The Ford family is the most powerful family in the City, with a fingers in both the legitimate and illegitimate worlds, its reach extending to every corner, and its businesses spanning multiple fields.
Old Man Ford, Elias Ford, is over seventy years old, yet still vigorous and robust. He has two sons and five grandsons. However, the fifth grandson is the illegitimate son of his second son, Amer Ford, and is not favored by the old man.
In the Ford family's meeting, this grandson is practically invisible. But today's meeting, after finishing the formal discussion. Old man Ford suddenly remembered this grandson. "Where is William?" His authoritative gaze swept across the room.
In a corner unnoticed by anyone, a young man raised his eyebrows in surprise, then leaned forward, looked up, and exposed his face to the light. It was an extraordinary enchanting face.
His refined and sharp features, a smooth and high nose bridge, pale and thin lips, and a no-less-than-perfect curve of his chin that seemed meticulously calculated from every angle, all shaped him like a sculpture. A slight smile would make him irresistibly charming.
"Grandfather, are you looking for me? His deep and sensual voice, like a jar of fine wine, easily intoxicated anyone.
His looks, demeanor, and voice, incessantly exuded sensuality and allure, mixed with a touch of grace, laziness, and nonchalance, captivating any woman effortlessly.
The Old Man couldn't help but frown. He disliked this grandson, and it wasn't just because he was illegitimate. More importantly, his looks were too beautiful and sensual, entirely unlike the descendants of the Ford family. A man looking like always seemed ominous.
"Come here," Although the old man didn't like him, after all, this grandson bore the Ford family's blood line and in the outside world he represented the Ford family.
William quietly stood up and walked over, his steps unconsciously exuding elegance and nobility. It was a kind of elegance and nobility that made others feel interior, as if everyone else was beneath him. His brothers all displayed expressions of disgust because of this feeling.
Yet William didn't notice any of this, instead, he looked at the phont in the Old man's hand. "This is Ciela Cole, the eldest daughter of the Cole family." Old man said nodded at the photo. "The Cole family is a scholarly family with a special status in the City. Although our Ford family is powerful, having risen from the underworld, our reputation lacks much. So we need to form an alliance through marriage with the Cole family.
William's brow moved slightly. "I have already reached an agreement with the Cole family, and they also agreed to let you marry Cielo. The wedding will be in a month." The old man said with the tone the he made the decision decisively, without feeling the need to asked William's opinion.
Everyone displayed understnading smiles. The Old man Ford's eldest grandson, Adan Ford, showed an ambiguous smile. "For something like this, William is the most suitable. When women see that face of his, none would unwilling to marry him."
Others laughed, with mocking tones, disdainful glances, all landing on William. Yet William remained calm, only seriously examining the girl in the photo.
This young lady from a scholar family was dressed tackily, wearing silly black-framed glasses, with a dull expression and ordinary features, with nothing commendable.
Perhaps that's why the old man assigned this task to William. If it were anyone else in the Ford family, they would fiercely oppose it, wouldn't they?
But William had no right to say 'no.' So he, merely smiled quietly and softly said, "Okay."
One month later.
The arranged marriage between the Ford and Cole family caught the attention of everyone in the City.
A grand wedding, a perfectly elegant groom, leaving all the girls in tears. However, the bride was such a disappointing presence.
Even in a wedding dress and heavy makeup, she couldn't hide her ordinary, even unattractive features, her dark skin, and her vacant expression.
When she and the groom stood together, everyone thought of one phrase: Beauty and the beast. But, the beauty was the groom, and the best was the bride.
The city's girls were heartbroken over such a pairing. Yet, the groom, William, kept a graceful smile, gently holding the bride, accepting the Ford family's mocking blessings.
He smiled and thanked everyone, seemingly with genuine gratitude and happiness. Such demeanor made all the malice seem petty.
Finally, the wedding ended.
The groom and the bride returned to their new home. This villa was a wedding gift from the Old man Ford. The old man gesture was partly out of consideration for Ciela. Although he didn't value this grandson much, he did value the marriage with the Cole family.
"Your room is upstairs, left turn to the first room, rest early." When they were finally alone, William said this to Ciela.
This was also the first thing he said to her. Ciela seemed startled, timidly nodding her head, murmuring, "You... You rest early too."
Her voice was rough and hoarse, making it impossible to hold any expectations from her. William smiled and nodded at her. Then went directly upstairs. Even at this moment, his demeanor was impeccably graceful. Even though his wedding was filled with malice, even though he had married such a bride.
What could possibly make him lose his composure? Watching William leave, Ciela's previous vacant timidly vanished. She observed her newlywed husband, with a hint of interest on her face, making her feature appear more lively.
Upon learning she was to marry William, Ciela had privately learned about him, even trying to get close to him. But the more she learned, the more she felt this person was mysterious and not simple. Even she couldn't help but be curious, what was hidden beneath this man's eternally calm and elegant visage? What was he thinking when faced with everyone's mocking gazes?
Ciela initially thought his calmness was an act, but she didn't expect that when alone with her, he would still remain polite, without displaying any disgust or impatience.
Perhaps her newlywed life wouldn't be as dull as she imagined. Ciela curled her lips into a smile and returned to her bedroom.
The next day. When William came downstairs, he unexpectedly found a busy figure in the living room.
He raised an eyebrow, realizing it was his newlywed wife Ciela. She was busy spreading jam on toast. Upon seeing him, she recoiled in fear, softly saying, "You... you're up, morning..."
"Morning." William nodded, approaching the dinning table, and raised an eyebrow again at the variety before him, "Did you make all this?"
Ciela nodded, "I didn't know if you preferred Chinese or Western breakfast, so I made both: you . . . you should try it." She smiled timidly, with a hint of flattery.
But such a smile only made her face look more ridiculous. William glanced at her and sat down at the table, "Thank you."
"No... no need to thank me!" Ciela waved her hand hurriedly, "It's what I should do!" "Please sit down and eat together." William slightly furrowed his brow. "You eat first, I'm not hungry." Ciela quickly waved her hand. William paused, holding his cup of coffee.