The Billionaire's Forbidden Bride

The Williams estate is like a small kingdom stretched across a hillside. Every corner symbolizes wealth and power—polished marble floor, large glass windows, and well-maintained gardens, portraits of ancestors who built the empire piece by piece are lined up on the wall. Oliver Williams had lived his whole life in this setting. But to him it's more like a prison than a home. He just walked into his father's study that morning, dressed in a well-tailored black suit paired with a white shirt inside. The sunlight streaming through the large windows touched his sharp features, but he was more focused on glancing at the beautiful nature. “Oliver, you must understand,” his father's voice broke the silence,sounding deep and firm. “This family was built on alliances. Marrying Lisa Weldon isn’t just about you—it’s about legacy. About keeping what we have strong.” Oliver nodded out of habit, though his jaw tightened. “I’ve heard this speech before, Father.” Mrs. Williams, sitting elegantly by the corner with her pearls catching the light, leaned forward. “And you’ll hear it again until you finally do what’s right. Lisa is perfect for you. She understands our world.” Perfect. Oliver nearly scoffed. Perfectly spoiled, perfectly arrogant, perfectly unbearable. He swallowed the words instead. For years, he had trained himself not to argue too much. His mother had a way of twisting every response into rebellion, and his father rarely took his side. They weren’t cruel parents, but they were strict guardians of their name, of the Williams empire that Oliver had been born to inherit whether he wanted it or not. “Lisa Weldon is like family already,” Mrs. Williams continued. “Her parents have stood by us for years. The Weldons are loyal people.” Oliver’s chest tightened. If only his parents could see what he saw—the way Lisa looked down on waiters at dinners, the sharp edge in her voice whenever she didn’t get her way. He tried to endure her, tried to imagine that maybe with time, something would change. But every encounter only confirmed what he already knew: he could never love her. He shifted, adjusting his cufflinks. “If you want loyalty, perhaps it should come from me, not from who I marry.” Mrs. Williams frowned, and his father let out a low sigh. “Oliver, stop this childishness. You are twenty-eight. Do you think we’re asking for too much? You’ll inherit everything one day, but responsibility starts now. I expect you to make sacrifices for the family.” Sacrifices. That is what he had always lived for. Sacrifices for a name, for wealth, and for an empire. When had anyone asked what he wanted? The meeting ended soon after it started as most of them always do— with Oliver leaving the room silently and both parents exchanging looks of disappointment behind him. He walked down the stairs, each servant bowing as he passed, until he finally stepped outside. The morning breeze was so cool and refreshing, and for a moment he could take a deep breath. His driver approached, opening the car door. “The office, sir?” Oliver paused. He should go straight to the company headquarters, sit in the CEO’s chair-in-waiting, and drown himself in endless files and meetings. But today, something in him resisted. “Not yet,” he said quietly. “Drive me into the city first.” As they drive down the hill, leaving behind the beautiful estate and moving down into the streets where the scents of different local dishes and loud noises from the morning traffic. Oliver leaned back, loosening his tie. He hardly comes here—this part of the city is very different from the normal penthouse house he is used to at the estate. But something about the ordinary life unfolding outside the window caught his eye. “Stop here,” he suddenly told the driver. The man insisted but later obeyed, pulling up near a busy roadside. Small wooden stalls lined on a roll and across, women flipping pancakes, men selling roasted corn and children running around the noisy vicinity barefoot and with smiles on their faces. Oliver stepped out from the car, ignoring the curious looks. He wasn't sure what he was looking for, only that he wanted to escape the call of duty and distract his mind. His gaze took him to a small store at the corner, where the aroma of their stew smelled delicious. Behind the counter, a young woman with simple braids worked beside her mother, serving customers quickly and politely. For a second, Oliver’s eye lingered. She was nothing like Lisa. She dressed so decently, her clothes plain, her hands busy and her face so calm. “Sir, what would you like to eat?” she asked politely, her voice calm but not fearful. Oliver realized he didn't even think before walking down to her stall. He nodded. “Yes. One plate of rice, please.” She served him with quick hands, and he sat down at a nearby wooden chair. The food was warm, with a good aroma and somehow comforting. It's more like his first time eating outside of his luxury dining. He couldn't help but to watch her work— her focus, her smiling face and how she treats every customer with the same respect. When he finished, he stood to pay but couldn't find his wallet—he froze. He must have left it in the car. His face tensed. He never forgot things like this. “I… forgot my wallet," he said, feeling awkward. The young woman tilted her head. “That’s all right, sir. You can pay next time.” He blinked. People rarely said that to him. “Are you sure?” She smiled faintly. “We don’t cheat people here. I trust you’ll return.” Oliver couldn't take her out of his thoughts as he walked down towards his car. It wasn't just her words but the sincerity in her face. Hours later, sitting in his office with files scattered on his desk from yesterday's work, he reached out for his briefcase to get started with work, then he froze again—still can't find his wallet. His pulse quickened. Where could it be? The phone on his desk buzzed. He took the call but was still absent-minded, looking restless searching for his missing wallet. “Please is this Mr Williams?”a soft, unfamiliar voice asked.” You left something behind my stall. Would you want me to return it?” Oliver sat up straight, his chest tightened. The girl from the roadside.