Chapter 4 Getting married

"Rosabella, are you feeling alright?" Paul Harold gazed into Rosabella Helga's eyes, a hint of concern and hesitation in his brows before he finally asked directly.

Rosabella raised her serene eyes and tilted her head, puzzled as she replied, "Of course, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"Just now, your uncle announced that your younger brother will inherit the family business. Didn't you notice?" Paul Harold paused momentarily, his expression serious as he looked at her.

Rosabella Helga furrowed her eyebrows slightly, and a sarcastic smile appeared on her lips. "Why should I pay attention? He is my father's biological son, so it's only natural for him to inherit the family business."

"But he is just a private child born to a woman of unknown background. You are the rightful heir, especially since back then, when your mother was close to death, didn't your stepmother promise to hand over the entire family's wealth to you?" Paul Harold tightened his grip on Rosabella's frail shoulders, a hint of dissatisfaction and anger in his voice.

Rosabella Helga's expression remained unchanged, and a fleeting smile crossed her lips as she remembered the pain she felt for her mother in her heart.

Back then, when her mother was about to pass away, her father promised to take care of her and even wanted to pass on the entire Helga family wealth to her. However, shortly after her mother's death, her father married her stepmother and indulged in extramarital affairs. She knew that her father's attitude towards her had changed ever since Richard Helga came into the picture.

It wasn't that she desired that family wealth; it was about experiencing firsthand how cold-hearted a person could be. When they were in love, her father made promises to her mother that lasted until her death, only for all those promises to vanish into thin air.

"Paul, don't I still have you? Even if my father no longer loves me as he used to, maybe it's more appropriate for Richard, my father's only son, to inherit the family business. Sooner or later, I'll have to get married anyway. As long as I have you by my side, it's enough." Rosabella Helga contemplated and spoke, her eyes shining with a radiant smile directed at Paul.

"You, you are too good, my dear!" Paul Harold playfully tweaked her petite nose, affectionately embracing her. "Rosabella, why don't we get married a little earlier? You can come and stay with me, away from the coldness of the Helga family."

Rosabella Helga smiled and reassured him, "Let's talk about marriage after I graduate. No matter what, Richard, my younger brother, wouldn't treat me like that."

"It's precise because he's my younger brother that I'm even more worried... afraid that he might cause trouble for me," Paul Harold sighed, lifting Rosabella Helga's cheeks with his hands and gazing into her eyes.

He couldn't forget the gaze of Richard Helga during the lavish feast. Although he stood far away, his eyes were fixed on Rosabella Helga. Others might not have noticed, but Paul, her boyfriend, was particularly sensitive to men with intentions toward his girlfriend. Richard Helga's gaze was possessive, like that of a man towards his woman, unlike the usual sibling bond. Paul hoped that Richard had overthought things; otherwise, the situation might not be as simple as it seemed.

"It's alright. Richard is my younger brother after all. How could he cause trouble for me?" Rosabella Helga reassured, but deep down, she felt extremely uneasy.

To demonstrate her determination and to appease her boyfriend, she took the initiative to tip-toe and lightly kissed Paul's lips.

Under the serene atmosphere of the moonlit garden, their figures embraced in a passionate kiss.

Unbeknownst to them, near an ancient towering tree, a pair of jet-black eyes now sparkled, reminiscent of blood-related radiance.

The night's cool breeze, the crescent moon in the pitch-black sky, and the enveloping silence exuded an eerie aura.

Rosabella Helga bid farewell to Paul Harold and made her way straight to her resting room.

It was nearing midnight, and the extravagant feast had come to an end. Family members retired to rest, returning the mansion to its inherent tranquility.

Rosabella Helga slowly pushed open the door to her room, refraining from turning on the lights. She relied on the moonlight in the dimly lit bedroom to find her way.

The window near the floor swayed as the wind brushed against it. Under the moonlight, a tall figure stood rigidly right next to the window.

"Who's there?" Rosabella Helga exclaimed in fear, her voice cautious. Her body involuntarily trembled.

Why would there be a man in her room at such a late hour?

Richard Helga slowly turned around, his deep eyes resembling polished black stones as he stared intently at her. The window partially obscures his tall figure, creating an imposing, almost suffocating presence.

"It's been a while, Rosabella Helga!" Richard Helga's handsome face revealed a chilly expression, and his thin lips uttered words as cold as ice.

"Richard, why are you here in my room like this?" Rosabella Helga's tone changed slightly, her nerves still tense. Even she couldn't understand why she felt so frightened in the presence of her own younger brother.

He continued to approach her without responding, step by step. In his eyes, there was a coldness akin to the depths of hell.

Rosabella Helga's heart began to palpitate, her face showing evident unease. She couldn't comprehend why she felt such fear in the presence of her own brother.

At first glance, besides his icy demeanor, nothing was overly terrifying about him. Could they have been apart for so long that there was a sense of unfamiliarity?

Perhaps it's because they last saw each other ten years ago. Rosabella Helga tried to comfort herself in her thoughts.

Rosabella Helga smiled and reassured him, "Let's wait until after I graduate to discuss marriage. Regardless, Richard is my younger brother, so he wouldn't see me that way."

"It's precisely because he's my younger brother that I'm even more concerned... I'm afraid he might cause trouble for me," Paul Harold sighed, raising his hands to gently hold Rosabella Helga's cheeks, his eyes fixed on her.

He couldn't forget the moment at the party when Richard Helga's gaze, though standing far away, was directed towards Rosabella Helga. Perhaps others didn't notice, but Paul was compassionate when it came to men with intentions toward his girlfriend. Richard Helga's gaze was possessive, like a man's towards his woman, unlike the simple affection between siblings. Paul hoped that Richard was overthinking. Otherwise, the situation might not be so simple.

"It's okay. Richard is my younger brother after all. How could he cause trouble for me?" Rosabella Helga reassured, although deep inside, she felt extremely uneasy.

To demonstrate her determination and reassure her boyfriend, she took the initiative to tip-toe and lightly kiss Paul. In the quiet, blossomed flower garden, their figures embraced in a kiss.

Unbeknownst to anyone, dark, obsidian-like eyes lurking in the ancient tree nearby, giving off an eerie light reminiscent of blood.

In the night's cold breeze, a crescent moon shone in the pitch-black sky, casting a serene backdrop for the couple locked in their embrace.

No one noticed that a tall figure stood steadfastly beside the window beneath an old giant tree.

"Who's there?" Rosabella Helga panicked, her voice trembling as she cautiously asked, her body involuntarily shivering.

It was already late, so why was a man in her room?

The man slowly turned around, his deep, intense eyes like polished black gemstones, fixedly gazing at her, partially obscured by the light coming in through the window, creating an oppressive atmosphere that left no room for words.

"It's been a long time, Rosabella Helga!" Richard Helga's handsome face revealed a chilling indifference as he spoke, his thin lips uttering icy words.

"It's you, Richard?" Rosabella Helga's expression changed abruptly, but her nerves remained tense. Why was Richard coming to her room at this hour?

Richard Helga stood still, his calm eyes continuously assessing her from top to bottom. He was still wearing the suit from the previous party, exuding an aura of cold arrogance and dangerous hostility.

"Who is he?" In an instant, Richard Helga stepped forward and stood before her, his gaze piercing and chilling, his hands clenched into fists.

Rosabella Helga, taken aback by his sudden question, struggled to comprehend and looked up at Richard Helga, confusion evident in her eyes.

"Just now, you were kissing a man in the flower garden. I asked who he is," Richard Helga's handsome eyebrows furrowed, his eyes sharp as a sword, and his clenched fists betrayed his simmering anger.

Rosabella Helga caught off guard, tried to make sense of his words. "Are you talking about Paul Harold? He's my boyfriend, and we're about to get married."

Perhaps Richard, having recently returned, was unaware of her relationship. It was best to clarify things with him to avoid any misunderstandings.

"Getting married?" Richard Helga's eyebrows furrowed even more profoundly, his voice slowly escaping his clenched teeth.

Rosabella Helga nodded and smiled, saying, "Yes, once I finish university, I'll marry Paul."

She made it clear that she wouldn't compete for the family fortune with him or do anything that would affect the Helga family. She shouldn't be his enemy.

But why did Richard Helga seem dissatisfied?

"I didn't mean that!" Richard Helga's thin lips curled up, his eyes filled with disdain.

"No?" Rosabella Helga furrowed her brows, feeling frustrated as she looked at him.

If that's not what he meant, then why did he come to her room at this hour? Wasn't it to warn her not to compete with him for the family fortune?

"Do you have something else to say?" Rosabella Helga adjusted her mood and spoke to Richard Helga.

After all, it was already late at night, and although they were siblings, it wasn't appropriate for a man and a woman to be alone in a room.

"You look beautiful." Richard Helga seemed reluctant to leave, his eyes never going her body, as if he was dissecting her with his icy gaze. Suddenly, he complimented her.

"Huh?... Thank you!" Rosabella Helga was surprised by his unexpected words, a little confused, but she smiled at him.

Richard Helga carefully evaluated her from head to toe, not missing the smallest detail. In his eyes, Rosabella Helga was like prey. He had been waiting for ten years, and finally, he had waited for this day.

"Why did you let him kiss you?" Richard Helga reached out and lightly touched her forehead while asking a question.

"I...?" Rosabella Helga's face stiffened. Innocence filled her eyes as she looked at him, a hint of fear appearing on her gentle face. He was her younger brother. Why was he asking her such a question? As an adult, it was customary for her to have a relationship with another man. Why did he care about this?

"From now on, you are not allowed to let any other man kiss you." Richard Helga brought his handsome face close to hers, his lips almost touching Rosabella Helga's, compellingly pressing against her.

Rosabella Helga stared at him intently, her heart suddenly heavy, and her mind lost consciousness for a few seconds.

"Do you understand?" Richard Helga's eagle-like eyes stared at her, his voice carrying a threatening tone.

Did she hear it wrong? Her younger brother demanded that she not allow any other man to kiss her. Was he genuinely concerned as her younger brother or...?

Rosabella Helga took a deep breath, focused her gaze on him, and said, "I am an adult, and it's normal for me to kiss my boyfriend. You don't need to worry about it. Please leave."

Richard Helga suddenly narrowed his eyes, his handsome face revealing a chilling anger. He stared intently at her, seemingly dissatisfied but choosing not to say anything. Yet, his eyes became even colder and more distant in the dim light.

Rosabella Helga, feeling uneasy, avoided his gaze. She didn't understand why Richard Helga made her feel somewhat afraid. It wasn't right for him to come to her room on his first night back.

They couldn't spend the entire night in the same room if he didn't leave. After a moment of thought, Rosabella Helga decided that it was better for her to leave this room first.

Entering the living room, Rosabella Helga couldn't sleep. Richard Helga had nothing in common ten years ago and ten years later.

The horizon revealed the daylight, and Rosabella Helga blinked her eyes open, interrupted by the alarm clock.

Today, she had two classes at the course and had to go to school.

Rubbing her eyes, unwillingly crawling out of bed, she changed into a fresh uniform.

Her father called her for breakfast when she was about to go to school.

However, she knew that when her father called her to have breakfast with him and Richard, there must be something he wanted to discuss.

At the dining table, the family gathered, Richard Helga sat on her left, and her father and stepmother sat on her right.

As Rosabella Helga sat down, Leonard Helga, her father, solemnly spoke, "I have to go to Russia this afternoon for business, and I'll be back in two weeks. During this time, Richard will manage the company, and everyone should assist him and help him get familiar with the company's affairs."

"Yes, Father, everyone will support Richard," the stepmother quickly replied, eager to convey her intentions to her father.

"Yes," Leonard Helga nodded, then shifted his gaze to Rosabella and said, "Rosabella, since you are currently in the internship phase, during this time, I want you to work as Richard's assistant in the company to support him. If he has any questions, help him."

"I understand, Father," Rosabella replied. Although surprised, she nodded in agreement.