Chapter 4 Forced to Marry

"Listen, Harrison. If you don't bring me a granddaughter-in-law within a week, you're going on blind dates," Martha demanded. Her first step was to threaten and bribe. "Otherwise… I don't want to live anymore! Just let me die with regrets. Let me go to the afterlife and apologize to your dead parents and grandfather!" Martha exclaimed dramatically. Her second step was to use death as leverage. Harrison let out a helpless sigh. "Grandma, you're being completely unreasonable." Martha huffed and said matter-of-factly, "Yes, I'm being unreasonable. Now, go figure it out yourself!" Harrison couldn't do anything about her, so he had no choice but to give in. "Fine. I'll find one for you right away." Her third step was to seal the deal. Martha's lips curved up into a triumphant smile as she reminded him, "Don't forget. Within a week!" Harrison rose to his feet in silence. His expression was dark as he strode out of Martha's room. Lewis finally spoke once he was certain Harrison had left, "Mrs. Spencer Senior, aren't you afraid that Mr. Spencer will truly get angry if you push him like this?" The smile on Martha's face gradually faded, and a trace of sorrow surfaced in her timeworn eyes. "Harry's parents died when he was very young, leaving only him behind," she explained. "All his uncles may appear respectful after Albert's passing, but in reality, they've always been watching like hawks. They're just waiting for their chance. "The reason I'm pressuring him like this is because I want him to start a family soon. It'll ensure this bloodline of ours will continue." Her words carried both helplessness and concern. … Pierce Young, who had been waiting by the black Maybach, opened the door to the back seat as soon as he saw Harrison step out of the manor. "Mr. Spencer," Pierce greeted. Harrison stopped beside Pierce and instructed, "Find out everything about the woman from last night. Leave no stone unturned." "Yes, sir," Pierce responded. Harrison lowered himself into the car as the door slowly closed behind him. Pierce quickly got back into the front passenger seat. With the low hum of the engine, the car slowly pulled away from Spencer Manor. … Serena left the hotel and went straight to a pharmacy to buy emergency contraception. Since Harrison had rejected her marriage proposal, there was no need for her to be entangled with him. He was not someone she could afford to provoke, after all. She would treat last night as if it was a stroke of bad luck. She didn't suffer much damage, anyway. Serena then hailed a cab and headed straight to Chandler Group. Memories from the previous night at Hotel Imperus came flooding back as soon as she arrived. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, they were clear and filled with resolution. Serena wore a small smile as she walked into Chandler Group's lobby, her heels clicking on the floor. She stopped at the front desk and said, "Hello, I'm Serena Linden from Linden Group's Project Management Department. I'd like to schedule an appointment with your vice president, Mr. Jeremy Hood." The receptionist looked up and gave her a once-over. "Serena Linden?" Serena nodded slightly and maintained a polite yet measured smile. The receptionist's attitude shifted instantly, and her tone turned impatient at Serena's confirmation. "I'm sorry, Mr. Hood has said he's not taking any visitors today." Serena instinctively tightened her grip on her handbag upon hearing the response. She kept the smile on her face as she said with sincerity and humility, "Could you please tell Mr. Hood that I'm here to apologize?" The receptionist ignored her. Serena continued to plead humbly, "Please, let him know I do have something urgent to discuss." The receptionist finally relented at her persistence. She said, "I'll call Mr. Hood's assistant and check." "Alright. Thank you," Serena said. The receptionist then dialed the internal line. After a brief exchange, she put down the receiver and relayed the message to Serena, "Ms. Linden, I apologize. Mr. Hood's assistant said he's currently busy. He asked that you wait in the lounge area for now." Serena knew perfectly well that Jeremy had instructed his assistant to say this on purpose. He was making things difficult for her because she had injured him last night. She decided to let it be. Sometimes, one had to swallow one's pride. Serena nodded and said nothing. She turned around and walked over to the lounge area to sit on a couch. Over an hour later, Jeremy's assistant finally came down. "Ms. Linden, Mr. Hood's schedule is full today. He really doesn't have time to see you." The assistant stepped in front of Serena, and his gaze hinted at something unsaid. "But Mr. Hood said that if you're truly sincere about apologizing, he'll be waiting for you tonight in Room 888 at Nightshade Bar." Serena's smile froze for a moment upon hearing that. Then, the assistant added, "Mr. Hood also mentioned that if Linden Group wants a shot at the Eastside project, you'd need to show some sincerity and conviction." The corner of Serena's lips twitched. Then, she forced a bright smile as she replied, "Alright, I understand." There was no way to reclaim her parents' belongings if she didn't secure the Eastside project. But if she went to Nightshade Bar tonight, she might never escape Jeremy's grasp. What should she do? Was she really going to go down with that scumbag? In the end, Serena left Chandler Group with a heavy heart.