Chapter 1 Would You Marry Me?

"Cancel the appointment."

"Are you sure, Miss? Maybe you should wait a bit longer?" The city hall clerk glanced at the heavy snow outside, trying to comfort her. "It's the first snow of the season. Maybe he's just stuck in traffic..."

"No need," Valerie Brown replied firmly, though her tightly clenched hands betrayed her emotions.

Valerie looked up at the giant screen on the most expensive department store in downtown, displaying a marriage proposal.

She knew the proposal she was waiting for would never come.

Valerie and Wayne Smith had grown up together. In her eyes, Wayne was perfect in every way. Since they met, she had been like a little shadow, always following him around. Everyone knew Wayne had a childhood friend who was madly in love with him, and they all thought they would eventually get married. But only Valerie knew that Wayne never liked her.

Three years ago, Laura Johnson went abroad to study. Out of spite, Wayne agreed to be with Valerie on the day Laura left.

For the past three years, Valerie had put Wayne first in everything. Because he once mentioned he liked career-oriented women, Valerie worked tirelessly to get into Aurelia Holdings, one of the top three companies in Emerald City, and within a year, she became a project manager.

Valerie thought Wayne would be happy for her. But then she soon realized it was just an excuse for Wayne to push her away.

Did he really like career-oriented women? The Laura she remembered was gentle and would cry at the slightest grievance. Valerie, on the other hand, was resilient. Her troubled family had taught her that tears were useless. They were clearly polar opposites.

Three months ago, Wayne's grandmother, Harper Smith, passed away. Her dying wish was for them to get married soon. In his uncertainty, Wayne held onto Valerie and promised in front of his grandmother that they would marry on the first snowfall. At that moment, Valerie cried tears of joy, thinking her wish had finally come true! She meticulously prepared for the wedding.

But just now, during the two hours after the scheduled time, she saw the news of Laura Johnson's return on the giant screen of the building across the street.

Laura wore a white mermaid dress, with a simple fur draped casually over her shoulders, stepping gracefully in a pair of silver high heels. At the airport entrance, a man in a cartoon headpiece held 999 roses and proposed on the spot.

Valerie recognized the sparkling diamond ring. It was the one she had loved, but Wayne hadn't bought for her. It turned out he wasn't short on money; it was just that he thought Valerie wasn't worthy.

"Laura, marry me." Wayne's proposal was clear and piercing. Valerie stared at the screen, watching as the headpiece was lifted, revealing Wayne's handsome, blushing face. Even though she had suspected it, seeing them kiss amidst the crowd's cheers left Valerie breathless with pain.

What did that make her? What about the vow Wayne made in front of Harper? Valerie tore up the appointment number for the marriage registry, her eyes reddening as she looked at the falling snow. The snowflakes were chilling to the bone, and she felt a sense of despair towards Wayne.

Not far away, a man sitting in a car was drawn to the woman at the entrance, his deep eyes fixed on Valerie for a long time. His fingers tapped the armrest of his wheelchair, his handsome face showing no emotion, but his voice was cold as ice, sending a shiver down his assistant Joseph Miller's spine.

"Hasn't she arrived yet?"

The temperature in the car plummeted, making Joseph shiver. He glanced at the time on the car's display and then cautiously looked at his boss, taking a deep breath.

"Mr. Carter, Ms. Davis she—"

Before he could finish, the phone rang. Howard Carter glanced at it and answered with a cold expression.

"Howard, are you kidding me? Taking advantage of my lack of knowledge about Emerald City to propose? Luckily, I did my research. You're just a cripple!"

"So what if you're the heir to the Carter family? Can you even hold that position?"

"I don't care how much you paid my family. This marriage will never happen unless I'm dead!"

The call ended abruptly. Howard's face darkened, his knuckles white as he gripped the phone in silence.

Joseph's face turned pale with fear. "Mr. Carter, don't be angry. I'll deal with the Davis family tomorrow."

It was 26.6°F outside, but Joseph was sweating. Howard looked up, his stern expression unchanging as he pressed a button on his wheelchair, opening the car door and heading towards the woman at the entrance.

At that moment, Valerie was about to hail a cab when she heard a clear voice behind her.

"Miss, would you marry me?"

Valerie stopped abruptly, slowly turning around, doubting her ears. The man before her was in a sharp suit, sitting in a wheelchair. Despite his mobility issues, he exuded a commanding presence. His expression was stern and serious, his deep eyes flashing with an undeniable determination.

Valerie was momentarily stunned. Joseph's reminder brought her back to reality. "Sir, we don't even know each other. Isn't this a bit too forward?"

She tried to leave, but Howard blocked her path. His eyes had a magnetic pull, making her look again and fall deeper. He was even more handsome than Wayne!

Valerie, feeling defiant, asked, "Did you go to college?"

Howard, surprised by the question, thought of his PhD and nodded lightly.

"Do you have a house?"

Howard, noticing Valerie's tearful eyes, smiled. "I have land."

Valerie assumed his family ran a farm and sighed. Compared to Wayne, this was far from ideal. Even in defiance, she couldn't marry just anyone.

As Valerie was about to refuse, Howard spoke slowly, "That land was later developed, and the government compensated us with a commercial apartment."

"I was stood up today. If you agree to marry me, I'll transfer the apartment to your name as compensation."

"Also, you won't have to take care of in-laws. We'll live separately."

"I have limited mobility, so you won't have to fulfill marital duties."

Valerie's heart wavered. Logic told her to refuse, but deep down, she was tempted. Her eyes flickered with uncertainty, her hands twisting together, fingers whitening as she hesitated.

The man she loved had proposed to someone else. Did it matter who she married now? Thinking of her father, who constantly harassed her for his gambling debts, she saw this as a chance to escape her suffocating family and start anew.

"I need money. How much can you give me?"

She needed a substantial sum to sever ties with her toxic father.

Howard didn't expect her directness but appreciated her straightforwardness. The woman before him was breathing heavily, her eyes filled with hesitation and struggle.

He smiled knowingly. "In addition to the house, the government also compensated eight hundred thousand dollars. Is that enough?"

On the screen, the proposal reached its climax, with Wayne and Laura sharing a passionate kiss. Valerie clenched her fists, gritting her teeth. "I agree!"