Chapter 3 Let's Get Married
1342 Words
As soon as William stepped through the door of Collingwood Villa, he noticed his grandfather sitting on the sofa with a woman.
The woman was sitting obediently, looking somewhat nervous, with her hands tightly clasped on her knees.
William couldn't help but take a second glance. At this moment, Eloise looked up.
Their eyes met, and the instant he looked into her eyes, William felt a jolt, his heart skipping a beat.
Her eyes were so clear and captivating.
It was too strange. Just one look into her eyes, his whole body felt like it was coursing with electricity—tingling and oddly familiar.
He cleared his throat, wondering what was happening to him?
Eloise was also flustered and quickly looked away.
"Now that you're back, let me formally inform you once more: you are to marry Eloise," Landon ordered without preamble.
"What? Marry her?" William was utterly bewildered.
"Watch your tone! Eloise's mother saved my life back in the day. This is a promise I made to her!"
Eloise shamefully lowered her head. She had just arrived at the Collingwood Villa when Landon scrutinized her head to toe. Before she could even speak, he informed her that she would marry his grandson.
Eloise had tried to refuse, telling Landon at least ten times that this wasn’t what she wanted, but he just turned a deaf ear to her.
Landon only heard what he wanted to hear.
"Grandpa, I'm not going to marry her. I came back this time just to tell you that I already have someone in mind and I won't marry anyone else but her! As for this woman, have you even checked her background? What if she's a fraud?"
Hearing this, Eloise couldn't help but glance at him before lowering her head again.
His words were harsh, but they were the truth, making her hang her head even lower.
William noticed her reaction and gave her a sidelong glance, feeling an indescribable emotion stirring inside him.
"What are you talking about, you ungrateful brat!" Landon raised his cane to hit him, but before he could lift his arm, he clutched his chest in agony, with the face contorted with pain and the entire body trembling.
"Grandpa, what's wrong?" William was startled by the old gentleman’s sudden distress, a rare sense of panic overcoming him.
Eloise, however, remained remarkably composed. As a medical student, she was good at facing emergencies with the calmest of minds. "It's a heart attack. Get the medication, now!"
William quickly ran to the study and retrieved his grandfather's usual medication.
Eloise took the medicine and helped Landon take it. Fortunately, the miserable old man regained consciousness soon, his eyes opening slowly.
"Grandpa, how are you feeling?"
"You... you stubborn brat, you'll be the death of me one day! I'm getting old, and I don't know how much longer I'll be around. I just want to see you settle down and live a good life. Eloise is a good girl..."
Landon looked at his grandson with a face full of sorrow.
William wore a somber expression, lost in thought.
Grandfather was his only family in this world, and he wouldn't allow anything to harm him.
"Come with me," William suddenly said to Eloise, signaling her with his eyes before walking away.
*****
In the study, hands tucked into his trouser pockets, facing away from Eloise, William gazed out the window.
"Actually..."
"Let's get married."
Eloise and William spoke out simultaneously.
She froze, unable to believe her ears. What? Get married? To him?
"Actually, I..."
"No need to explain. I'm not one to beat around the bush, so I'll get straight to the point. I already have someone I care about and plan to marry. But as you can see, today's events have thrown all my plans off course, and my grandfather is insistent on you being my wife. So, all I can offer you is the title and basic financial support. Got it?"
Eloise tried to explain, but William cut her off abruptly. Her lips trembled as she struggled to find the words to respond.
Her silence made William frown. He looked at her and asked, "Why aren't you saying anything? Do you disagree?"
Eloise took a deep breath, finally raising her head to meet his gaze. "Actually, I'm not here to ask you to marry me. I just... need to borrow some money. My grandmother is ill..."
Before she could finish, William let out a derisive laugh.
He slowly turned around, hands still in his pockets, and stepped closer to Eloise. Just when there was only a fist's distance between them, he stopped, looking intently at her.
So, she really was just after money.
He was fooled by her looks.
Eloise found herself at a loss for words. She understood William's perspective. If she were in his shoes, she would probably think she was just a woman willing to sell herself for money too.
Pale and shaken, Eloise hadn't expected things to escalate this far.
Her grandmother desperately needed money for her medical treatment, and Eloise couldn't afford to waste a day.
"You don't have to worry about the money. I'll take care of that. Now just tell me！ Will you marry me for my grandfather's sake?"
William lowered his gaze, hiding the coldness in his eyes.
"Okay, I agree." Eloise didn't want to, but given her grandmother's dire situation and Landon's expectation of an answer, she had no choice.
"I'll prepare the agreement. Tomorrow morning, bring your passport. We'll get married."
*****
The next day, Eloise stared at the marriage license in her hand, still unable to comprehend it all.
For survival, she had first sold her body, and now she sold her marriage...
"Mrs. Collingwood, this is from Mr. Collingwood." Casper stepped forward, glancing at William who hadn't looked at Eloise once, and handed her a black card.
The money came so quickly, Eloise didin’t hesitate and accepted it.
With it, her grandmother could be saved!
Clutching the card, she walked up to William who was standing aside and looked at him sincerely. "Thank you."
William ignored her. It was just a deal, and he didn't need her thanks.
William left, and Eloise went to the Quietude Sanatorium.
After paying off her grandmother's overdue hospitalization and treatment fees, Eloise noted it.
On this day, she owed William 300,000 dollars.
She hadn't intended to accept his money without reason, but as a medical student, she lacked the means to repay him now. She vowed to settle the debt in the future.
With one worry off her mind, Eloise heaved a sigh of relief.
After being tense for two days, she suddenly relaxed, her legs feeling weak, and her back and forehead covered in cold sweat.
She knew where the problem lay. It was that one night.
For some reason, she had a bad feeling...
Afraid to delay any longer, Eloise immediately went to the hospital and made an appointment with the gynecologist.
*****
In the Bentley Mulsanne, William instructed Casper, "Tell Serena that the wedding is off. Comfort her and fulfill her every request."
"Understood."
William's phone chimed with a notification: Your credit card has been charged 300,000 dollars.
She had spent such a large sum of money right after receiving the card!
William began to doubt himself.
His initial impression about Eloise was that she wasn't that kind of girl. Where had things gone wrong?
After swiftly attending to his business, William hurried back to the company.
But as he passed by the maternity hospital, he saw a familiar figure.
Was that... Eloise? Why was she here instead of Lunaria? William followed her.
Unbeknownst to himself, he had already taken notice of Eloise beyond his control.
Eloise entered a consulting room, and as William glanced up, he saw the sign above—Gynecology!
A shadow crossed William's chiseled features.
Half an hour later, Eloise emerged, pale-faced, leaning against the wall. She bumped into him head-on.
Eloise was startled. "Why are you here?"
Instead of answering, William countered, "What are you doing here?"
- Writer
