Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Late at night, the atmosphere in the old Smith family's home was filled with chatter as they gathered for dinner.
The current head of the family, Edward Smith, had three sons: George, Richard, and Andrew.
George had two children named Stellah and Samuel, while Richard had two children named Stacey and Liam.
Andrew, the least favored son, had a daughter named Sandra, who was the youngest grandchild and the most despised among them all due to her father's lack of favor with the Smith family elders and her mother's unknown lineage.
Sandra had been raised by a close friend of the late former head of the Smith family for more than eighteen years. She had only returned two years ago, following the friend's death under mysterious circumstances. Since her return, Sandra's cousins and nephews had never shown her any respect or regard. However, she endured their mistreatment, not wanting to cause trouble for her beloved parents who adored her despite not raising her themselves.
While they were enjoying their supper, they heard what sounded like voices outside their home. Curious, Edward asked the maid about the commotion. The maid replied, "The Anthony family is here to meet with you." Edward was surprised but allowed them to enter the house.
After finishing their meal, Edward led the family, followed by his favorite sons and grandchildren, into the sitting room. They found the Anthony family sitting in their chairs, looking around with a mix of awe and disdain for the opulent surroundings.
Edward inquired, "What brings you here?"
William, the personal assistant of Levy Anthony, the youngest scion of the Anthony family, spoke up. "We are here for the marriage agreement between our families."
This revelation shocked the Smith family, particularly the younger generation, who had no knowledge of any marriage contract between their family and the impoverished Anthony family, especially after Levy Anthony took over. He was known as a good-for-nothing man with no assets to his name. The idea of such a marriage alliance, particularly with Levy, was unimaginable to them.
Edward looked at his favorite granddaughters and couldn't bear the thought of them sacrificing their future by marrying into the Anthony family. Stellah, the eldest granddaughter, who was already engaged to Mark Jackson from one of the wealthy families in City A, spoke up, "Grandpa! I can't marry Levy Anthony because I am engaged to Mark."
Stacey, who was currently in her second year of university, working as an actress, and dating the boss of Eza Entertainment Company, chimed in, "Grandpa, I have a future to look after. Besides, I am in a committed relationship with Jack. We are planning to get engaged soon. This agreement was made by two deceased members of our family. It holds no weight."
Before Old Man Smith could say anything, Richard, his second son and Stacey's father, who had a strained relationship with his younger brother Andrew, interjected, "Dad, the agreement stipulates that the youngest daughter of the Smith family must marry the first grandson of the Anthony family. Sandra is the youngest granddaughter of the Smith family, so why can't she marry him?"
Sandra's father quickly responded, "No, Dad! Please don't ruin my daughter's life like this. She has so much ahead of her, and besides, she is my only child. You can't let her life end like this. She is still young, only twenty, and she has just returned."
His mother asked him, "What does your useless daughter do for the family? She's not studying, she's stupid and ugly, or do you want to marry your nieces who are in a relationship? Aside from that, this is an agreement left by the old man Smith before he died, and it should be fulfilled!"
"That was your grandfather's final desire, so stop being self-centered and envious of your eldest brothers, nephew, and niece," Sandra's grandparents chastised.
"If you don't let your daughter marry into the Anthony family, you can pack your belongings with your worthless wife and daughter and leave this place," Sandra's father was told by his own father.
In that moment, a young woman, around the age of nineteen or twenty, gracefully entered the room. She wore a long black dress and had her hair tied back in a ponytail. Her ethereal beauty seemed otherworldly as she made her way to her parents and grandparents. She cast cold, piercing eyes at the Smith family, as if capable of murder, then shifted her gaze to the Anthony family for a few seconds before returning to her parents.
"I will get married to Levy Anthony, but I have a condition," she declared.
Her uncles, nephews, and cousins sneered, accusing her of greed and trying to take advantage of the situation to claim the family fortune. Her grandparents scorned her as a good-for-nothing and expressed their disbelief at her pretentious act, firmly asserting that she would receive nothing from them. They scorned her parents as well, referring to her mother as a bastard and her father as stupid.
Unable to tolerate the insults any longer, Sandra's father announced his decision to leave the Smith family with his wife and daughter. Old Smith laughed heartily, reminding him that he had signed an agreement to work exclusively for the Smith family, leaving him with the dilemma of supporting his family without any external employment.
But Sandra's voice rang out harshly, silencing the room. "Enough!" she exclaimed.
"Just shut up! The deal clearly states that this marriage must happen, or the Smith family's properties will be given to charities. If I don't agree to marry, it means either your favorite granddaughters must marry or you will have to bid farewell to your luxurious life."
Her words caused a sudden silence as everyone in the room remembered the agreement. It explicitly stated that either one of the granddaughters had to marry, or the family would lose their comfortable lifestyle.