Chapter 2 Sudden Marriage

Rhonda's heart leaped to her throat.

She couldn't process the information. Her head began spinning. She took deep breaths and comforted her brother, "Don't worry. I'll transfer ten hundred thousand to your account soon. You handle the hospital formalities for Grandma first. I'll figure out a way to raise money for the surgery fee."

Rhonda hung up the phone, gathered all the money she had saved, and transferred it to her brother right away.

Rhonda's grandmother raised her and her brother all by herself. She had faced a lot of struggle over the years, and the poor woman was diagnosed with cancer now. Rhonda wanted to save her beloved grandmother at all costs.

But she had no idea how to raise the money in such a short time. Even if she tried selling the apartment, she wouldn't find a buyer at such short notice.

Rhonda thought of borrowing money from others.

She began to call her high school and college friends one after the other.

However, it didn't help much. She made several calls but couldn't raise enough money. Some of her classmates didn't bother to even answer her calls.

Just as she was desperate to find a way, a matrimonial ad on the Internet caught her attention.

The specifics of the ad seemed simple.

The man was an employee of a renowned company. He was seeking a young, loving lady to marry. He was willing to offer five hundred thousand dollars to his bride. The only condition was for his partner to look after his grandfather for six months.

Rhonda's heart stuttered when she saw the amount of money.

She didn't have time to think whether it was legitimate or not. She immediately filled out the questionnaire. Ten minutes later, she dialed the number on the ad.

The line was busy the entire time, and Rhonda's stomach churned with anxiety. She was worried someone else would get the five hundred thousand dollars ahead of her.

Finally, the phone connected.

However, the line was silent. No one spoke.

Thinking it must be a scam, Rhonda hung up the phone.

Seeing the girl had hung up the phone because his grandson hadn't said a word, Richard Sloan became anxious. He poked his grandson hard with his cane.

He ordered the latter to call the girl back right away.

Rhonda's phone rang again. After a moment's hesitation, she answered the call.

This time, she heard a deep, resonant voice from the other end of the line.

"Sorry, the signal was bad earlier."

"It doesn't matter."

"All right. I'll begin by telling you about me.

My name is Eliam Sloan; I'm twenty-eight years old. I work at an IT company as a programmer. I earn thirty thousand dollars a month, excluding the year-end bonus. I have a house and a car. I don't have any bad habits."

After a moment's pause, Eliam stressed, "My grandpa is sick, and I need to look after him. Therefore, I will be living with him for six months after getting married. I hope you can be a homemaker. I will give all my salary to you. Of course, you have the right to work on condition that you still have time to look after him. Are you willing to accept all these?"

Rhonda was a little hesitant. Apart from the fact that she had to give up her job to take care of the man's grandfather, she felt the offer was quite tempting.

Besides, he didn't force her to be a homemaker. It was just a little difficult to balance her duty and job on her part.

However, looking from that point of view, his conditions seemed reasonable.

Rhonda thought for a while and agreed.

"I'll give you five hundred thousand dollars. Do you have any other requests?"

"No," Rhonda replied decisively.

Feeling it was too good to be true, Eliam asked suspiciously, "Really? I mean, for instance, do you want your name on the grant deed, or..."

"No need. Your property belongs to you, and mine belongs to me."

Eliam fell silent again.

Just as Rhonda thought the signal was weak, she heard Eliam's deep voice again.

"Okay. Bring your ID proof and come to the City Hall tomorrow morning. I will meet you there at nine o'clock." With that, he hung up the phone.

She couldn't believe they were going to register their marriage soon. Everything was happening too fast, and she couldn't wrap her head around it.

Rhonda didn't get a chance to ask him when he would give her the five hundred thousand dollars.

Her brother called again and said that her Grandma's surgery would cost at least one million.

Rhonda even suspected someone was trying to cheat her brother for the money. But when Rhonda went to the hospital and saw the operation notice, she eventually accepted the cruel reality.

Her mind was a mess; she stayed up all night.

The next morning, Rhonda went out. She looked pale and dark circles surrounded her tired eyes.

She arrived at the City Hall at nine o'clock.

The holiday had just ended. Many people were waiting outside the City Hall. They had also come to get married.

Rhonda noticed a man in the crowd. He was wearing a dark blue, neatly ironed suit. The top button of his shirt was open, revealing the man's Adam's apple. He wasn't wearing any accessories apart from his watch. He looked well-groomed and majestic.

The thin bangs on his forehead that glistened like amber in the morning light curled up slightly with his every step. His long, thick eyelashes seemed to hide his emotions.

Rhonda looked at the man and then at the photo on her cellphone. Just as she wondered whether the handsome man was her future husband, the man walked up to her.

The two greeted each other politely and walked into the City Hall together.

Eliam got a number, and the two found chairs to sit and wait.

Rhonda, after hesitating for a long while, finally spoke. "Mr. Sloan, I'm sorry. Before we register the marriage, can I make a small request?"

Eliam nodded. "Go ahead."

"In addition to the money you have promised, can I borrow another five hundred thousand from you?" she asked cautiously.

Eliam turned and studied her face with obvious displeasure.

He recalled what his grandpa said when they were reviewing the profile of this woman yesterday.

"This girl has studied nursing. She comes from a simple family. Moreover, she looks pretty and seems like a lovely girl. From what I see, I feel she is a simple woman."

It all seemed deceptive now.

"I am in urgent need of money," Rhonda hurriedly explained. "I will repay the debt as soon as I sell my apartment. I can even pay with interest if you want."

"Why didn't you mention it on the phone yesterday?" Eliam sprang up and darted out. He felt cheated.

Just as he arrived at the gate, he received a call from Richard.

"Did you register your marriage?"

Meantime, Rhonda caught up with him. She emphasized she was really in trouble and wasn't a liar.

Hearing the excitement and expectation in his grandfather's voice, Eliam finally compromised.

Richard's illness was incurable, and he could only live for six months. His only wish was to see Eliam marry and have children.

Eliam hung up the phone and examined Rhonda's face. "First, this is not a small amount. I promise to try my best to arrange it for you. Second, when you get money, you must repay me immediately. Third, don't expect me to help you again!"

Rhonda nodded earnestly. "I will give the money back to you as soon as I sell my apartment. I promise. And I won't borrow money from you again. You can trust me."

Eliam turned around and walked back inside without saying a word.

Soon, it was Rhonda and Eliam's turn to go through the formalities. He was texting the entire time. Rhonda had no idea what he was busy doing.

After finishing all the formalities and registering their marriage, Eliam said that he needed to return to the company. He asked Rhonda to go home, pack her belongings, and move into his house tomorrow night.

Then, Eliam took a taxi and left.

Rhonda wondered if she had gone too far. He had promised to give her five hundred thousand, but she borrowed another five hundred thousand. No wonder he seemed cold to her.

However, Rhonda had no choice.

Meantime, Eliam got out of the taxi at the next intersection, and walked toward a black Bentley parked on the side of the road.

He called the butler on the way and asked him to remove all valuable furnishings and ornaments in his grandpa's house and replace them with second-hand ones in the market.

He also asked the butler to buy him a second-hand car within one hundred thousand dollars.

Eliam got into the black Bentley and removed his diamond watch worth ten million.

Then, he checked himself again.

After making sure he had no valuables except his suit and phone, Eliam breathed a sigh of relief.

Rhonda obviously had no clue that she had just married a billionaire.

She went to a real estate agent, listed her apartment on sale on the internet, and then hurried to the company.

As soon as Rhonda entered the company, she saw Cristina complaining about her to the receptionist.