Chapter 3
“Marrying into the Snyder family? It’s not completely out of the question,” Talia said coolly, her voice carrying a hint of indifference.
Rolf exhaled in relief. Even Sandra and Sirena, who were sneaking around upstairs, felt a wave of tension release.
“I knew she’d cave, Sandra sneered, her voice full of disdain. “After busting her ass for years, she’s probably dying to marry into some money. Trash or not, she’s still scoring a pretty damn good deal”
Just when they all thought the matter was settled, Talia dropped a bomb. “I’ve got one condition: three million bucks.” “What?” Rolf was stunned, his jaw practically hitting the floor.
Three million dollars, she repeated, ice in her voice. “Not a cent less.”
Rolf’s face twisted in disbelief, his anger flaring. He jumped up, practically shaking. Three million dollars? Are you out of your goddamn mind? That’s robbery! You’d better back the fuck off
He was livid. The Blake family barely made a million in a year, and here she was asking for three times that. There was no way in hell he’d agree to something that absurd.
“Dad, do you remember how you and Sandra got out of that shitstorm all those years ago!” Her voice was sharp, cutting right through the room.
For the past month, they’d shoved her into some dusty storage room, tossing her Sandra’s old clothes like she didn’t evell matter. The Blakes lived in luxury, dressed in designer outfits, while treating her like she was nothing more than an afterthought.
They all seemed to forget that it was her bravery as a kid that has saved their sorry asses from disaster. If it hadn’t been for her, the Blake family would’ve crumbled to pieces)
But now, the family she saved treated her like trash, their ingratitude absolutely shameless.
Hearing this, Rolf’s face went ghost–white, like an old wound had just been torn open. He tried to keep his cool, but his carlier arrogance had completely drained away.
“Alright, let’s cut to the chase and talk terms, Rolf said, his voice little raspy as he tried to steer the conversation away from the awkwardness. Three million dollars? That’s insane. Can we bring that number down a bit?”
Talia let out a sharp, cold laugh. “No money? Then we’re done here.” She stood up, ready to walk out.
Rolf, knowing how stubborn she was and how hard it was to change her mind, felt a wave of frustration, but he had no choice. He quickly caved. “Fine, I’ll agree to your terins.”
After a pause, he added, “But three million is a lot. I’ll need some time. Just stay here and wait for the Snyder family to come
for you.”
Hearing this, Talia stopped, sat back down on the couch, curled op under a soft blanket, and casually turned on the TV. She started flipping through channels and nibbling on fruit as if the heated argument from moments ago had never even happened.
Now the pressure was all on Rolf. Faced with the impossible task of raising three million dollars, his face was tense with frustration and worry. He finally decided to head upstairs to talk to Sirena.
That girl’s got some goddamn nerve, Rolf muttered, running his hand through his hair. “Three million bucks just to agree to the marriage? Where the hell are we supposed to pull that kind of money from? She’s driving me up the wall…
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Chapter 3
Sirena’s expression darkened. She clenched her jaw, silently furting, refusing to let Talia get away with this. But then, after thinking it over, she knew that with Clifford’s current mess, she couldn’t let Sandra walk into this marriage and come out empty–handed.
“Listen, babe.” Sirena sighed, trying to stay calm. “The Snyder family’s still got a name to uphold. Their engagement gift is bound to be massive. Why don’t we just consider this three million as a dowry for Talia? That way, we avoid looking cheap and keep our dignity intact.”
Talking about the engagement gift seemed to ease Rolf’s mood just a bit. I’ve got to figure out how to get this money. together, though. If Talia backs out of the marriage, we’re screwed.”
Just then, Sandra, who had been quietly listening, spoke up softly, “Dad, if it’s really too much to come up with the money for Talia, let me marry him instead. That way, you won’t have to stress about it anymore. Her voice was calm, full of quiet sacrifice.
The contrast between Sandra’s selflessness and Talia’s greed hit Rolf hard. He felt a surge of tenderness toward Sandra. Grabbing her hand tightly, he said. “Sandra, don’t you worry about this. I’m not letting you take on that burden. I’ll handle it,
no matter what.
With that, he took the glass of water Sandra handed him, gulped it down in one go, and stormed out of the house, determined to figure it all out.
“Talia, that sneaky bitch! If we didn’t still need her, I wouldn’t waste another second on her!” Sandra fumed, caught between anger and frustration. “Let’s see how smug she is once she marries into the Snyder family. She won’t know what hit her.”
Sirena frowned, her face serious. “Right now, the only thing that matters is coming up with that three million to make this marriage happen and keep everything from falling apart
Sandra rolled her eyes, pretending not to care. It’s just money. Il sort it out.”
A few minutes later, Sandra stormed into the group chat titled “Princess Protection Squad” and unloaded all the outrageous demands Talia had made onto her four brothers.
Erasmus Blake: (Three million? She should just go rob a damn bank.]
Max Blake: [She’s so desperate to tie the knot with that family, isn’t she?]
Lance Blake: [That girl’s way too full of herself. She needs a serious reality check.]
Chase Blake: [How about we each throw in some money and call it a day? Sound good?
The others didn’t even hesitate to agree.
In no time, they’d gathered two million. When Rolf caught wind of the situation, he chipped in another million without a second thought, rounding it up to the full three million dollars.
Three days later, a sleek, high–end Rolls–Royce pulled up in from of the Blake Villa, radiating luxury and class.
Talia, now dolled up in an exquisite dress, sat in the living room looking like she’d stepped out of a dream. Her sun–kissed skin had faded over the past month, returning to its usual creamy, delicate tone, almost as if nature itself had airbrushed
her.
With flawless makeup and a calm, untouchable vibe, she looked like someone from another world–far from ordinary.
Just then, Hanley Armstrong, the Snyder family’s butler, strolled in. In his fifties and dressed to perfection, he carried a thick list of gifts.
