Chapter 1 Save Me

"That's it! A betrothal gift of two million dollars! Send it to my bank account!"

"Mom, I'm still in school. How can you ask me to get married?" Larissa Solace's voice was filled with incredulity.

Penelope Hayes rolled her eyes. "Let's set it in advance first. You'll only claim the certificate two years later. If you get married at a young age, we can still get two million dollars. That's equivalent to a house!"

To Penelope, Larissa was only worth a house.

"Charmaine is the same age as me. Why don't you ask her to get married?" Larissa asked angrily.

Penelope sneered. "How can you compare yourself with Charmaine? Be it looks or grades, she is way better than you. I've raised her carefully, and her future is bright!"

"But I'm your biological daughter, not Charmaine!" Larissa shouted.

18 years ago, the hospital had mistakenly switched two babies.

As a result, Larissa ended up in an orphanage. It wasn't until a year ago that she was sent back to her birth family thanks to a website called "Returning Home."

Meanwhile, Charmaine Solace, who was supposed to be the one going to an orphanage, took Larissa's place and led a comfortable life.

"Shut up! You're just a country bumpkin! How I wish I had never given birth to you! You're just a disgrace to me!"

A hint of mockery glinted across Charmaine's eyes. Putting on an act, she said, "Larissa, Mom is doing this for your own good. Don't anger her anymore. Apologize to her quickly!"

"Charmaine, you don't have to defend her. She is just here to give me a hard time!"

In Penelope's eyes, her biological daughter was Charmaine, whom she had raised for the past 18 years. Larissa was nothing more than a country bumpkin to her. It was because of her that Penelope ended up being an object of ridicule.

"Either you give me two million dollars, or you go and get married!"

…

Larissa walked aimlessly with her head lowered while kicking the stones in her path. She felt a great wave of sadness wash over her when she thought of Penelope's words.

All of a sudden, a massive force hit her from behind and sent her flying.

A man fell on her back. He was so heavy that she could barely breathe.

"Catch him! Don't let him get away!"

"He is crippled! How did he escape?"

"You useless trash! Get him!"

"Save me, and I'll give you one billion dollars!" The man's husky and pleasant voice sounded in Larissa's ears.

Hearing that, Larissa paused her hands from trying to push the man away. She clenched her teeth and hid him in the pile of cardboard boxes nearby. Then, she put down her bag and pretended like she was doing her schoolwork.

A man clad in black clothes asked fiercely, "You! Have you seen a crippled man around here?"

Larissa pretended to ponder for a moment before pointing in a direction. "He went that way."

"Chase him!"

After those people left, Larissa immediately dragged the man out.

"Give me the money!" she said, stretching out her hand.

The man had already fallen unconscious, and his face was red. No matter how Larissa tried to call him, there was no response.

Larissa was completely worn out after dragging him to a hotel.

"I'm exhausted!" she exclaimed as she threw the man onto the bed.

Then, she went to the bathroom and came out with a wet towel. Upon wiping the man's face clean, she found out that he was extremely good-looking.

The man seemed to be in his 30s, and his facial features were sharply defined. Not only did he have a high nose bridge, but his thin lips were also attractive. He was definitely a real-life Adonis.

All of a sudden, he sprung his eyes open and fixed his sharp gaze on Larissa.

Larissa shuddered. "M-Mister, you promised me ..."

Before she could finish speaking, the man grabbed her hand and pulled her to him.

"Ah—!"

Her clothes were ripped open. Larissa couldn't utter a word because the man had locked her lips with his.

"Help me out. I'll marry you ..."

Throughout the whole night, Larissa cried so much that her voice became hoarse.

She regretted saving that man. It had never occurred to her that he was such a nasty person.

The next morning, Larissa slowly sat up on the bed and wrapped the blanket around her body. That man was no longer in the room. She gritted her teeth in hatred.

"That scumbag! He's going to be dead meat if I see him again!" Larissa cursed inwardly.

Right then, somebody knocked on the door politely.

When the door opened, a man sitting in a wheelchair came into view.

"It's you! " Larissa was stunned.

The man raised his brows. Then, he waved his hand, and a group of maids showed up behind him.

"Miss, please let us serve you."

"Hey, what are you doing? Stop!"

Half an hour later, the makeover was done. Larissa's hair was carefully styled, leaving it draped over her shoulders. A thin layer of lipstick was applied to her lips, and she seemed more perked up. The clothes she was wearing came from a famous brand.

She looked gorgeous.

A trace of astonishment flickered across the man's eyes. He made a gesture, beckoning the maids to leave.

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Ambrose Hamilton. I'm extremely sorry for what happened last night. Someone set me up by drugging me."

Larissa swallowed nervously. "Um, you told me that you'd give me money ..."

"I can give you money on one condition."

"What?"

"I need a bride," Ambrose replied seriously.

He had never expected that those people were still unwilling to let him go, even though he had fled to Ambrollum City. They even used such lowly methods to trick him.

He needed a woman who had a clean background to get married to. On top of that, she had to be someone that they had no control over.

Right now, the young lady in front of him happened to meet all his requirements.

Larissa thought she had misheard him.

"Are you disgusted by me?" Ambrose's voice turned cold. Then, he let out a bitter laugh.

Indeed, his legs were crippled now. How would any woman be willing to tie the knot with him?

"I understand now. You may leave," he said. "I'll give you the money as compensation."

"Mister, can I continue going to school if I marry you?"

"Yes. I won't restrict your freedom."

"Okay. Let's get married, then."

Ambrose was stunned. He didn't expect Larissa to agree to the proposition.

Larissa felt that it'd be better for her to get married first than to be sold by Penelope.

At least Ambrose was handsome.

"This is the marriage contract. You're still not old enough to be married. We'll officially claim the marriage certificate after two years."

Larissa dropped her signature on the document with a serious expression.