Chapter 3

After work, Valerie anxiously waited for Howard outside the company.

Finally, a black Volkswagen slowly drove into view. Joseph quickly jumped out of the driver's seat and took Valerie's worn suitcase, placing it in the trunk.

Valerie opened the car door, and slid into the backseat next to Howard. Her gaze scanned the interior, which was simple yet luxurious.

She turned slightly toward Howard, curiosity in her eyes, and after a moment's hesitation, softly asked, "Is this your car? And, um, he is your..." Her voice carried a barely noticeable tremor, as if she feared her questions might be too forward.

Howard turned to look at her, a faint smile on his face. "This is the company car. Joseph is my cousin. I've worked at Carter Group for years. Through hard work, I've achieved a position where I could have Joseph as my assistant."

Valerie nodded slightly, a flash of admiration in her eyes. "That's really impressive. It's hard enough to make your mark in such a competitive field, let alone having to overcome..." Her voice trailed off as her gaze fell on Howard's wheelchair, realizing her words might be inappropriate.

"Is that your only piece of luggage?" Howard asked gently.

"Yes," Valerie answered, her voice tinged with discomfort.

Howard look at her, his eyes falling on the fading bruise on her face. His gaze instantly softened, filling with compassion.

He already knew about Valerie's past from Joseph's investigation—her mother's early death, her father's gambling addiction, her brother's reckless spending, and the painful betrayal of her engagement. This woman beside him possessed the same strength he did.

"Where's your home?" Howard asked, though he already knew the answer from his investigation. "I've prepared some gifts. As your new husband, I should pay a visit to your family."

"There's no need to go back. I don't have a home," Valerie resisted, her eyes instantly welling up.

"Just this once, for formality's sake. Afterward, if you don't want to return, I won't force you." Howard's voice remained gentle, sending a wave of warmth through Valerie.

She bit her lip, eventually nodding. Besides, she wanted to retrieve her mother's portrait, her most precious possession in the world.

The car drove toward Maple Street. At the entrance to the alley, they witnessed a shocking scene. Daniel was kneeling on the ground, surrounded by eight men in crisp suits who looked like wolves waiting for their prey.

"Daniel, where's the two hundred thousand dollars you promised? How can you not have it today? Are you playing me?" The leader, a tall man with a hideous scar, had a cigarette dangling from his lips. Smoke swirled around his face, adding to his menacing appearance. He pressed his foot against Daniel's face, grinding his shoe sole against Daniel's cheek.

Daniel screamed in pain, "I'll pay you back, I swear! My daughter just got dumped, and that money is gone. Give me a few more days, I promise..." His voice was tearful, his face full of fear and desperation.

Before he could finish, the group began kicking him mercilessly. Their movements were rough and vicious. Daniel rolled on the ground in agony, arms covering his head, trying to protect himself.

Sitting in the car, Valerie felt her anger explode at the sight. "Stop it right now or I'm calling the police!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the alley, trembling slightly but full of determination.

"Well, well, the little lady's back?" The man turned his head, leering at Valerie's chest with a lustful gaze. He spat on the ground. "How about this—you become my mistress, and your dad's debt is wiped clean." His voice carried a hint of smugness, as if announcing an irresistible deal.

"Go ahead, let her go with you. She's got a nice body, dresses provocatively, always flirting around anyway!" Daniel agreed shamelessly. At this moment, to escape his debt, he had completely lost his dignity as a father.

Valerie's face flushed with anger. "Dad, what are you saying?" Tears welled in her eyes.

The men advanced toward Valerie like madmen, closing in menacingly. Howard quickly pulled Valerie behind him, his gaze steadfast and calm.

Joseph quickly charged at the men. In no time, the eight burly men were lying on the ground, defeated.

After dealing with them, Joseph took two hundred thousand dollars in cash from the trunk and threw it at them. "Get lost! The next time I see you, you'll be in prison!"

The men grabbed the money in fear and fled in panic. Their figures looked pathetic in the sunset and soon disappeared at the end of the street.

Daniel got up, cursing, and finally noticed Howard beside Valerie. His eyes flashed with greed. As he reached out to grab and hit his daughter, Howard swiftly blocked his hand.

"Dad, aren't you going to invite me in?" Howard's words n left Daniel's jaw nearly dropping in shock.

Inside, the dim light revealed peeling walls and worn - out furniture that stank of must. Daniel closed his mouth when he saw the cash box and several expensive gifts on the table. His gaze fell on Howard's disabled legs, and he cleared his throat arrogantly.

"My daughter graduated from a top university and is now a manager at Aurelia Holdings. And you, a cripple, think you can marry her?" He sneered, his eyes full of scorn.

Valerie thought her father had reconsidered, but his next words once again drove her to despair.

"Three hundred thousand dollars aren't enough. It has to be at least five hundred thousand dollars!" His tone was firm, as if negotiating a business deal.

"Dad, he just helped you pay off your debt with two hundred thousand dollars. What more do you want? Do you really think you're selling your daughter?" Valerie bit her lip as she spoke, her pained expression making Howard's heart tighten. Her eyes welled up again, tears glistening in the dim light.

Howard held Valerie's hand tightly; his hand was warm and strong, as if transmitting a kind of power. He signaled Joseph to place three hundred thousand dollars on the table.

"A total of eight hundred thousand dollars. This is my sincerity," he said steadily, looking directly into Daniel's eyes.

"If you don't agree, we'll divorce right now, and you'll owe me twenty thousand dollars." His voice carried a hint of threat, his tone brooking no argument.

"I'm sure you can do the math," he added, a flash of coldness in his eyes.

Daniel's eyes darted around, calculating how to squeeze more money from them. A sly smile appeared on his face, like a cunning fox.

"Marrying my daughter is possible. I'm getting old and can't move around easily. She needs to support her brother. You'll have to give me ten thousand dollars a month for living expenses to take her away." His voice carried a hint of smugness, as if proud of his own cleverness.

"Deal." Howard's quick response made Daniel think he had misheard. His eyes widened in surprise.

Daniel stammered for a few seconds, then immediately changed his demeanor, fawning as he poured a cup of tea. His movements were exaggerated and affected, his face plastered with a smile.

"Really? Then write me a contract. How do I know you're not tricking me?" His voice held a hint of suspicion, but his eyes gleamed with greed.

Looking at Daniel's greedy and cunning face, Valerie realized that to her father, her marriage was nothing but a transaction. Her fingers unconsciously tightened, nails digging deep into her palms.

Howard's eyes darkened as he stared at Daniel. "Before that, you have to agree to my conditions," he said.