"It's okay. I like this Rhea girl." Old Master Ashford put down the photo. His gaze was sharp and penetrating.
Rhea's heart clenched. She felt that Old Master Ashford had seen right past her ridiculous disguise. She calmed down and was about to speak when Old Master Ashford said, "I have something I want to say to Rhea alone. Look..."
Mr. and Mrs. Vale hesitated. Rhea secretly tugged on Mrs. Vale's arm. Only then did Mrs. Vale say, "Sure, I happen to feel a little restless. Hubby, let's go for a walk."
After Mr. Vale and Mrs. Vale left, Rhea pulled a chair out and sat down. Her behavior seemed rude and inconsiderate, but it was not annoying. One could disguise one's appearance, but one could not disguise one's eyes.
Old Master Ashford stared into Rhea's striking eyes for a while. "Little girl, do you not want to marry into the Ashford family? Do you know..."
"Representatives of the Ashford family don't need you to say much. I believe that everyone in the capital is aware of the Ashford family's status." Rhea's back was stiff. "I don't like to beat around the bush. Although I don't know why you like me, I really don't want to marry into the Ashford family. If you want to use wealth and power to tempt me, I'll make myself absolutely clear that I won't marry. If you use your influence to threaten me..."
Old Master Ashford raised his eyebrows and waited for her next words with interest.
Rhea smiled as she played with the cup on the table. "If I'm thinking of myself, no matter how much you use power to threaten me, it's pointless. No one can force me to do things that I don't want to do. If I'm forced to comply, I might even bite off a chunk of your family's wealth. However, I have parents. I can't let the wealth that they have worked so hard for in the majority of their lives disappear just because of a moment of impulse. I also don't want them to lead a wandering life because of me at their age. So, if you decide to choose me, I can't resist you. I can only agree to get married."
"You're a sensible little girl." Old Master Ashford stroked his beard. "I think July 16th is a good date. Let's set the wedding date on this day." He knew that Rhea did not want to marry into the Ashford family. However, the master said that his second son, Riven Ashford, was destined to marry Rhea. For his son's sake, and because he was already so old, he could only shamelessly threaten the little girl.
Things were exactly as Rhea had expected. If she had succeeded in persuading Old Master Ashford, the feared Ashford family would not have lived up to its reputation. She accepted her fate and wiped her face. "Alright, I can get married, but I have a condition."
Old Master Ashford said, "Tell me."
Rhea said, "According to the normal procedure of a blind date, apart from the parents, the husband and wife should also be present. However, your son did not show up, which means that he is not satisfied with this marriage. I have no control over the internal affairs of the Ashford family, nor do I care about the strained relationship between a father and a son. I am just a little unlucky that I was forced into your fight. So... I need you to guarantee the safety of my parents and my family's company, Old Master Ashford." She did not want to become collateral damage from the Ashford family's disagreements.
This condition was not difficult to fulfill. Old Master Ashford nodded. "Fine, you have my word."
...
After Mr. Vale and Mrs. Vale came back, they heard that Rhea's wedding date had been set. Their jaws dropped.
Rhea smiled at them. "Father, Mother, now you don't have to worry that I won't be able to get married in the future."
In the CEO's office of the Ashford Corporation, the man who was working behind the desk had a cold, handsome face. His gaze was sharp, and his eyebrows were subtly menacing. The bridge of his nose was high, and his thin lips were distinct. He was unapproachable.
When Old Master Ashford pushed open the door and entered, the man only cast him a cold glance before continuing to work. Old Master Ashford did not mind. He sat down on the sofa and announced, "Your wedding date is set for the 16th of July. Clear your schedule for that day in advance."
Riven Ashford paused in the middle of signing a document. He raised his head to look at his father, who was sitting on the sofa. Old Master Ashford picked up the teacup and brought it to his lips. He gently blew on the tea's surface. "I understand your persistence in not getting married for so many years, but think about your mother. She wouldn't want to see you in heaven unmarried and alone." He paused, then he continued, "The woman is from the Vale family. Her name is Rhea Vale. She's quite an interesting girl. She's just twenty years old this year, a sophomore."