Morning ca slowly over the Adkins mansion. Sunlight slipped through the tall windows, falling on polished marble floors. Maids moved quietly from one corner of the lounge to another. Their heads stayed low, their steps light. They knew better than to speak unless spoken to.
Just because Ariana and Chris finally got their marriage certificate doesn’t an the marriage was over.
No, it was just starting.
The Willard’s have played their part, it was now ti for the Adkins to do theirs. The biggest family in the world. The na Adkins was a household na, there wasn’t anyone who hadn’t heard of them.
But behind their grand gates, things were different.
If the world knew the truth, they would laugh. The Adkins formally known as the Petersons, had nothing left. Their na was gold, but their bank accounts were dust. Why? Because the money wasn’t theirs.
It belonged to the madman.
As long as that madman still breathed, the Adkins’s wealth would never belong to Christian or his parents.
Years ago, they received 20% of the Adkins inheritance through a contract. They spent it without care, bought luxuries, and threw lavish parties almost every day in an attempt to build connections. Now it was gone. And they were desperate.
That’s why they needed Chris to marry into wealth. The Willards were clueless about the Adkins situation.
The Willard family, though they have no idea of their bankruptcy, they where a good coverage before they stole the remaining 80% of the Adkin’s wealth from the madman.
This is the reason they had been looking for a bride for the madman.
It was all Christian’s idea. If the madman gets married, it ans his wife automatically owns everything he owns. She could easily file for a conservatorship and control all of his wealth since he wasn’t ntally stable.
All they needed to do was control her. That is why Christian had picked Penny. Penny is easy to control, she’s uneducated and would do whatever they wanted.
She is the key to them getting all of Osvaldo’s wealth.
And now, in the rose garden, sat Abby Adkins, drinking tea as always. This had beco her routine. A fake peace. A habit to calm her nerves. But her heart was far from calm.
She had sent over thirty won into that penthouse. None ca back alive. Not even their bodies. They all disappeared without a trace. Abby had lost hope long ago.
But Christian said this girl would be different.
Still, Abby doubted it. If Penny had survived the night, Hughes, the stupid housekeeper, would have rushed here with news. But the garden was silent. The path to the penthouse was empty.
Her patience was running thin.
"The whips are ready, madam," a servant said, stepping forward with bowed head.
Abby waved her hand slightly and the servant left.
"Whips?" Greg Adkins raised his brows. "What for?"
Abby sipped her tea calmly. "What else? That mad dog must have killed his new wife already."
Her words were light, but her tone was sharp and cold.
If Osvaldo had truly killed the last hope of their wealth, then today, she would kill him.
They had gotten nothing from taking care of him anyway. So what if they earned twenty billion and a few properties? That boy was a curse. A burden. Never grateful. Always silent. Always mad.
Abby could not forget the ti he almost killed her son while they were little.
"Be gentle, Abby. He’s still our only chance," Greg said in a low voice.
"For how long? Huh?" Abby snapped. "Do you think we can hide this forever? It’s only a matter of ti before people discover we’re broke Greg.
"We have nothing left to our na. I feel like the world is closing in on us." She scratched her thigh again. A deep itch that never went away.
Greg looked at her. "Still itching?" His eyes went down there and Abby closed her legs.
She nodded but brushed it off. "Our dignity is more important than this sickness."
She had a sickness, one that needed millions for treatnt, but they had no money for it. Not when they were arranging for Chris’s marriage to the Willard’s daughter.
Greg has told his wife countless tis to forget the marriage and focus on her health but she refuses. She cares more about her social status than her health.
"I spoke to Timothy," Greg changed the topic. "He sold a few lands last week. And I asked him to sell more for the wedding."
"You did what?!" Abby hissed. "Are you insane? You touched the madman’s property?!"
"You think anyone will find out?" Greg scoffed. "There’s no one left in that family. Just that old blind man and the lunatic grandson. Who will co asking questions?"
Abby paused. Her anger battled with her greed.
"How much did you make?" she asked quietly.
Greg’s lips curved. "The lands are rich in oil, gold, and crystals. I sold just a few plots. Got a hundred million."
Abby smiled at last. The money could save their faces. Just for now.
"Good. That will keep us safe. Until we can finally take everything from Osvaldo. All we need is that girl’s signature."
"Only if she survived," Greg added.
Just then, a voice ca from the hallway.
"Why wouldn’t she survive?"
Christian entered the garden. Tall, handso, and proud as he walked.
Abby turned to look at him, stunned.
"What are you talking about?"
"I just spoke to Barnaby," Christian said with a grin. "He said the madman... likes her."
He turned to his parents. "Didn’t I tell you? I never make mistakes."
"Where is she? Bring her to ." Abby said.
★★★
A/N: If you skipped the prologue, then you may find this Chapter a little confusing. But it’s okay, you’ll understand as the story comnces.
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