an enchanting mature woman, with a well-rounded figure, exuding an assertive beauty.
"Dad, legitimate mother..." Grace Martin welcomed them, taking the legitimate mother, Jessica Smith's handbag.
"Hmm." James Martin merely made a symbolic grunt, "Grace Martin, go upstairs and summon your sister down!"
"Alright, I'll go now!" Grace Martin turned and ascended the stairs swiftly.
Just as she was about to knock on the door, it swung open, revealing a bare-chested, muscular man.
Grace Martin, unprepared, beheld Christopher Brown's towering and robust physique, the rugged and domineering sensuality. Grace Martin quickly averted her gaze.
"Satisfied with what you saw?! My little darling?" Christopher Brown teased with a wicked smile.
"Sister, Dad is calling you downstairs..." Grace Martin shouted into the room and hastily descended the stairs.
"What?! Marry that worthless man?!" Alyssa Martin's clamorous voice threatened to lift the roof of the entire mansion.
"What worthless man?! He is the president of the Wilson Family Group, affluent enough to rival nations! Moreover, you have been promised to him since childhood. Whom else would you marry?" James Martin reprimanded his daughter.
"Please, he's a man who lost his manhood in a fire! If I marry him, wouldn't I be destined to a life of widowhood?! Money is useless in compensating for his lost manhood, no matter how much wealth there is!" Alyssa Martin, with a disdainful expression, scoffed.
"Silence! As a young lady, speaking such words, do you not feel ashamed?!" James Martin forcefully flicked the cigar to the ground, crushing it with his foot. "Whether you like it or not, you will marry him. I, James Martin, am a man of my word!"
"Dad, you're too selfish! For the sake of your so-called reputation, you're forcing your own daughter into a pit of fire?! You're not worthy of being a father!" Alyssa Martin did not compromise, resolute in her stance.
No woman wishes to endure a life devoid of 'intimacy'!
Suddenly, Alyssa Martin's gaze fixed on Grace Martin, her half-sister. Grace Martin, in terror, took a step backward but was forcefully pulled by her sister Alyssa Martin.
"Dad, Grace Martin is also your daughter. Why not marry her to that worthless man?" Alyssa Martin rolled her eyes, revealing a cunning plan.
"Sister..." Grace Martin softly uttered.
James Martin stared at this frail and delicate younger daughter. Previously, he had hardly given her a proper glance. Over the years, she had matured into a pure and lovely young lady.
James Martin fell into contemplation!
"I agree with Alyssa Martin's suggestion!" Jessica Smith, the stepmother who had remained silent, calmly spoke up.
Grace Martin suddenly felt a chill enveloping her, the air becoming suffocating!
James Martin turned his head, waiting for Jessica Smith to continue. He had always heeded Jessica Smith's words, except when 'creating' Grace Martin on the sly.
"Our casino holds forty percent of the shares belonging to the Wilson family! If Matthew Wilson reclaims his shares, our casino will face closure. Furthermore, we need to leverage Matthew Wilson's influence to ensure the casino stands forever!" Jessica Smith spoke with the shrewd demeanor of a businessperson.
"But Alyssa Martin is the one promised to Matthew Wilson?" James Martin expressed doubt.
"If Alyssa Martin is married off, the outcome might be even worse than closure! Do you not know Alyssa Martin's temperament? She cannot endure that kind of life! But Grace Martin can. She has been obedient and gentle since childhood, perfectly suited to serve Matthew Wilson!" Jessica Smith analyzed seriously.
"Well, dear sister, why don't you step in for your elder sister's marriage! Your mom committed such disgraceful acts, yet my mom still adopted you... you've enjoyed free room and board in our Martin family for twenty years; it's time to repay the favor!" Alyssa Martin, extremely gentle, held her younger sister Grace Martin's hand, uttering venomous words.
"Fine, I'll marry!" Grace Martin lifted her tear-streaked face, gazing at James Martin with grievances. She lightly bit her lip, the poignant expression freezing James Martin's heart...