After Rhea Vale learned that her parents were "selling their daughter for glory," she hurried home.

As soon as she entered the house, she saw a mountain of gifts piled up by the door. She just stood there, placing her hands on her hips, and shouted loudly, "Dad! Mom! Come out and explain what this is!"

Hearing her voice, Rhea's mother came over and poked her flushed cheeks. "Look at you. You're in such a hurry. You don't look ladylike at all."

"If I didn't look ladylike, you would've sold me off by now. Looking ladylike doesn't do me any favors either," Rhea grumbled and kicked the presents that were in her way. Then, she angrily followed Mrs. Vale to the living room and sat down.

Mr. Vale sat a little ways away, sipping his tea silently. His usual cheery face was full of worry. Even Rhea's gentle and generous mother wore a concerned expression. Rhea rolled her eyes. She had just finished her final exams for her sophomore year, and before she could arrange her holiday plans, she heard that someone had come to her house to ask for her hand in marriage. Her parents had even accepted the betrothal gifts. Rhea hadn't asked for details and just hurried home.

But now, it seemed the situation wasn't quite what she had expected. No matter how she looked at it, her parents didn't seem to be selling her for wealth.

"Dad, Mom, those things..." Rhea raised her chin at the mountain of gifts by the door and asked, "Who sent them?"

Mr. Vale glanced at her, put down his teacup, and sighed. "The Ashford family."

Who?! Whose family?! Rhea was stunned. She sat on the sofa with a shocked expression, unable to move as if struck by lightning. No wonder her parents were so worried. The Vale family certainly couldn't afford to offend the Ashford family. In Rosewood City, the Ashfords were a behemoth that could shake the country's economy with a single move.

"Today, someone who identified himself as the Ashford family's butler came to our house with gifts. He said his master thinks that you're a perfect match for him and wants our families to join in marriage. He even made a lunch appointment for tomorrow. Your father and I wanted to refuse, but his demeanor was polite yet firm. He insisted on settling the matter. We didn't even have the chance to say no." Mrs. Vale held Rhea's hand, her well taken care of face full of worry. "Rhea, tell me, why are you acquainted with the Ashford family? How could Old Master Ashford...?"

Never mind Old Master Ashford Rhea had been so busy recently that she hadn't even had time to meet new people, much less a man from the Ashford family!

"Mother, I have no relationship with the Ashford family, and I don't know Old Master Ashford," Rhea said, cupping her chin as she thought. "As for what the Ashfords want, we can just ask them tomorrow." After all, with the Ashford family's influence, they had no choice but to attend the dinner, even if they didn't want to.

Mr. Vale and Mrs. Vale looked at each other, their eyes filled with uncontrollable worry.

...

The next day, Rhea and her parents arrived at the restaurant as promised. However, Rhea's usually fair and delicate face was now covered with red scars and blemishes. When she grinned, two of her front teeth were noticeably missing. Her hair was messy, as if it hadn't been washed in weeks. Mrs. Vale was shocked when she saw her, and Old Master Ashford would no doubt have an even worse reaction.

Mr. Vale coaxed Rhea forward and introduced her to Old Master Ashford. "Old Master Ashford, this is my daughter, Rhea Vale."

Old Master Ashford's hair was white, and his face was full of wrinkles. He looked at Rhea with a little doubt in his expression. "This... Are there any other girls in the Vale family who are of age?"

Mr. Vale coughed softly and shook his head. "No, Rhea is the only daughter in our family."

Old Master Ashford frowned, put on his glasses, and compared the photo he had of Rhea with the girl standing before him. In the photo, Rhea had delicate features, and when she smiled, her eyes were bright and sweet. No matter how hard he looked, this slovenly girl before him didn't resemble the girl in the photo.

Rhea could guess what Old Master Ashford was thinking. She deliberately used her finger to pick her nose, pretending to be inconsiderate and rude. "There's no need to look so closely. The person in the photo is me. You're too old to understand modern technology. Photo editing apps now have beauty filters that can make anyone look beautiful."

Old Master Ashford hesitated for a moment. If he were to set this girl up with his second son, Riven Ashford, his son might sever their father-son relationship entirely, right?

Rhea noticed Old Master Ashford's expression and instantly felt hopeful. Although she didn't know why the Ashford family had taken a liking to her, surely a wealthy and influential family wouldn't accept a rude and ugly woman as their daughter-in-law, right?

Mr. Vale took the opportunity to speak. "I'm sorry, Old Master Ashford. We've spoiled our dear Rhea, and perhaps too much so. We'll have someone return the gifts you sent over yesterday to the Ashford residence later. As for the marriage you mentioned earlier..."