SWNOVELS Chapter 16
Chapter 16 Confirming The Relationship
Neither Bill nor Maria had expected that Anthony would readily accept this engagement.
Of course, Bill was overjoyed.He was worrying that this wouldn't end nicely, but the outcome was even much better than he
expected.With this done deal, the engagement wouldn't be canceled and the relations between the two families wouldn't
deteriorate either.
Although Maria was not Bill's biological daughter, he still had the luxury of becoming the Wilsons’ in-law, and he didn't even have
to sacrifice his own daughter.He couldn't imagine a more perfect situation than this.
Anthony might have been deprived of their family's right to inheritance, but Bill still felt very lucky.
Just to be called a father-in-law by one of the Wilsons was such a great feat.
"Anyway, Mr.Jenkins, may I talk with Miss Maria alone, please?"
Anthony's voice was so gentle and full of respect.
Upon hearing this, Bill couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear before nodding repeatedly.
"Of course! No problem.In fact, I am not going to disturb you at all.I will go home first, so please have a good time, you two."
Bill left briskly, and his intention couldn't be more obvious.
Looking at his receding back, Maria subtly rolled her eyes.
And then, she couldn't help but lightly shake her head in confusion.
If Bill was so simple-minded, then how did he become rich and successful in the cruel world of business? When only the two of
them were left, an awkward silence filled the room, and the atmosphere also felt kind of tense.
After all, even though it was just an accident, Maria still discovered Anthony's secret—he was only pretending to be disabled.
She then surmised that Anthony accepting the engagement was merely part of another scheme.
Would she be silenced? Maria had watched some TV series where the villains plotted murder because their secret was exposed.
With a wild imagination, she supposed that a prominent person like Anthony might really pull off something like that.
But while she was lost in her thoughts, Anthony broke the silence.
"Miss Maria..."
"Yes?"
"I'll be upfront.We actually don't have to get married for real.I just want us to be engaged for some time.Will you please
cooperate with me?"
"Wait...What? So basically, you want a pretend engagement?"
Maria was a little surprised.She didn't expect that Anthony had something like this in mind.
But why? Why did he need to do this in the first place? Because of her natural distrust of strangers, Maria didn't find any reason
to agree.
Besides, the main reason why she followed Bill to Sheffield was because she had something to do here.She didn't want to
complicate her life with this facade.
Obviously, there was a hidden story as to why Anthony needed to pretend that he was disabled.
However, it had nothing to do with Maria, and she was not interested in being involved.
"Well, can I refuse?" Maria asked casually.
Anthony didn't answer at once, but let out a sly grin.
"Miss Maria, I think you still remember what just happened in the restroom earlier.To answer your question back then, yes, you
ought to be held responsible for it.Are you not going to give me your word?" Maria was rendered speechless.She took a deep
breath and held back her anger to the best of her ability.Her hunch was right.
This man was indeed scheming.
Maria fell into a dilemma.
Of course, she didn't barge into the men's room on purpose, but still, she had to prepare for the consequences of her actions.
"The engagement will only last for at most a year.After that, I promise to announce a peaceful breakup with you.So, please
cooperate with me and play the role of my fiancee within a year.That's all I ask.In addition to the nominal engagement, you only
need to accompany mein attending all kinds of public social activities, including but not limited to parties, international economic
summits, family banquets, and the likes.Of course, I won't force you to live with me, sleep with me, or have any intimate
interactions in public such as kissing.More importantly, during that one year that we're engaged, whenever the Jenkins family
needs support from the Wilson family, I can readily lend some help as long as it is reasonable.As for the matter that I pretend to
be disabled, you have to keep it a secret.You cannot tell anyone no matter what.So, Miss Maria, do you still have any
objections?"
Surprisingly, Maria found that the conditions offered to her were actually lax.
Anthony's tone was also neither arrogant nor bossy.
Because of this, Maria couldn't really find a reason to refuse.
Besides, she came with Bill to Jade Hotel today with the intention of promising to get engaged to Anthony.
"No, I don't."
Eventually, Maria agreed.
"I see.That's good then."
Slightly breathing a sigh of relief, Anthony took out his phone.
"Let me have your phone number.I'll add you on WhatsApp."
Nodding perfunctorily, Maria also took out her phone.
"Is that a new phone?"
Anthony asked casually upon seeing her iPhone.
"Uh, yes,"
Maria answered and looked at Anthony's phone, which seemed to be newly bought as well.
Bill didn't know that Maria already had one, and she also couldn't take out the phone issued by Heaven in public.
Therefore, before they met with Anthony, Bill bought her a phone.
Bill wasn't really being nice to Maria.
However, this was going to be the first time that the two would meet each other.It was only expected that Maria at least
possessed the latest model of mobile phone to keep up appearances.
Maria then added Anthony with her newly registered WhatsApp account and asked, "Is there anything else you need from me? If
none, can I leave now?"
"Oh, just one last thing.This is the key to one of my villas.Please keep it with you."
With that, Anthony held up a key in front of Maria.
"What?"
Maria was utterly dumbfounded.
Why would he need to give her this? Didn't he just say that he wouldn't force her to live with him?