Chapter 4 Richard

Hearing the voices outside, Richard shouted from his room, "Is that Eliam?"

"Yes, Grandpa. Have you gone to bed?" Eliam asked politely.

"Not yet. Come in."

Eliam pushed the door open and walked in with Rhonda.

Richard enthusiastically sat up on the sofa and smiled at Eliam and Rhonda, who walked inside hand in hand.

Finding a wife for Eliam this way was a last-ditch attempt. Richard was diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer and had only six months left. He was counting his days.

This was his last wish. He hoped to see his grandson get married and have children when he was still alive.

At first, he was worried the girl he had chosen in a rush might not be worthy of his grandson. But seeing Rhonda in person dispelled all his doubts and worries. She was more beautiful than in the photo. She looked gentle and approachable. Eliam and Rhonda seemed like a perfect match.

This reminded Richard of Eliam's ex-girlfriend, Diana Leslie. He couldn't help but worry.

From what he knew of his grandson, Eliam wouldn't prefer a quiet, demure girl like Rhonda.

Eliam was a grim, introverted man. He preferred lively, extroverted girls like Diana who could add fun and frolic to his otherwise monotonous, busy life.

Richard believed Eliam had agreed to marry Rhonda, who was totally different from Diana because he had lost faith in love.

Richard was worried that his grandson had become a cynic.

"So, you are Rhonda?" Richard waved at her.

Rhonda walked over and smiled at him politely. "Hello, Grandpa."

Richard took out a check for five hundred thousand dollars and handed it to Rhonda. "This is for you. I hope you two respect and love each other all your lives. I wish you two a cordial, happy marriage."

Rhonda bit her bottom lip guiltily as she took the check.

"Thank you, Grandpa," Eliam said flatly.

Rhonda's cheeks flamed with embarrassment. "Eliam and I will always be there for each other. Don't worry."

Richard nodded with satisfaction and looked at Eliam again.

Eliam understood Richard wanted him to promise as well.

However, he didn't utter a word.

Rhonda looked at him and saw his jaw clench and unclench. The struggle was evident on his face.

After a long while, Eliam finally said, "Don't worry, Grandpa. I will be responsible for Miss Horton."

He sounded reluctant, and Rhonda could tell he was forced to make the promise.

But regardless of his tone, Richard was relieved to hear the assurance from his grandson.

Then, Eliam took Rhonda to their bedroom.

The room looked simple yet opulent. There was even a cloakroom in the corner. An enormous wooden bed was placed in the middle of the room.

The quilt on the bed looked brand new. Besides, the tag on it wasn't removed yet.

Rhonda liked home accessories and furniture shopping. By looking at the tag, she could tell the quilt was expensive. It would have cost thousands of dollars.

She wondered if Eliam lived an extravagant life.

While she was lost in thought, Eliam handed a prenuptial agreement to her.

Rhonda was stunned. She took the agreement and cast a quizzical look at Eliam. She didn't know what he meant.

Eliam asked Rhonda to sit on the bed and pointed at the important clauses in the agreement.

"My grandfather has given you a check of five hundred thousand today. In addition to that, I will lend you five hundred thousand and transfer it to your account before this weekend.

I have an important thing to tell you. My grandfather is diagnosed with cancer. He has only six months left. I want him to be happy during this period, so you must cooperate with me."

Rhonda read the clause Eliam was pointing at. "During the period of marriage, there is no obligation to indulge in sex. Both parties are required to act like a loving couple, and exhibit intimate physical contact in public."

"And this one." Eliam pointed at the last clause and said, "Both parties agree to divorce in six months. The five hundred thousand dollars is considered as compensation for party B."

The agreement seemed like Eliam was paying her acting as his wife for six months.

Rhonda was surprised.

It meant she could regain her freedom six months later.

Eliam frowned when he saw the unconcealed joy on Rhonda's face.

He then added a supplementary clause. "Before the divorce procedure, Party B must repay the entire five hundred thousand she owes Party A. Otherwise, the marriage will continue to stand valid until the debt is paid off."

Rhonda was amused. She wondered if Eliam was afraid about her not repaying the debt.

He seemed like a rigorous man. No wonder he was a programmer.

"Check the agreement carefully. If you don't have any objection, sign it." Eliam handed her a pen.

Rhonda skimmed through the agreement. Eliam had already pointed out the key points. The gist of the remaining clauses stated that the couple didn't have to merge their properties after the marriage.

Rhonda had thought they would be sharing the household expenses. To her surprise, the agreement stated that Party A would bear all the expenses, and Party B required no financial contribution.

Rhonda signed her name without hesitation.

Eliam breathed a sigh of relief and took the agreement.

Just then, Maggie came in. She brought Rhonda's suitcase and told Eliam that Richard had sprained his waist when he got up from the sofa.

Eliam and Rhonda rushed to Richard's room.

Richard was leaning against the sofa in an uncomfortable position.

"Grandpa, are you okay? I'll call 911 now," Eliam said anxiously.

"Wait a minute!" Rhonda stepped forward and gently pressed several acupressure points on Richard's waist.

Once sure it was only a slight sprain, she said, "It's already late. Don't bother taking him to the hospital. I'll give Grandpa a massage and apply some ointment on his waist. He'll be fine in the morning."

Eliam cast a skeptical look at her.

At Richard's insistence, Rhonda took the medicinal oil and began massaging his waist.

Gradually, Richard's pain alleviated; he could move his hip.

Seeing this, Eliam breathed a sigh of relief.

After Rhonda finished the massage, Richard could stand up and walk again. He couldn't stop praising her excellent skills.

His face beamed with joy. He felt he had found a treasure.

"Rhonda, have a child with Eliam soon. Once you get pregnant, I'll give you this house as a gift. What do you say?"

Eliam began coughing violently when he heard that. "Grandpa, we can talk about it some other day. You better go to bed early."

The market value of the house was more than a billion dollars. Anyone would be tempted by the offer.

Eliam felt stressed.

Considering they were going to divorce in six months, Rhonda didn't want to give birth to a child just for a house.

The two returned to their room again. Eliam took a bank card from his pocket and handed it to Rhonda.

"This is my salary card. I want you to have it. You can pay all the household expenses, including Maggie's salary. We pay her nine thousand dollars per month."

"Whoa! Your servant's wage seems expensive!" Rhonda said as she took the card.

"Well, my aunt introduced her to us. She is reliable and capable."

"Do you mean I can make decisions for everything in our family from now on?"

"Of course, but if it is something important, you have to discuss it with me first."

"All right. What sort of things do you consider important? Can you give me an example?"

Eliam paused. He never thought about it before.

"How about hiring a servant with a less pay? Is that important?" Rhonda felt paying nine thousand dollars to a servant was expensive.

"No, it isn't. But is nine thousand dollars a high salary?"

"It's one-third of your salary. Isn't it high?" Rhonda looked at Eliam in surprise. She felt the two had entirely different perspectives.

Eliam frowned. He wanted to say his every shirt cost more than nine thousand.

"If you think it's too high, do what feels right." With that, Eliam took his pajamas and went into the bathroom.