To gain Melanie's favor, Phoebe hastily spoke up."I see that it's true that people from those places don't know anything. She hasn't even seen fireworks, much less other precious things. Belle, you've never seen a feast as great as this before, have you?"Seeing that they were targeting Belle again, Yolanda spoke unhappily. "Just eat and stop yapping!"Melanie hastily said, "Dad made a rule that we can do anything we want at the family dinner on New Year's Eve. We're not at fault for talking."With that, Melanie snorted."I heard just now that Belle gave Dad a stone Grayson bought. But she kept saying that she found it in the mountains."She told a lie without even batting an eye. She has questionable character. You have to discipline her, Yolanda."Yolanda was upset to hear that. "Belle gave Dad that gift. Who told you that Grayson bought it?"Melanie sneered. "Anyone can see how precious that stone is. It's warm in the winter yet cold in the summer, and it can even glow at n
"What a fool!" Phoebe had just finished speaking when an elder shouted at her."You don't know any better!" As the elder reprimanded Phoebe, he kept his eyes on the golden dragon.Finneas was overwhelmed when he saw the golden dragon. Even his breathing turned rapid.Aside from him, a few other elders widened their eyes as well. "Is this made from the legendary golden wood?""I've studied wood for many years. This looks just like it.""I heard that many years ago, a minuscule piece surfaced, and it hadn't even been carved yet. It was merely the size of a small fist, yet it fetched billions of dollars when sold to the Quinn family!"If it's a sculpture of this size, it can probably go up to ten billion dollars!""Even if you have ten billion dollars, you might not even get to buy it. It's too precious a treasure!"Melanie and Phoebe widened their eyes upon hearing that. They couldn't fathom that something like that could be valued at ten billion dollars.And it was even a preci
Melanie looked at Yolanda, feeling extremely jealous of her.Before this, she thought that Belle was from a rural village. So, Belle would be the family's biggest flaw. Any daughter-in-law Melanie found would be much better than Belle.Now, a seemingly insignificant gift from Belle's family held a value of ten billion dollars. If the family could afford to bestow gifts of such value, it prompted the question of just how wealthy they must be.Even if she searched the whole of Maltford, she wouldn't be able to find a young lady this rich.Furthermore, she could discern the looks in the eyes of the other members of the Page family. They appeared eager to gain Belle's favor immediately.By the looks of it, the power of Alfred's family was getting even stronger.The more Melanie thought about it, the more emotional she became. Even her blood was boiling. Unable to bear it any longer, she said, "So what if she's rich? She can't stay in the Page family forever."She and Grayson are mar
Belle looked at Melanie with a smile on her face."Aunt Melanie is telling the truth. Grayson and I indeed have that agreement. When we looked lovey-dovey in front of everyone, we were indeed faking it."There's even something you don't know. Grayson and I have even signed a marriage contract."Everyone was surprised, and they fell silent.When Melanie heard Belle admitting to it, she immediately became spirited."Did you hear that? She said it herself. Even she admitted to it."Belle smiled."When I married him, neither of us was happy about it. Marriage is a significant commitment, and we had never met before, but circumstances forced us to live together. Anyone would be upset about that."When Melanie heard that, she got even more excited."So you're not part of our family at all. You don't even care about us!"Belle said, "Aunt Melanie, you said that there's a time limit to our marriage. I'll admit to that. But I don't want you accusing me of those things."I admit that
On the way home, Grayson was the one driving, as always.Because of his injury, Finneas forbade him from drinking. So, even if the other family members drank alcohol, Grayson was the only one who didn't drink. So he was able to drive the car.The car had just left Page Residence when Belle spoke up."When I saw how Uncle Kent and his family treated you, I could understand why Lena would treat me like that. Just because you came from the same family doesn't mean that they will treat you well."Grayson said, "Family bonds are a luxury in rich families. Just stop caring so much, and you'll be fine."If they truly wanted to fight Kent's family, they would have started risking their lives a long time ago.Kent was a weak and incompetent man, but he was competitive regardless.He wasn't capable enough to manage Page Corporation. But he insisted on wresting it from Alfred. Later, after someone planted the idea in his mind, he kept trying to harm Grayson.When Grayson was younger, he a
Grayson stood somewhere nearby, narrowing his eyes as he gazed at them. From time to time, he would take some photos with his phone to record the wonderful time he was experiencing.It had been one year since Belle came to Maltford, but she was only truly elated now. She was as happy as a child.Looking at her, Grayson imagined that she must be similarly happy when she was in the mountains.After coming to Maltford, she did have some happy times, but she had never been so lost in elation as she was now. She was completely immersed in joy.Grayson wished that she could be this happy all the time.He suddenly remembered that she would soon learn what happened back then. If she knew about it, she probably wouldn't be happy anymore. Grayson suddenly felt sad at the thought.Frowning, he took a deep breath and then breathed out. He had to stop himself from thinking too much at moments like this.When they ran out of sparklers, the children returned to their homes. Belle crouched down
Belle's heart was racing. She was panicking. She was even struggling with her words. "Y-You were the one who wanted to sign a marriage contract back then.""I was wrong. I was stupid back then, and I didn't know better. Can you give me another chance to court you?"Belle fell silent.Grayson suddenly took a step forward. Belle subconsciously tried to take a step back, but Grayson reached out and pulled her into his arms. He didn't give her a chance to back away.Holding her waist with one hand, he caressed her cheeks with the other. Lowering his gaze at her, he said, "Before I knew you, I never thought I would turn out like this someday."I wish I could be with you 24/7. I don't even want to do anything. I just want to look at you quietly."They all used to say that I'm a workaholic. Other than the necessary appointments, I spent most of my time on work. I was happy even if I worked until late at night."But now, I don't want to work anymore. I only think about you every day."
Jake was emotionless. "Mr. Page will be fine. You're dismissed, so go home for New Year's.""Huh? We don't have to watch over Mr. Page anymore?""That's right.""What if something happens to him?""Nothing will happen to him. Ms. Walters is around to protect him."The bodyguards were speechless.Scratching his head, the first bodyguard said, "Jake, the way you put it sounds like Mr. Page is an incredibly delicate man who can't even take care of himself. It's like he even needs a woman to protect him."Jake didn't explain too much. He remained emotionless as he repeated, "Go."The bodyguards had no choice but to do as they were told. They left the place.Jake took another glance at Grayson and Belle. Soon, he averted his gaze and disappeared.He had never been in love before, nor had he ever touched a woman. He had been training since he was young, and after growing up, he was always following Grayson.He didn't have a chance to get into contact with women, nor did he want to