Love's Wealth: Marrying the Unlikely Billionaire

"Hmm."

The room was dim, and soft sunlight seeped in through the slits of the curtains.

Within the pure white duvet, Valerie was being held in a full embrace, her waist clutched by a solid arm. Their skin was hot and fiery.

As she opened her eyes, Asher's deep features came into view.

Suddenly, the jumbled and flirtatious memories barged into her mind.

"Awake?" Asher buried his face in her neck, sniffing a soft, sweet scent. Unconsciously, he nuzzled, his voice deep and hoarse, lazy and sensual.

There was a moment of bafflement in Valerie's mind.

In a blink, she wriggled free from his grip, staring unbelievably at him. "We."

Asher, now awake, looked at her bewildered expression, revealing a light smirk. "Wife, don't you remember me?"

Valerie's eyes widened.

Wife.

Ah, that's right!

Yesterday, Alex, her boyfriend of over a year, suddenly told her that he couldn't marry her because he was about to wed her half-sister.

Feeling distressed, she had gone to the bar alone but hadn't expected to have a few drinks and end up married!

And her spouse was a male model.

Valerie's mood was somewhat fluctuating.

At this moment, her phone suddenly vibrated.

"Not answering the call?"

Asher lifted his chin, gesturing toward the incessantly vibrating phone.

As soon as Valerie answered the call, a piercing roar came from the other end of the phone, "Valerie, how dare you stay out all night? Hurry up and get back home!"

She frowned in displeasure, massaging her slightly throbbing temples.

She cleared her throat, and her voice was light. "What's up?"

The call was from her stepmother, Eleanor Brooks.

Eleanor has always disliked her, so this call was unlikely to bring any good news.

"Your dad is looking for you urgently, hurry back!"

After saying this, Eleanor on the other end hung up.

Valerie felt somewhat headachey. She didn't want to go back home at all, but if she didn't return, she didn't know what excuse Eleanor would use next.

Asher was already dressed. "Pack up, I'll drive you back."

Not that he intended to eavesdrop, but the call was so loud that it was hard for him to avoid hearing it.

Valerie looked at Asher in front of her. He was tall, about six foot two, with a figure as elegant as Prince Charming.

The black shirt was unbuttoned, just enough to show off the collarbone. Hidden underneath the black suit pants were a long pair of legs. With his broad shoulders and slim waist, Asher had a perfect silhouette that exuded a tantalizing allure.

Underneath his short black hair and his exceptionally clear and vigorous face was the countenance of an angel fallen from grace. With striking eyebrows, dashing eyes, and a prominent nose. No wonder, he could compete with models.

Valerie shifted her gaze away and nodded slightly.

Asher dropped Valerie back home. Before stepping out of the car, Valerie looked at Asher's handsome face, which was enough to incite jealousy among both gods and men. After a moment's contemplation, he said, "I'll explain about last night in due time. I have some business to attend to today, so I'll get going now."

With that, he turned and swiftly walked away without looking back.

As soon as she stepped through the door, she bumped into Helena Brooks.

Valerie held no particular affinity for this half-sister from the same father. She didn't bother exchanging pleasantries and proceeded directly inside.

Helena watched her with an inscrutable expression on her face. Had Valerie just emerged from a Bugatti Veyron?

In the whole City of London, the number of people who could afford a Bugatti Veyron could be counted on one hand, not to mention a limited edition one!

Their mother had mentioned that Valerie had not come home last night. Could she have been out partying and had somebody take a fancy and take her off?

As soon as Valerie stepped into the house, she was bombarded with questions by Felix Brooks, "Valerie, you sure have some nerve! Not only did you hang out in a bar, but you spent the entire night out! As a woman, don't you understand the concept of maintaining your dignity and self-respect?"

"What will people say when word gets out? You might not care about your reputation, but I do!"

Valerie responded with nonchalance, an icy laugh echoing in her heart.

She had returned home after more than a year. When had Felix ever assumed his paternal responsibilities towards her? When had he ever bothered to take care of Valerie? Now, was playing the part of a stern father?

He must have some ulterior motive!

Seeing Valerie didn't reply, Felix was more frustrated. He lifted his hand, prepared to slap her, but was stopped by Eleanor, who gently comforted, "Dear, dear, calm down. Don't upset yourself."

"She's home now, isn't she? Valerie didn't spend the night out intentionally. If you have something to tell her, speak to her properly. What are you gaining from yelling at her?"

"You always side with her, but does she appreciate you? You're even covering for her!"

"What do you mean she didn't do it on purpose? She's always out messing around, associating with all sorts of men. Who'd want to marry someone like her?"

Felix was unable to contain his anger, it kept erupting from him.

Valerie watched the couple's good cop-bad cop routine, and a cold, mocking smile touched the corners of her lips. They were putting on this act just for her, weren't they?

Just then, Helena entered from outside. She scowled fiercely at Valerie and then ran to Eleanor's side to chatter.

"Mom, I just saw Valerie coming out of a limited-edition Bugatti Veyron. Despite living in the countryside all these years, the people she knows are quite influential," Helena said.

Felix furrowed his brow. A limited edition Bugatti Veyron? That was a luxury car worth tens of millions of dollars. How could Valerie know such people?

"Have you been messing around?!" Felix glared at Valerie, yelling in anger.

Messing around?

Valerie pondered for a moment. If she married a male model from a bar, could that be considered messing around?

Seeing Valerie remain silent, Felix no longer pursued this topic.

"Regardless of whether you're messing around, it doesn't matter now. Since Alex has broken off the engagement with you and the head of Sunshine Entertainment, Leo Spencer, is very pleased with you-you've met him-get yourself ready. He's coming to propose tomorrow."

From the moment Valerie stepped foot into this house, she had been observing everything coldly.

Let them blabber all they wish.

Her mouth twitched slightly upon hearing the name "Leo."

She indeed had met this Leo, a portly man in his fifties whose wife had just died half a year ago, leaving behind two sons.

Even when his wife was still alive, Leo spent his days frolicking around town, a notorious flirt.

It was said that his wife was angered to death by him!

So, while his wife's body was still warm, he was already thinking about finding a new partner.

She cast a casual look at Felix, taunting, "He's about your age, right? People in the know think you're trying to find me a husband. Those who don't might suspect you're trying to find me a father instead!"

"Who do you think you are? I was just a small bloke raised in the countryside. The only reason Mr. Leo even looks at you is your good fortune! Don't you be ungrateful!" Felix, stung by her attitude, pounded on the table angrily and pointed at her as he scolded her.

Good fortune?

Valerie laughed coldly. "I don't need this kind of good fortune, whoever wants it can take it."

Felix did not expect Valerie to reject him so openly; his face turned ashy. "I'm not discussing with you, I'm informing you."

"I've already accepted Mr. Leo's bride price, he will come to propose tomorrow. You'd better behave yourself. It's not up to you whether you're willing or not, you have to get married!"

Brooks's Company has been facing a cash crunch recently, and there is also a big deficit to fill. If no solutions are found, the company may go bankrupt at any moment.

Leo of the Sunshine Entertainment Corporation suggested that, as long as he could marry his daughter, he would help Brooks get through this crisis. Then, why should he hesitate?

Naturally, he would be reluctant to give away Helena, whom he kept by his side all the time. That only left Valerie.

As for the betrothal of Valerie and Alex Foster.

Just end it and let Alex marry Helena directly.

Felix thought that, as a part of the Brooks family, Valerie should contribute something to the company. This was not much of a sacrifice.

Moreover, it wasn't a sacrifice at all. The Sunshine Entertainment Corporation is a well-respected large enterprise in Chelsea. For a country bumpkin like her to marry into it, it should be considered a gain!

Valerie did not expect Felix to be so ruthless, completely devoid of fatherly love in his heart. She was just an object that could be traded at any time!

"I'm telling you, I won't marry!" Valerie stared quietly at him, her voice adamant.

She was raised by her grandfather since she was a child; Felix had never even done the slightest bit of his duty as a father.

If it were not for her grandfather's serious illness this time, demanding a large sum of treatment fees, she would never return to this house!

"Valerie, if you don't agree, I'll cut off your grandfather's medical expenses!" Felix never thought she would remain unmoved. He snapped angrily.

Did Felix use her grandfather to threaten her?

Valerie was furious and incredulous. "Felix, he is your biological father! How are you any different from a beast by doing this?"

Felix was all righteousness and justice on the surface, but he was selfish and self-serving in private.

Valerie's harsh accusation made him instantly pale with rage. "Valerie! Have you lost all your manners? Is that how your old man taught you to talk to your father?!"

"I tell you, you better stay put and wait for Mr. Leo to come tomorrow, and then dutifully marry him! The Leo family is not short on money. It wouldn't be a humiliation for you to marry into that family! If you dare to make any fuss, I'll dare to cut off your grandfather's medical fees!"

Watching him, Valerie laughed in extreme anger!

What a shameless man!

However, her grandfather had to rely on him now, so Valerie couldn't openly resist him. Knowing Felix's character, he might cut off her grandfather's medical fees.

She wouldn't allow such a thing to happen!

She took a deep breath, holding back from retorting Felix, and returned to her room.

As soon as she closed the door, the phone started ringing an unfamiliar number.

She hesitated for a moment, but eventually answered it.

As the communication started, a deep and sexy male voice spread from the other end, "Have you sorted everything out at home? If there's anything you can't handle, you can tell me."

His voice was too mesmerizing, and Valerie recognized him at the moment he began speaking; it was her husband, a male model she had just married in a flash.

Some people are not only blessed with good looks but also with good voices.

Valerie pursed her lips and said bitterly, "I'm fine."

Asher's tongue slid across his back teeth unconsciously. "Your voice sounds. not quite okay."

Though Valerie didn't know how he got her phone number, she was touched by his empathy at this moment.

Yet still, with the complicated situation in the Brooks family and the entrenched influence of the Leo family in Chelsea, he, as a male model, couldn't resolve it all.

So, there was no need to drag him in.

She was having a little headache now; why did she impulsively marry a male model?

"There's nothing, I can figure it out. Besides, you are just a male model, what can you help me with?" she said.

"Male model?" The laugh in Asher's voice was discernible, and his last word rose slightly, adding an enticing charm.

Barely two words, yet Valerie was lured by his voice.

She rubbed her brow. "Aren't you? Both your looks and physique are excellent, and you also serve people in the bar. But with your look, I suppose you must be the top host, right?"

Asher didn't expect he could earn the title of a top host; his laughter grew thicker, and his voice more melodious. "Leaving my status aside, now that we're married, it means we're husband and wife and one entity, of course. Whatever difficulty you're facing, you can tell me."

Even if he couldn't see her, Valerie still subconsciously shook her head.

"Don't worry, I can handle it. Just take care of your own business! Besides, things in our family are a bit complicated, and I'd rather you not get involved. I can handle this on my own."

After saying this, he hung up the phone directly.

Asher, who had been hung up on, looked at the dark screen and raised an eyebrow, showing a certain degree of backbone.

His friend Park Patterson looked at him with a gossiping face and said, "Who was that? Was it the girl from yesterday who clung to you and wanted to marry you?"

Every time Park thought about yesterday's scene, he couldn't help but grin!

That incident was one of Asher's rare embarrassing moments!

Asher just nodded in response.

Park's smile grew wider, and his eyes filled with curiosity and ambiguity. "Didn't you two leave together? Nothing passionate happened with that girl. She looked pretty decent to me."

"And your grandma has been urging you to get married lately. Why don't you just settle down?"

Asher, lounging casually on the sofa with his long legs crossed and his well-defined fingers rhythmically tapping on the armrest, revealed a deep look in his eyes. "We've already gotten our marriage license."

"What–."

Park almost spit out the sip of coffee he had just taken, his eyes as wide as saucers, disbelief radiating from them, "No way, have you lost your mind?"

Even though he could joke around, this was a matter too serious to play with!

Park thought his friend was being too reckless with this whole affair and said anxiously, "No, Asher, you didn't even investigate- her character, her family, her education. Did you just decide to get married like that? What if she only wants your family's wealth?."

"She thought I was a male model from the bar." Asher interrupts Park with a helpless look.

Park: .

One of the world's leading families in finance is the Lawson family, and their leader is mistaken for a bar model!!!

At this moment, Park didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.

Season Family.

After Helena returned to her room, the more she thought about it, the more it seemed off.

The car that brought Valerie home was a global limited edition Bugatti Veyron!

She was supposed to be a country bumpkin abandoned in the countryside! When did she hook up with such a rich person?

Ever since Valerie returned to the Season family house, Helena had been compared to her everywhere, and the most infuriating part was, that she was outshone by Valerie in every aspect!

She had barely snatched Alex from Valerie, she absolutely couldn't let Valerie find someone better!

With her nose in the air, she arrived at Valerie's room, her arms crossed, she looked down at Valerie, her eyes full of disdain, "Valerie, are you being kept by someone now?"

Valerie was flabbergasted, she didn't even want to bother with Helena, she loved this room so much, so let her have it!

She moved slightly aside, but Helena blocked her way, looking at her domineeringly.

"Valerie, you are shameless. Alex just divorced you, and you've turned around and hooked up with other men. The ones who can afford Bugatti in Chelsea are all old men, you aren't picky! You'll go for anyone!"

"Fortunately, Alex saw your true face and chose to leave you, otherwise, he would've been disgusted to death by you!"

Valerie had no intention of arguing with her, but some people were just pathetically laughable.

Her eyebrows knitted, her face emotionless, she said frostily, "Helena, what? Do you think you're clean? So clean that you shamelessly sneak into your brother-in-law's bed without any guilt? Aren't you disgusted?"

Struck at her sore spot, slight panic flashed past Helena's eyes.

She glared furiously at Valerie, "Alex and I are in mutual affection, what are you? Simply a bumpkin from the countryside!"

"Oh, by the way, do you know why Dad wants you to marry Leo?" A flash of triumph crossed Helena's face.

Valerie looked at her calmly, waiting for her to continue.

"Because Brooks Corporation is in dire need of capital. Even the money from Alex's family is not enough to fill the hole. And Leo just lost his wife; due to external pressure, he must remarry!"

"So he told Dad that as long as he gives him his daughter in marriage, he will help Brooks Corporation navigate through the crisis. The reason Alex broke off his engagement with you is because he is worried that I would be the one married off instead!"

"And you, you're the bargaining chip in Dad's negotiation with Leo!"

The more triumphant the smile on Helena's face, the more ashen Valerie's face became.

As for why Alex suddenly wanted to break up with her, she had considered countless reasons, but not once did she ever think it was because of Helena!

Their promises of undying love throughout the year were a joke!

All his sweet tenderness, thinking about it now, had been poison given to her.

It's ridiculous.

Watching Valerie's face gradually lose its color, Helena became increasingly arrogant.

She purposely moved closer to Valerie, and in an attitude of victory, whispered into her ear, "Valerie, get ready to marry Leo! Maybe you'll get to meet his ex-wife soon!"

After finishing, Helena walked away triumphantly.

Valerie collapsed on the ground, devoid of strength. She sat there, eyes vacant, heart aching.

Thinking about how she had given her whole heart, only to find out in the end that it was all just her wishful thinking, she felt as if she could no longer breathe.

How can some people be so revolting?

Time was slipping away minute by minute, yet for Valerie, it seemed to stand still. She maintained her initial pose.

Two hours had passed, and her tears had long since dried up.

She clenched her fists, took a deep breath, and her gaze suddenly became determined.

Did they all want her to marry Leo?

Not if she could help it!

The next morning, Valerie was rudely awakened by a group of unknown people.

Before she could even open her eyes, she heard Eleanor instructing, "Hurry up, Leo will be here soon."

Make-up, styling, clothing. Valerie was like a marionette, controlled by them.

When she was fully dressed, Eleanor looked at Valerie, who looked as if a fairy had descended from the heavens, a glint of malevolence flashed through Eleanor's eyes.

This damned girl and her worthless mother were identical!

For over a decade, she had been cast aside in the countryside, left to fend for herself. Yet, unexpectedly, she still turned out to be so dazzling, like a snow lotus from heaven, pure and elegant.

But thinking of her imminent marriage to Leo, Eleanor felt a thrill of schadenfreude. What good would her pretty looks do?

She'd suffer soon enough!

With a disdainful glance at Valerie, Eleanor scolded, "Hurry up and get down there. Be smart when you meet Leo! You're his property now!"

Extremely unwilling, Valerie shot a glance at Eleanor unexpectedly.

This look from Valerie made Eleanor feel a bit uncomfortable all over.

However, she thought to herself, what could this bumpkin possibly do? Lowering her voice threateningly, she said, "You better behave, bear in mind your grandfather!"

Valerie lowered her gaze, secretly gritting her teeth. Her grandfather was seriously ill now, with organ decay and only the life-support keeping him alive. Despite her medical prowess, she was helpless.

Despite dedicating years to medical research and achieving significant success, she didn't make much money.

And ever since her grandfather fell ill, he had continuously been thinking about Felix, for whom she brought her grandfather back to Chelsea.

However, she never expected that her ailing grandfather would now be the leverage they used to manipulate her!

Valerie closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and obediently went downstairs.

Leo had already arrived, in the main hall, Felix was constantly buttering up to Leo, "Mr. Leo, rest assured, you will be satisfied later."

As he spoke, Valerie came down from upstairs.

Upon seeing her, Leo was instantly stunned.

Felix too was slightly taken aback, unable to believe the stunning transformation Valerie had undergone.

However, upon noticing the glimmer in Leo's eyes, he immediately fetched Valerie and guided her to sit next to Leo, "Mr. Leo, this is Valerie Brooks, my daughter."

Leo's greasy gaze roamed freely over her body; disgust welled up within Valerie at this, giving her the urge to throw up.

In his fifties, adorned with big, crude gold chains, bald, drenched in oil, pot-bellied, his entire being exuded opulence.

"I'm very satisfied. Let's just get the certificate next week. Don't bother with a big wedding. After all, this is my second marriage. A casual meal together with both families can be considered a completed ceremony." Leo withdrew his gaze from Valerie, and patted his protruding belly, issuing orders as if in command.

"Yes, yes, yes, such grand preparations are ultimately wasteful, it's better to be frugal." Felix cooperates with his flattering.

Leo, cheered up by the flattery, becomes more amicable, "My dear brother, rest assured, once I marry Valerie, you will be my father-in-law. I definitely wouldn't sit back and watch the crisis of Brooks Corporation."

With this guarantee, Felix was even more enthusiastic in his flattery, "As long as you're satisfied, everything can be discussed!"

Leo, being generous, places a card directly on the table, "Here's a million as a dowry. As for the rest, don't worry, I will have someone deliver it all tomorrow!"

He then turns to look at Valerie, her beautiful figure, and sparkling eyes pleasing him more and more, "You can rest assured that once you're with me, you won't be treated unfairly in terms of money!"

Upon hearing his words, Valerie smirks and opens her rosy lips slightly, "I didn't say I agreed to marry!"

Felix, fuming, stands up and admonishes, "Shut up!"

"Valerie! Have you lost your mind? A great man like Mr. Leo is hard to find even with a lantern, and you dare refuse to marry him?! I tell you, you have to obey your parents' decision. You have to marry, whether you want to or not!"

Valerie looks up, her tone icy, "I'm already married."