Billionaire Mischievous Wife

Prologue

"She's not here." Near the wedding arch, Charlie Grandson walked up to his son Kenneth and said, "It's been almost an hour, and she's still not here. Do you think she will show up?"

"She'll be there." Alexander Kenneth had been keeping his temper in check for the past thirty or forty minutes. "She has to be." One of the things he hated most was having to wait.

"No, son, I don't think so. Look, everyone is getting impatient," he said as he looked at the Grandson and Pallister families' relatives, friends, and coworkers who had come to the wedding. "Call her. "There must have been something."

How can tell him he can't call her because he doesn't have her phone number? After what happened on their first date, they never bothered to trade phone numbers.

"She's coming. The person in charge of the wedding could have already called her. Everyone would have been told to leave if she didn't plan to come."

"Well, you're right," Charlie said with a small smile, and then he went back to his seat.

Kenneth stared at the big double doors of the Grandson Hotel's grand ballroom, where the bride would come in. He had been looking at it for so long that his eyes were starting to hurt. 'Damn. She is trying to do this. Keeping me waiting and embarrassing me in front of everyone.

Kenneth muttered quietly, "She's really testing my patience," and then he turned his attention to the loud voices of people talking. He looked over at Constantine Pallister, who was enjoying talking to people and using the fact that his granddaughter was late to catch up with family and friends. He didn't seem to remember the wedding.

"Hey," Eross, one of my groomsmen, tapped me on the back, "you're getting roots from standing here for too long. I told you it was a bad idea to get married. Since we're still young, let's enjoy being single. Trust me, you should do it in your 40s."

"No more. I told you why, dude. I've already made up my mind, so stop."

"Come on, quit making a fool of yourself. She won't come. Where is your honor? Let's go to the party and drink some of those old wines. I'm already thirsty and my throat is dry."

He huffed and shook his head. "I'm pretty sure that she'll come."

"Let's hope for that," he said, pointing at the older officiating minister who was already sleeping in his chair. He laughed, mouthed the words "bad luck," and left.

Kenneth looked at the watch on his wrist for the ninth time. An hour after the wedding ceremony was supposed to start, everyone walked down the aisle and took their places at the front. This took thirty minutes. Only the bride wasn't there.

He tried to hold back his anger when he realized he had just made a fool of himself. Eross was right, they should drink some of those old wines. Kenneth was about to leave when the bridal entrance song started playing.

Everyone turned their heads toward the big double doors and looked very excited to see the bride walk in and down the aisle.

The doors opened so wide that the bride could be seen.

Everyone was taken aback!

The bride wore an all-black wedding dress as she walked down the aisle.

-----------*****----------- ****

About four months ago

Elleina's view

"Go home, miss, Mr. Pallister won't see you," the intimidating gate guard with the dark uniform and peaked cap told me again. When he looked down at me, he didn't look like he felt sorry for me.

I had been waiting outside the big iron gate of the Pallister mansion for a long time almost every day for the past five days, no matter what the weather was like. I was hungry, thirsty, and cold, but I could handle it all. My will to fight was so strong that I overcame the exhaustion that was killing me.

"I need to see my grandfather, please. This is a life-or-death situation," I kept telling him the same thing every day, and it was like a broken record.

He sighed and said, "The master said he doesn't know you."

"How couldn't he? "I'm his granddaughter," I kept telling him, even though I had already told him that too many times. "My mom is his only child."

"Which he doesn't acknowledge," he said, coming closer to scare me. "Go home now. He told us to send you away. If you won't leave, we'll have to use force."

My mouth turned up in anger.

My aristocratic and wealthy grandfather, Constantine Pallister, kicked out my mother, Céline, because she fell in love with my father, who was also her driver and bodyguard. When she ran away with Dad, he cut off all ties with her.

Dad died before he could get married to mom. On the day before their wedding, he was in a car accident and died right there. Mom was left with a child. She was only 19, so she didn't know where to go. She was used to living in a safe place where she was treated like a princess and kept safe. She had no choice but to call Grandpa and beg him to forgive her. But she was wrong.

My grandfather wouldn't take her back as his daughter. She has sent him a birthday card every year for the past 23 years to let him know that he was always on her mind. But he never forgave her anyway.

Mom never wanted me to hate him, no matter what he did.

I grew up hoping that one day our family would get back together. When I was eighteen, I gave up on that hope.

He was asked to come to our school and give a speech to the high school seniors who were about to leave. I was so happy that I told my classmates with pride that he was my grandfather.

"Wow, so you're his heir!"

Some people really liked what I said and believed me. But there were others who looked at me funny and thought I was crazy.

"I don't think you have anything to do with him. Riza, the meanest girl in high school, looked at my feet and said, "You can't even buy a new pair of shoes. You've been wearing those since, what, three years ago?" She and her two best friends laughed at me, which was heard by other students.

My face was so red, but I told myself, "I'm a strong girl." I lifted my chin and said, "You can believe what you want to believe." We both have the Pallister last name, right? That shows enough."

Riza said out loud, "My dear, I have the same last name as the King of England." Everyone laughed.

I wanted to show everyone that what I was saying was true. After grandpa finished talking, I went up to him with a big smile and told him I was his granddaughter.

I could still remember how his smile disappeared and he looked at me strangely. I didn't realize until later that what I saw on his face was hate and anger.

"Kid, I have no idea what you're talking about. "I don't have a granddaughter," he told me rudely in front of everyone, lifting his chin. That hurt so much.

I found out later that he did it on purpose to make me feel bad. To punish me for what my mother did wrong. He made fun of me in front of everyone, and that left an impression on me.

Elleina POV.

In an instant, he denied me without hesitation or remorse. And with that, any chance for reconciliation was lost, leading to the death of all my hopes. I took an oath to stay far away from him for the rest of my life. Regrettably, I find myself in the situation where I have broken my word. Even though it makes me feel sick, I am pleading with him for his mercy. If only I had someone I could count on in times of need...

As I felt the need for more air, I took in a deep breath, allowing it to fill me up. We were left with no choice, which was incredibly frustrating for us. We had no choice but to turn to him as our last resort.

As the rain began to pour down, I found myself still waiting outside the iron gate.

"Go home!" the guard shouted at me, but I shook my head.

"Please, let me in. There is an urgent need for me to have a conversation with my grandfather."

"That won't be possible, miss," he answered, and a car pulled at the gate, coming from the inside.

Witnessing the presence of the white-haired older man in the passenger seat of the moving car brought about an uplifting sensation within me, as if my heart were being lifted up.

"Grandpa!" I yelled and ran towards the car when the gate opened.

"Grandpa!" He refused to hear me. Intentionally disregarding my presence, he kept his aristocratic face directed straight ahead.

"Grandpa please! Mom is very ill, she needs your help so badly!" my trembling hands on the car's glass window, "please help mom... she'll die if you won't..."

As the rain poured down on me relentlessly, I found myself soaked to the bone, tears streaming down my face, and desperately pleading for his mercy. Despite my efforts, it appeared that he was completely unaware of what I was saying. As the car carried on through the gates, I made an effort to keep up, running in tandem with it.

"We need your help Grandpa... please, I beg you. I'll do anything for you, grandpa. Whatever you want... I promise! Just help mom survive.... she's dying..."

The car gradually increased its speed, quickly accelerating, and as it zoomed away, I remained there, rooted to the spot, my gaze fixed upon it until it disappeared from sight. The rain poured heavily, same with my tears. Overwhelmed by a profound feeling of helplessness, I sank to the ground and knelt down.

Later, I arrived home. I took the opportunity to show my appreciation to our neighbor for their kindness in looking after Mom while I was away. As time went on, mom's health declined and she became increasingly weaker. She was skin and bones already. She needed intensive treatment immediately for her stage one, liver cancer.

I felt a heaviness in my heart as I looked upon her, overwhelmed by emotions. Throughout the years, she tirelessly worked to ensure that all of us would survive. She had no choice but to undertake every manual work opportunity, as she was not qualified for any office job. Throughout my childhood, I witnessed her constantly feeling exhausted, neglecting proper meals, and consuming unhealthy food. She became sick as a result of her unhealthy eating habits.

When I graduated from high school, I worked as an all-around assistant in a fashion design and manufacturing company. From the income I generated, I successfully aided my mother in fulfilling our financial obligations, including the payment of our house rent and our daily expenses. The quality of our lives improved, resulting in an easier lifestyle for both of us.

Unfortunately, the company faced financial hardships and ultimately went bankrupt. Rather than seeking out a different job, my best friend and I opted to embark on the journey of creating our own online shopping business. Just as we were getting started with it a few months ago, we received the unfortunate news that Mom's health had taken a turn for the worse.

"Did you see him?"

I refocused my thoughts on the present moment and directed my attention towards my mom.

"Yeah, I did."

Her eyes instantly lit up. "What did he say?"

"I told him you're sick, but he just ignored me," I heaved a long sigh. "I'll think of other ways, Mom."

"No," she shook her head weakly, "I believe he heard you. Please go back tomorrow, Elleina.

-----

She was right. When I arrived at the Pallister mansion the following day, I noticed the gate guard, along with the other guards, were exceptionally friendly. If it were possible for them to lay down a red carpet on the floor, they would do so in order to create a welcoming atmosphere for me.

"Mr. Pallister wants to see you. A caddie car will take you inside the mansion."

As I approached the Pallister mansion, I was met by an elderly butler who graciously opened the door for me. He welcomed me with a bright smile and ushered me inside the huge, luxurious living room. The entire setting resonated with an overwhelming sense of affluence, sophistication, and timeless beauty. From the spotless black tiled floor, the chandeliers hanging in every corner of the room, the expensive ornaments of the room, the gold moldings on the ceiling...

Disgust filled me, causing my lips to twist. Unfortunately, I did not find it impressive. My wince was a result of the vivid imagination that painted a picture of my mother's imprisonment within the realm of wealth and privilege, under the oppressive control of her uncompromising father.

Settling myself in the center of the grand Victorian couch, I was taken aback by the unexpected entrance of two maids into the living room. Their arrival was accompanied by the rolling of two carts, one overflowing with an assortment of delectable desserts, while the other housed an array of refreshing drinks.

"What do you like to eat, madam?" one maid asked with a smiling face.

"No thanks. I'm not hungry or thirsty," I answered and saw the disappointment on the maids' faces.

The two maids bid their farewell, leaving me in solitude once more. Once again, my eyes began to wander aimlessly around the room, taking in every detail of the clothes and ornaments. The walls were adorned with numerous paintings, while the shelves displayed an assortment of rare and priceless ceramic vases and figurines. A single vase or painting could last a lifetime of our food supply or enough for Mom's medical treatment. The very thought of it filled me with an intense rage.

"Elleina."

At the sound of my name, my heart came to a sudden halt, leaving me momentarily breathless. Without budging from my seat, I inhaled deeply and directed my gaze towards the elderly man with his tall stature and white hair, making his way towards me.

"Grandpa."

Elleina's POV

When I was young, I often dreamed about the day that I would finally have the opportunity to meet my grandpa. I daydreamed about him playfully swinging me in his arms and then tightly wrapping his arms around me in a hug. Then he would take care of me and my mom, providing us with relief from the struggles of our impoverished life. But they were all illusions, a figment of a child's imagination.

A wave of revulsion hit me, causing my nose to wrinkle in disgust.

I stared at grandpa. Despite his age, he appeared strong and healthy, which made me painfully aware of my mom's worsening condition.

Although life can be unfair at times, quitting is not the solution.

Grandpa sank into a padded armchair, positioning himself directly opposite me. With his head held high, he exuded an air of pride and aristocracy. The look he gave me conveyed utter disdain, as if I were an unwanted presence on the opulent Victorian couch.

I clenched my fists, determined to keep my temper in check. I could not help but recall the time he humiliated me during high school, denying me to everyone. That was something that I could never forget. The mark, like a tattoo, was imprinted deep within my brain, impossible to forget.

"So your mother is sick," he spat right away, skipping any pleasantries, "misfortune always follows to disobedient children. The act of running away with that airhead chauffeur shows just how foolish she is. If she were to agree to marry the man I have chosen for her, she would have a much brighter and more prosperous future."

An arranged marriage.

The prevailing mindset of a rich person when it comes to maintaining their financial status. I breathed out silently, my thoughts lingering on my mother. If she married a stranger, she would be condemned for a lifetime of torment. It would be like nailing her own coffin every day. I knew she would rather opt for her current life.

Anger surged through me, causing my hands to quiver with intensity. Grandpa's insults and harsh words kept on coming, degrading my dead father, Hareth Daniel, though I haven't even seen in person. I knew from my mom and his family that he was a very wonderful guy.

"What about you? What's going on with your life? My sources said that you haven't gone to a university," he scoffed, looking at me oddly, like I came from another planet. His piercing gaze traveled from the top of my head down to my toes, analyzing my appearance. "you're twenty two and jobless! That's what you get when you neglect schooling. You can't find a decent job when you lose one."

So he did a regular check with my life. He is aware of both my name and age. He has knowledge of the educational and work aspects of my life. I wonder what else he knows?

"Due to my mom's financial limitations, I was unable to attend university."

"Of course! She's weak and incompetent! I don't know where she got that kind of attitude. My wife and I both have strong personalities. The maids probably influenced her," he shook his head, looking very disappointed, "she's an ungrateful daughter, disrespectful... and a moron!"

I stood up abruptly. His unpleasant words had become too much for me to handle and I couldn't contain them any further. Two minutes more, I would forget that he was my grandfather and attack him.

"If you let me see you today, just to tell me insulting words about my mother, then I'd better leave," I glared at him angrily, "she's a wonderful woman, a very loving mother. Yeah, she made the mistake of running away at a very young age. She could have done a better way, like waiting for the right time, without you hating her and cursing her to death."

"HA! A better way? She still fell in love with that idiotic poor man!"

"Spare my dad with your wrath. He's at peace in his grave," I said firmly, uncaring who he was anymore. "it seems like you have nothing nice to say. You're still a proud, vindictive, and unforgiving man. You refused to acknowledge that you have your own faults too, by being so strict and controlling Mom's life."

"How dare you say that to me!" He stood up abruptly, his eyes widened as he looked at me with a monstrosity, "I'm your grandfather!"

"You're sure about that now?" I bursted, matching his anger, "remember? I vividly remember that you denied me in front of the entire school, causing me significant embarrassment. You said you didn't know me. According to your previous statement, you claimed to not have a granddaughter. You humiliated me!"

His lips tightened, then chuckled nastily, "so look who's holding a grudge? You think I would announce to the whole world that I have a granddaughter studying in public school? What would that make me, a laughingstock to everyone!"

"Your reputation is more important to you than your family. You care too much about what people say, rather than your daughter's feelings. You're heartless and savage, and I'm not proud of you as my grandfather," I hissed, then took my worn-out tote bag lying out of place on the expensive sofa.

"I'm not done with you!" he barked when I stormed out of the living room.

I stopped mid-stride, turned to him slowly and said, "well, I'm done with you. Don't worry, I won't bother you again. I can ask for help with my mom's medical treatment somewhere else. Pretty sure there are plenty of people who have beautiful souls. You can continue cutting your connection with us. Goodbye Mr. Constantine Pallister. I sincerely hope that you have a long and joyful life ahead of you."

"I'll pay for your mother's medical treatment," he said, and that stopped me from leaving. I stared at him tongue-tied, "everything. I'll get the best medical doctors and institutions in the world to cure her illness. In the aftermath, she will be able to lead a life that is incredibly comfortable. She'll get her trust fund of three billion dollars, and three mansions. In Los Angeles, Maryland and New York."

My mind went blank, and I struggled to find the appropriate words to say. I stood there frozen, staring at him. Suddenly I was suspicious. There was no way that he would just agree to help Mom and give everything he mentioned. He had a black heart as Satan.

"What's the catch?".

He smirked, then said, "you have to marry Alexander Kenneth Grandson.."