Chapter 3 Murder at the States

After Ferdinand and Helen exited the car, he reached out to hold her arm, but she quickly pulled away, her frustration evident. "What were your parents saying? Why did it feel like they knew me already? We just met last night, right? And why am I suddenly your fiancée? When did you propose? When did you put a ring on my finger? When?" she yelled, her voice filled with confusion and anger.

Ferdinand let out a heavy sigh before reaching out to hold her arm again. "I can explain," he said calmly.

"Explain? That's all I've been waiting for - your explanation. Are you just using me? Do you actually love me, Ferdinand? Were last night's words all just a lie?" she questioned loudly, tears starting to well up in her eyes.

"No, I swear," he said softly. "Actually, the first time I saw you was at the subway. You were trying to get on, and that was the very first time I laid eyes on you. I fell in love with you at first sight. Luckily, my secretary was with me, and I asked him to find out more about you. He got your pictures and told me some personal information."

She gasped, her expression revealing her shock.

"I'm truly sorry if it seemed like I was intruding in your life, but I genuinely fell in love with you. Then, my parents, who were always pressuring me to get married, decided to arrange a marriage for me. That was when I had enough and told them that I would bring my own wife. I followed you that day, and that's how I ended up at the club. I... I couldn't keep my feelings bottled up. It was either I pursued you and fell into my father's trap, or I lost you. I had no choice but to gather the courage to ask you out. That's how we got here," he explained, watching Helen as she seemed to grasp his perspective now.

She let out a deep sigh, rubbing her eyes, "I...I'm speechless. Who would've imagined that a highly successful and wealthy CEO had feelings for me and that he was just a pawn in his father's game."

"Well, now you know," he mumbled before dropping down on one knee.

"What...What's happening?" she asked, turning her head in bewilderment.

"Please, marry me," he asked, holding out the ring toward her.

With tears in her eyes, she extended her hand and accepted the ring. Ferdinand slid it onto her finger, kissed her hand, and then stood up, pulling her into a hug. Their eyes met, and they shared a tender kiss.

Later that night, when Helen arrived home, she recounted the events to her brother, Ethan, who let out a shocked scream, "What do you mean? Why would you agree to marry someone you just met? Wasn't it only last night that you met him?"

"You won't get it, Ethan," Helen hissed, "I just need your support. Plus, this man is wealthy! Look up CEO Ferdinand Moore, check out his empire. He can take care of your education and bills, you know."

"No!" he snapped, "I won't endorse that relationship or some foolish marriage. Drop him. I'm capable of handling my academic expenses on my own."

"Listen, Ethan, you can't dictate to me. We love each other deeply."

"How can you be sure he loves you back?"

"Don't doubt me, Ethan. I'm not blind. You know what, I'm cutting ties with you as my brother. You don't deserve that title. I'm so let down by you," she declared.

"I've never felt this let down by you, Helen, but don't say I didn't warn you. Don't come running to me later, and watch your step. We'll chat later, I need to head to class now," he stated.

"Don't you dare call me your sister again. I disowned you, remember?" she yelled, and Ethan promptly ended the call.

Helen snarled and tossed her phone aside, glancing at her finger with a smile as she kissed the ring. Before retiring to bed, she and Ferdinand exchanged messages.

The next morning, Helen awoke to a text from Ferdinand saying, "We are getting married today."

Her eyes widened, and she immediately called him. "What does that text mean?" she demanded. "Is it true? Isn't it too sudden? I haven't even had a chance to tell anyone I'm engaged, and now we're getting married?"

"That's what my father wants," Ferdinand replied, with a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't go against him. Plus, I truly want to marry you as soon as possible because I love you deeply."

"Ladies will come over to dress you up. The wedding venue is set, and everything is prepared, so you don't need to fret. A driver will pick you up later," he assured her.

Helen blinked, letting out a resigned sigh. "Alright then. Let's get married."

The doorbell chimed, causing her to glance in its direction, "I think they're here already."

"Alright then, I can only imagine how stunning you look now, but I'm sure when I see you, I'll be speechless. You know how much I care about and adore you, right?" he expressed lovingly.

"Yes," she responded softly, "I love you too. I have to go answer the door now. Bye!"

"Yeah, bye... Kisses!" he playfully added, and she chuckled before ending the call. Making her way to the door, she opened it to find three young women standing there, grinning at her warmly.

"We're here to style and dress you up," one of them announced.

"Great, come on in," she invited, gesturing for them to enter. The trio stepped inside, and after Helen freshened up, they promptly began to adorn her in elegant attire.

As she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, she was taken aback by her beauty. Excitedly, she took a picture and texted her brother, "I'm getting married today."

One month had flown by, and the couple appeared to be content and joyous. However, everything took a sudden turn that fateful night after work when Ethan's phone rang.

"Hello, is this Helen Moore's brother?" a voice inquired.

Confused, Ethan furrowed his brows before responding, "Yes, who's calling?"

"I'm Officer Matthew from the New York Police Department. I regret to inform you that your sister has been found deceased. It appears she was a victim of murder," the officer disclosed.

"What!"

Ethan was taken aback by the shocking news and cried out in disbelief as he stood up abruptly.