I thought he'd be angry and scold me for asking for too much, but he just paused slightly and said, "Okay, see you tonight."
Three years ago, we co-founded a clothing brand—Evening•Banquet Couture, and it's thriving now.
Back then, Adrian Gordon was the one who invested, and I was in charge of design. For me, it was like getting something for nothing.
The company is now worth billions and could go public at any time. The "future" is bright, but to be with Sophie Miller, he is willing to give the company to me.
It seems they are the true lovebirds.
When I got up, looking at the wedding supplies piled up in the room, I felt it was an eyesore and wished I could set a fire and burn everything clean.
I called some people over and instructed them to pack everything related to the man in this house.
So thankful! Thank God I insisted on a bridal chamber only on the wedding night, otherwise, I would have to risk my own innocence, which would be even more disgusting.
After tidying up the house, I changed my clothes and carefully put on some makeup. Just as I was finishing up, I heard the sound of a car engine in the courtyard.
Adrian Gordon is back.
With Adrian Gordon came my would-have-been mother-in-law, Olivia Gray.
I was slightly stunned.
Is she afraid her son will suffer a loss, so the old mother is here to hold the fort?
"You're back." I sat on the sofa without getting up to greet them, exchanged pleasantries with Adrian Gordon, and glanced at Olivia Gray, "Auntie, you're here too."
Olivia Gray's expression was awkward, and she smiled, "Weren't you supposed to call me Mom by now? Why are you calling me Auntie again."
I smiled and said bluntly, "My mom died a long time ago."
The implication was, she didn't deserve it.
Olivia Gray's face looked like it was slashed with a knife; all expressions vanished instantly.
Adrian Gordon also looked displeased, and approached to say, "Lily Miller, the one who wronged you is me, don't blame it on my mom."
"Failure to teach is the father's fault, are you suggesting—should I blame your dad?"
"Lily Miller!" Adrian Gordon suddenly raised his voice, clearly angry.
I slightly pursed my lips, having an indifferent attitude.
Olivia Gray tugged Adrian Gordon and said softly, "Speak nicely, don't argue."
Only then did Adrian Gordon restrain his temper, lifted his pant leg, and sat down on the single-seat sofa next to me.
He took out a document and pushed it in front of me, "As you wish, the company is all yours, and our engagement is annulled."
I reached for the contract and flipped through it.
"The company is the company, but you also took my wedding dress, shouldn't you pay for it?" I glanced up at him, speaking lightly.
Adrian Gordon frowned; surely he didn't expect me to be this petty.
"How much is the wedding dress?" he asked.
"A friendly price, one million."
Olivia Gray was shocked, "Lily Miller, are you robbing us?"
"Auntie, do you want your son to tell more about what my work is worth in the fashion circle?" I looked over with a cold brow.
"..." The mother and son both fell silent, without a word.
"Furthermore, you can also not take it." I slightly shrugged, still indifferent, but changed the subject, "But the wedding dress is surely what Sophie wants, so no matter how expensive, President Gordon will buy it."
Adrian Gordon looked at me, his gaze revealing surprise.
I knew I hit the mark.
From the day Sophie stepped into the Miller household, anything I fancied, even if it was a pile of dog poop, she had to snatch it away.
A wedding dress and that's all, with money, where can't you buy one?
But Adrian Gordon insisted on taking the wedding dress I painstakingly made by hand, isn't that Sophie's intention?
Sure enough, Adrian Gordon hesitated and then nodded, "Alright, one million it is."
Olivia Gray looked at her son, "Are you crazy? Is money burning a hole in your pocket?"
"Mom, stay out of this." Adrian Gordon ignored Olivia Gray's objection and looked at me again, "Sophie is seriously ill and can't go to pick the jewelry for the wedding. She said since you've already chosen, why not let her have them as well."
Even though I was mentally prepared, I was still shocked to hear this.
"Adrian Gordon, if Sophie wanted my life, would you also hire a hitman to take my head?" I couldn't help but be sarcastic.
Adrian Gordon quickly denied, "Lily, Sophie is not like that, you misunderstand her too much. She is indeed very ill and can't prepare these, and you're no longer using them."
I quietly watched him defending another woman, unable to suppress the mocking smile at the corners of my mouth, "Adrian Gordon, do you still remember the promises you made to me?"
Said I saved his life and he wouldn't ever betray me, would love only me for a lifetime.
Adrian Gordon met my gaze, his face showing some embarrassment, replied without much confidence, "Lily, of course, I love you. I just feel sorry for her, pity her... she's so young, two years younger than you, and she's terminally ill with not much time left. She's your sister; knowing she's about to die, don't you feel any sadness?"
I recalled how when we were young, Sophie often cut up my clothes, threw dirty stuff into my bed, and laughed heartily when she saw me scream in fright.
But I didn't indulge her; I grabbed those disgusting things and chased her, trying to shove them into her mouth, scaring her to roll down the stairs.
The outcome was my biological dad and stepmom beat me together, and I was defiant, cutting all the clothes in their wardrobe to shreds when they weren't home.
The years I resisted the Miller Family, though I suffered a lot, they didn't fare much better, but I was outnumbered and eventually suppressed.
Nobody could understand how much I hated Sophie and my stepmother.
Now hearing Sophie is dying, how could I be sad?
I couldn't help but feel schadenfreude, "Well... at her youthful age, she's about to wither, my stepmother will certainly be heartbroken, what a pity..."
They actually didn't hear my sarcasm and instead, were moved and saddened by my words.
"Yes..." Olivia Gray's eyes were red, tears welling up, "Each child is like a piece of mother's flesh, which mother wouldn't be sad? All would rather die in their kid's place."
"Mom... your heart isn't good, the doctor said to avoid extreme joy and sorrow." Adrian Gordon immediately comforted his mom, then turned to me, his tone much softer, "Lily, I'll marry Sophie first, fulfill her last wish, and in the future... I'll definitely give you an even more grand and lavish wedding."
His brazen words left me dumbfounded.
What's that supposed to mean?
"Are you saying... you'll marry Sophie first, wait for her to die, and then marry me as a replacement?" I was so surprised I almost laughed aloud.
Even though I was not favored in my original family, as the young lady of the Miller Family, no matter my looks, talent, ability, or career, I am one of the top debutantes in the whole of Fallhaven.
Why would he, Adrian Gordon, think that after being cast aside, I would shamelessly wait for him to turn back and be a second choice?
If I wanted to marry, aren't there plenty of young eligible bachelors in this city for me to choose from?
Seeing my utterly shocked expression, Adrian Gordon's brow and eyes became increasingly guilty, yet he still disgustingly added, "You are the woman I love most, of course, I want to marry you. Don't put it so harshly, in my heart, you are my only wife."
Ugh—
I really couldn't take it anymore, grabbed the agreement, and signed it.
"You want the jewelry too? Fine, another million. Transfer the money to my account, and tomorrow, I'll personally send the whole set of jewels to the hospital, and visit my dear sister along the way."