Chapter 2

"I'm here on behalf of Mr. Howard to deliver wedding gifts to Ms. Johnson. Here's the gift inventory for your review."

As the Howard family butler spoke, he unfurled what appeared to be a catalog that stretched over a dozen pages, listing luxury cars, mansions, and countless precious treasures!

Every guest in the ballroom stared in disbelief.

Someone gasped, covering their mouth, "These are just the wedding gifts from the Howard family! This must be worth hundreds of millions!"

"My God, this is beyond extravagant. The Howard family really lives up to their reputation."

Oliver's face contorted with humiliated rage as he glared at Molly.

"Everyone knows the heir to the Howard family is a walking corpse. You won't find happiness there! Molly, don't make the wrong choice. Why give up being Mrs. Smith to become a widow instead?"

Clara's hands clenched into fists beneath her sleeves, jealousy practically sparking from her eyes. Celeste wore the same expression of jealousy.

All that money—if only it could be theirs!

Celeste shot Molly a look of pure resentment.

She and Clara had schemed for years, but still failed to get Clara married into the Smith family. They'd thought destroying this engagement would send Molly spiraling into ruin, but instead, the Howard family had immediately thrown her a lifeline.

Most importantly, the gap between the Smith and Howard families was astronomical—the Smiths were nothing more than a minor family compared to the Howards!

Molly's expression remained unchanged as she replied coldly, "Even if I become a widow, I'd rather be a wealthy one than marry a disgusting person like you and watch you cheat every day."

Her words made Oliver's expression darken further.

Molly walked toward the Howard family butler, accepted the catalog, and politely said, "Thank you for making the trip."

The butler waved with a warm smile. "Think nothing of it, Ms. Johnson. Mrs. Howard is waiting for you at home."

Molly nodded and walked out with her spine straight, ignoring the shocked, envious, and furious stares that followed her.

The Howard family occupied the most expensive real estate in the city center. The Howard Manor was a breathtakingly luxurious vintage mansion that radiated opulence from every corner.

Following the butler inside, Molly was greeted by Alicia, who rose from the sofa with a welcoming smile and obvious satisfaction in her eyes.

"Molly."

Molly responded politely, "Mrs. Howard."

Alicia's smile brightened. "Wonderful. Once you marry into the Howard family, I promise you won't lack for anything. I'll treat you like my own daughter. If anything troubles you, just come to me."

Molly nodded graciously.

Alicia held Molly's hand and found herself liking her more and more."Why don't you move in and spend some time getting to know Edward first?"

Molly's smile stiffened slightly.

She wondered if Edward knew his mother had already arranged his entire life just to secure his bloodline.

However, since Molly had already made her choice, she wouldn't entertain any other thoughts and nodded in agreement with Alicia's arrangement once again.

The cohabitation arrangement was settled.

"Give me your identification documents. Edward's condition makes it difficult for him to travel, so I'll handle the marriage paperwork for both of you."

Molly looked surprised. Marriage licenses could be processed without both parties present?

The Howard family's influence was truly extraordinary.

After a moment's consideration, she handed over her documents, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and took her leave.

As she stepped outside, she noticed the morning's clear skies had given way to heavy clouds. The air felt oppressive and humid, promising an imminent downpour.

Looking up at the darkening sky, the wound in her heart throbbed with fresh pain.

She wasn't an emotionless machine.

The betrayal hurt like a poisoned needle scraping across her heart, and those explicit photos made her physically sick.

Molly exhaled slowly and pulled out her phone to call her close friend, Nathan Williams.

"What are you up to? Come have drinks with me."

Nathan's amused voice came through the speaker, "Rare to hear you extend an invitation. No matter how busy I am, I have to accept."

Molly smiled faintly. "Meet me at our usual place."

With that, she hung up.

She, Nathan, and Juniper Jones had been friends since childhood. Though Nathan was male, he'd always gotten along well with both girls. Unfortunately, Juniper was still abroad.

Nine PM was prime time at the nightclub, with young men and women releasing their hormones amid alcohol and DJ beats.

Molly sat in their booth, drinking glass after glass.

Nathan couldn't help but click his tongue. "Seeing you all heartbroken like this is quite something. Juniper and I warned you ages ago that Oliver was bad news, but you were too head-over-heels to see it."

"I'll leave you with just this: you had it coming."

Molly rolled her eyes. "Could you be a little less brutal?"

Nathan nodded reluctantly and raised his own glass, then suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, are you really planning to marry that sickly Edward?"

Molly's grip tightened around her glass. After a long silence, she finally spoke.

"Actually, marrying him and becoming a wealthy widow wouldn't be so bad. I don't want romance right now. Edward has excellent genes. I could have a beautiful, intelligent child and enough money to last a lifetime. What's not to like?"

Nathan's expression grew somber. "I'm worried you're making an impulsive decision you'll regret later. Marriage isn't a game."

Molly looked up with a soft sigh. "But I'm out of options. With things having escalated like this, there's no going back. The Smith family won't let this slide, and I have too many vulnerabilities."

She had her underage brother, Jasper Johnson, to protect, plus her grandmother, Mia Coleman, in the nursing home. The family tragedy that had destroyed Mia's clan years ago remained unsolved.

"Any one of these could be used against me by the Smith family. Only by marrying into the Howard family can I protect myself from threats and focus on what I need to do. I don't have any other choice."

Her final words sounded casual, but she couldn't help draining another glass.

Her world only offered multiple-choice questions, and they were all single-answer.

Molly had drunk considerably at the club, stumbling as Nathan helped her outside.

Just as they exited, a top-of-the-line Rolls-Royce blocked their path.

An assistant stepped out of the car.

"Mr. Howard requests Ms. Johnson's presence."