Chapter 4 The Marriage Contract

When the Rice family initially agreed to the marriage, they had made outrageous demands—asking for not only a fifty-million-dollar wedding gift but also exclusive advertising rights for the Sterling Group. This single arrangement brought the Rice family over a hundred million dollars in annual revenue.

If it hadn't been for the fortune teller who predicted that the Rice daughter could bring good fortune and help William recover, Irene would never have agreed to this marriage. But now, given the situation, this girl seemed truly valuable. With one treatment, she had managed to subdue William's condition. Her medical skills even surpassed Richard's—a truly unexpected treasure.

'How could money compare to William's life?' Irene thought.

With this in mind, Irene promptly ordered. "Have Legal send the contract to the Rice family immediately."

"You can't be serious. You're actually giving it to the Rices?" Victoria's voice rose noticeably.

Irene shot her a withering glare. "The Sterling family does not go back on its word. Do it now."

Victoria was stunned. She had hoped to provoke Irene's anger toward the Rice family, but she had backfired on herself. With nowhere to direct her frustration, she glared fiercely at Alexander.

Caught in the middle, Alexander didn't dare raise his head. He picked up his phone and pretended to make a call as he walked out.

Irene turned and patted Anna's arm. "Don't worry, my dear. Since the Rice family honored their commitment to send you, the Sterling family will absolutely treat you well."

It seemed the Rice family hadn't informed the Sterlings that Anna was substituting for Megan. Realizing this, Anna spoke up. "Mrs. Sterling, there's something I should clarify. My name is Anna Rice. I'm Megan's sister."

At these words, Irene's expression grew serious.

"What do you mean?"

Victoria interrupted with a shocked exclamation. "I thought the Rice family only had one daughter. Where did you come from?"

"My mother was my father's first wife. Megan and I are half-sisters," Anna explained.

"Well, well! The Rice family has some nerve, pulling a switcheroo like this!" Victoria was excited—she'd been worried about finding a way to drive Anna out, and now the opportunity had presented itself.

Alexander had just returned from his call. Victoria pointed at Anna. "Darling, this woman isn't Megan. The Rice family is trying to fool us."

Alexander had a moment of realization. "I knew something was off! When I investigated the Rice daughter, she was just a pretty airhead. How did she suddenly become a medical expert?"

As he was speaking animatedly, Victoria pinched his waist hard.

Alexander yelped in pain. "Why are you pinching me, darling? I'm not lying! That Rice girl really was just well-endowed with—"

Alexander turned, only to realize that Irene was staring at him coldly. He sheepishly closed his mouth. "Mother, don't look at me like that. The Rice daughter really wasn't much. You were the one who insisted on the marriage. It had nothing to do with me."

"All of you, be quiet!" Irene turned to Anna and asked, "Anna, what are your thoughts on this marriage?"

Anna's expression remained calm. "I'm willing to marry into the Sterling family."

"What does the Sterling family look like to you? Do you think just anyone can join whenever they want? You may be willing, but we might not be!" Alexander scoffed.

Seeing Alexander interrupt again, Irene angrily struck her cane on the floor. "Shut your mouth! One more word and get out!"

Alexander didn't dare make another sound.

Irene looked at Anna. "Very well. Since you're willing, I'll make the decision to let you stay. But on one condition, you must take good care of William."

"Yes, Mrs. Sterling," Anna obediently replied.

"Why are you still calling me Mrs. Sterling?"

Anna hesitated, then tentatively said, "Grandmother?"

"Good. From now on, you are the Sterling family's granddaughter-in-law. If anyone bullies you, tell me, and I'll handle it!"

Irene gestured to a servant standing behind her. The servant quickly brought forward a jewelry box and opened it, revealing a complete set of exquisite jewelry.

Victoria's eyes filled with jealousy at the sight. This jewelry set came from the Andoria royal collection. Someone had once offered nine figures for it, but couldn't buy it from Irene.

Was she really going to give it to Anna?

Irene pushed the jewelry box toward Anna. "Anna, this is my welcome gift to you. Take it, and from now on, consider this place your home."

"Thank you, Grandmother."

Seeing Anna take it, Victoria couldn't contain herself. She gave Alexander a meaningful look.

Alexander immediately objected. "Mother, we can't give this to her!"

Irene glared at him. "If not her, then your wife?"

"That works too!"

Seeing Irene about to lose her temper, Alexander hastily explained. "Mother, that's not what I meant. I meant that you chose Megan because the fortune teller said she could bring William good luck. But she's not Megan!"

"Silence!" Irene commanded angrily. "I know what I'm doing."

"Since I've accepted this granddaughter-in-law, she is now part of the Sterling family!" Irene instructed the butler. "Spread the word—from today, Ms. Rice is the Sterling family's granddaughter-in-law. Everyone must treat her with respect."

The butler lowered his voice. "Yes, Mrs. Irene Sterling."

Irene looked at Anna. "In a while, someone will show you around the estate."

"Thank you, Grandmother."

Anna's obedience and humility made Irene very satisfied. A substitute bride? Perhaps this was heaven's best arrangement.

Hearing that Irene had made her decision, Alexander could only mutter under his breath. "This is too hasty."

Victoria was seething inside. She had planned for so long, clearing obstacles in her path. William had almost been out of the picture, and now Anna had appeared to disrupt everything!

Getting through the door meant nothing—the Sterling mansion wasn't a place where just anyone could stay!

She suppressed her anger, approached Anna, and said with a smile, "Ms. Rice, I'm William's aunt. Welcome."

Anna nodded slightly. "Hello, Aunt Victoria."

Victoria smiled, pursing her lips. "I apologize for being unprepared today and not having a welcome gift for you. I'll make it up to you another day."

"You're too kind, Aunt Victoria," Anna responded.

"Mrs. Irene Sterling, Mrs. Victoria Sterling, Mr. Sterling is awake," a servant announced.

Irene hurried back to William's bedroom and was relieved to see him sitting up.

"William, are you feeling unwell anywhere?" Irene asked with concern.

William shook his head, his gaze fixed on Anna. He remembered how she had swiftly used needles to subdue the Dogo Argentino moments ago. Her long hair had flowed around her as she moved.

His sharp, eagle-like gaze assessed her up and down. "So you're the Rice daughter?"

Alexander quickly interjected. "William, she's a fake! She's not the Ms. Rice we arranged for. The Rice family pulled a fast one on us!"

At these words, William's pupils contracted, a flash of cold fury in his eyes.

"How dare the Rice family act like this!" he said with a chilling laugh.