A Wife For The Billionaire

Chapter 2:

“Ha, Miss, I don’t even know who my father is.”

The advisor, both angry and pained, was afraid to ask further, fearing the answer: “I have no parents; no one cares.” The advisor softened, sighing: “Really, Alina, what should I do with you? Look at your grades. Don’t you want to graduate? That sports field donation seems wasted now.”

Casterbridge University was strict; regardless of how one got in, serious infractions or poor academic performance would lead to expulsion. The advisor felt helpless with Alina.

Just then, Ricard entered with a stack of documents. As the vice president of the student council, he was the model student, excelling in studies, handsome, and from a wonderful family.

Alina glared at him, accusing him of lacking loyalty by not letting her see the answers. She nonchalantly said: “Miss, I know what you’re hinting at. I won’t argue with Mr. Smith next time. I’ll just sleep during his classes, okay?”

The advisor, truly at a loss, couldn’t manage Alina’s rebellion. “Your behavior is out of control.”

“Great, no one has controlled me yet.” She pouted, flipping her bangs. No one could control her, not even them.

Leaving the advisor’s office, Alina chased after Ricard.

The setting sun bathed the campus. Alina, with her bag slung over her shoulder, walked on fallen leaves, caught up, and slapped Ricard on the shoulder, complaining loudly: “Ricard, you traitor, not letting me see the answers!”

Ricard, towering at 1.80 meters, looked down disdainfully: “Why should I?”

“Damn, are you rebelling?” Alina dropped her bag, stepped on the curb, and jumped onto Ricard’s back, wrapping herself around him.

“Get down!” Ricard snapped. Despite his irritation, he didn’t push her off. “Alina, are you glued?”

“Yes, the stickiest kind.”

Despite their frequent arguments, Alina and Ricard had been friends for a long time.

Ricard, the campus heartthrob, received love letters daily from girls.

University life differed from high school, being more like a miniature society. In this environment, many believed “Alina” was a boy, and she didn’t bother to correct them.

Alina also received love letters from both boys and girls, her charm attracting admirers of both genders.

Ricard had the strength to throw her off easily, but instead, he bent down, grumbling: “Alina, stop annoying me.”

“What if I don’t?” She tightened her legs around his waist, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her cheek to his face, teasing Bella: “Ricard, is she your girlfriend?”

Hearing this, Bella’s heart raced. She had waited a week for Ricard’s answer.

Ricard, calm as ever, replied: “No.”

Bella experienced a broken heart.

At that moment, the sunset cast a golden glow on Alina’s face. She lay on Ricard’s back, her cheek resting against his, her small, delicate face glowing softly.

She gently asked: “So, can I be your girlfriend?”

She loved teasing him. During high school, she would flirt with him while sitting next to him, sometimes making him angry and other times making him blush. It was adorable and fun.

Now, in university, chances to sit close were rare. She hadn’t teased him in a while.

Time seemed to stop, the autumn evening on campus, the golden sunset, the rustling trees, and the cool breeze stirred innocent hearts.

Ricard looked at her, his calm eyes flickering with joy.

Just as he was about to respond, Alina playfully grabbed his chin, her other hand on his throat, provoking Bella: “I’m messing with him, I’m dirtying him, bite me if you dare!”

Bella, furious, pointed at Alina: “You’re an abomination, a waste of food your parents should have never had. No wonder you were abandoned. Even your parents didn’t want you, so why do you live?”

Alina’s smiling face froze. She jumped off Ricard’s back, eyes fierce. Parents were her sore spot.

Bella approached, grabbing Ricard, who was about to leave: “Stay away from that psycho. I heard she didn’t return to her room last night; who knows what she was up to. Catch nothing from her.”

Unexpectedly, Ricard pushed Bella away, coldly saying: “We don’t know each other.”

Bella’s face crumpled: “.”

Everyone else: “...”

“Furthermore, she went home yesterday; she wasn’t out partying at all. She’s my classmate, so I can’t avoid her.”

In front of everyone, Ricard’s words felt like a slap to Bella’s face. Bella was furious. Why would the person she liked joke around with that girl who looked neither male nor female? Why hurt her for a tomboy like that?

Benefiting from this, Alina boasted, “Haha, receiving the affection of two people. You guys really understand me.”

The autumn wind blew, Ricard stood tall and slender, prominent in the breeze. He turned to look at Alina and suddenly said, “Let me think about it.”

Then he walked away.

Alina was stunned on the spot. What did he say? Think about what?

***

Elsewhere in the city, Michanel drove home. As he arrived at the door, Mrs. William came out to greet him, softly reminding, “Son, your father’s blood pressure has been high recently. Don’t antagonize him.”

Michanel had a bad feeling.

If it’s a blessing, it’s not a disaster; if it’s a disaster, you can’t avoid it.

Inside, Mr. William sat upright on the sofa. A veteran soldier, even in retirement, he kept the bearing of a general. Michanel approached respectfully, saluting militarily. “Father, I’m home.”

Mr. William got straight to the point. “Michanel, the matter between you and Amile can be settled now.”

“There is nothing between Amile Anderson and me. What is there to settle?”

“We all know how Amile feels about you. Your mother and I are very pleased with Amile. If you keep delaying, the girl will grow old.”

“Wait a minute, Dad...” Michanel interrupted, “Dad, let me be clear, Amile’s feelings are her own. I have no interest in her. Amile and I are just colleagues, nothing more.”

Mr. William glared at him. He had expected this response from his son, so he remained calm but firm. “Here is the engagement agreement your grandfather and Mr. Wilson signed. It’s in black and white. See for yourself at the Wilsons’ house tomorrow.”

At first, Michanel didn’t understand, but when he saw the engagement agreement on the table, he was both scared and angry, “Dad, what era is this? What’s this about a childhood engagement? How outdated can you get?”

“Didn’t I tell you?” Although phrased as a question, Mr. William’s tone was affirmative. He was used to giving orders in the military, his authoritative demeanor was unavoidable. If it weren’t for his health, he would have advanced even further.

Michanel tried to reason, “Dad, I’m only 28. I’m in no rush to get married.”

“You may not be in a rush, but the girl’s family is,” Mr. William decided. “While you have some free time, settle this major life event.”

Michanel took a deep breath, trying to be patient. “Dad, I must respectfully refuse this matter.”

Mr. William pounded the table. “Don’t think that just because I’m retired, I can’t discipline you. For the past two years, whenever I said east, you went west. I let you be on other matters, but if you defy me on this, I will strip you of your rank.”

“Dad... You...?” Am I not your biological son?

Seeing the father and son quarrel, Mrs. William quickly intervened. Both had stubborn tempers; if this escalated, neither would back down. “Alright, alright, let’s all calm down. Son, 28 is not too young to get married, but your job doesn’t leave you much time to meet anyone. All the good girls are being taken.”

“I know you don’t like Amile; I won’t force you. As for the childhood engagement with the Wilsons, I’ve looked into it. Whether in terms of looks or age, the Wilsons’ daughters are a good match for you. She’s prettier than Amile Anderson, with a clean family background, good upbringing, first-class appearance, and temperament.”

The William family was a well-known military family, and they naturally sought the best for their daughter-in-law. If she hadn’t already checked, Mrs. William wouldn’t have agreed with her husband.

Michanel suddenly realized that his mother had trapped him. His parents joined forces to force this marriage.

Knowing that he and Amile Anderson were impossible, they used her as a comparison to force him into meeting and marrying the Wilsons’ daughter.

Was marriage and love really like a business transaction?

Mrs. William blinked, reminding him, “Your father’s blood pressure is high; don’t anger him.”

“...” What else could he say? How could he speak up? “Dad, please don’t force me.”

Mr. William, confident of his victory, calmly said, “It’s your decision. No one is forcing you. Anyway, I have a tea appointment with the Wilsons tomorrow to discuss this.”

Jonathan Watts, the highest-ranking military commander led the “Wilson family”. Michanel clenched his teeth in frustration, but was powerless. Rank and power weighed heavily, and he had to compromise.

“My girlfriend... is pregnant...” Michanel gritted out the words.

“What?” Shocked, his parents exclaimed.