Chapter 7

With his father watching, he dialed his assistant's number and curtly canceled the order for the acquisition of the Gulliver family's business. Oliver stood up and said, "Don't even dream that I'll be nice to her. She doesn't deserve it." With that, Oliver left Peter's study. As he stepped out, he saw the woman waiting by the wall. Grace met his gaze, her clear eyes blazing with a mixture of fire and forbearance. He glanced at her and left. Then Grace went into the study. "Mr. Jefferson, you said that as long as I marry into the family..." Before Grace could finish her sentence, Peter cut her off coldly. "From now on, no one in this house is to mention this matter again. The Gulliver family's crisis has been resolved, and Oliver will never repeat his mistake." Just as Peter was about to leave, Grace stubbornly blocked his way. "Empty words won't do. I need a written agreement." Even Rodrigo was stunned by her words, which threw Peter's words into question. Having their words questioned irks everyone, but especially the imperious Peter. As Grace surprised him by requesting a written agreement, Peter's face darkened. Sensing his rising temper, Rodrigo quickly interjected, fearing Peter's anger might scare off the new bride. "Madam Grace, you'll find Mr. Jefferson is a man of his word. You'll understand in time. When he says he will protect the Gulliver family, he means it. There's no need for a written agreement. Once you join our family, we are all united, and a written agreement would only create distrust." After ending his speech, Rodrigo gave Grace a look, silently urging her to drop the stubborn act. Although she was tempted to speak further, Grace took Rodrigo's good intentions to heart and remained silent. On the contrary, Peter left the study in a huff. Back in the bedroom, Peter was fuming. He asked, "Why would the Jefferson family want her as a daughter-in-law if it weren't necessary?" Rodrigo tried to calm Peter down. "Calm down, Mr. Jefferson. Madam Grace is young and direct. Unlike others, we understand her motivations for marrying into the Jeffersons. From her perspective, her behavior is understandable. "Just yesterday, she was a Gulliver, and now, on her wedding night, Mr. Oliver wants to acquire their family business. It's only natural that she's worried about her family, which explains her impulsiveness." These words only slightly calmed Peter's anger. "Get two men on guard duty outside their room. Make sure nothing else happens tonight." "Yes, sir." Grace knew that she had upset Peter, but she couldn't shake off her worries. What if the Jefferson family's memory fades over time and they go back on their word? But she knew she couldn't go to Peter again. As Grace was walking, she suddenly heard an argument coming from downstairs. Driven by curiosity, she approached the railing and gazed down below. It was Oliver. He was trying to leave, but Rodrigo and Jason were trying to stop him. "Mr. Oliver, tonight is your wedding night. You should be with Madam Grace. It's considered unlucky for newlyweds to be apart on such an occasion." Hearing from the maids that Oliver was leaving, Rodrigo raced to stop him. Jason happened to be leaving as well and encountered the scene. "Oliver, you're in your late 20s. Can you stop being so childish? Grace is your wife, and you are responsible for her. If you leave tonight, how will she be able to hold her head up in the Jefferson family tomorrow?" "Jason, you know that I don't want anything to do with this marriage. I was only ordered to get married, not to consummate it. Don't stop me. You can't stop me." As Oliver reached for the door, Jason blocked his path once more. "Grace is watching you from the second floor." Oliver turned his head, looking up to see Grace in a little dress. He swallowed, and without a word to Jason, he walked past him and left the Jefferson residence.