Both daughters are dear to his heart, and he didn't want either of them to marry into the Hallow Family, that crocodile pit. But if he had to choose, he would rather Luna marry in. Her carefree nature might spare her so hardship. But Charlotte is different; a too-delicate woman in such a family might be devoured completely.
Charlotte said nothing, gave a faint smile, and walked inside.
The man ahead did not stop, so she had to quicken her steps to keep up.
The procedure was straightforward, but there was a slight awkwardness during the photo-taking. He did not smile, and she didn't know whether she should, so she chose not to. They sat in front of the red backdrop, perfect as if in an oil painting. The photographer looked at them and said, "A bit closer, and smile..."
Charlotte sighed inwardly, leaning slightly toward Atlas. Just as the photographer was about to press the shutter, she gave a faint smile. As she moved closer, his breath beca more pronounced, mingling with her soft hair.
When the procedures were completed, the staff handed each of them a small red book. She was about to put this small book into her large backpack when his hand stretched over, opening before her.
His long fingers and the clear, profound lines of his palm were undeniably presented before her.
What did he want with this little book? Didn't he have one too? This one was hers, and she should keep it herself.
The little red book had not yet ward in her hand when he took it swiftly from her palm and turned away.
"Madam, my na is Daniel Parker. Here's my number; you can call for anything. President Hallow has urgent matters to attend to and will need to leave imdiately. Please, you head back to the Hallow Family yourself for now." The man who had been following Atlas presented a business card to Charlotte. She took the card; it bore a na embossed in an elegant script with a row of numbers, but no other titles.
His scent faded slowly into the air with his departing footsteps, coming and going hastily...
Charlotte stood there, feeling as if in a dream. Just monts ago, she was a single girl, and now with the seal's press, she beca a wife. People now called her Madam; all these changes were beyond what she or the Miller Family could control.
How strong must one be to determine the life they want?
Back at the Miller Family ho, the once cozy and comfortable little villa seed to have lost its forr ease. In truth, nothing had changed, but everyone's mood had.
"Have lunch first before you go. Dad will take you," suggested Sister-in-law Lee, who had already set a steaming al on the table. Charlotte went over and hugged Sister-in-law Lee's plump fra; the table held dishes like eggplant and lotus root, her favorites when she was ho.
Typically, als ca with endless conversation, but now the silence was overwhelming.
They had only heard of the groom coming to collect the bride, not the bride being delivered to the groom's family. This sowhat humiliating scenario cast a silence over the entire Miller Family.
That night, it suddenly rained heavily, relieving the day's oppressive heat but failing to ease her inner unease.
She didn't know what the Hallow Family would be like. Peering through the private road halfway up the hill, she could faintly see that castle-like house. Would this be where she belonged in the future?
"Charlotte, just bear with it. Dad will find a way," Charles Miller said, looking at Charlotte's drifting gaze, his nose tingling as tears nearly fell. How had his treasure ended up in such a situation?
"I will..." Having returned ho, she now understood a bit of the circumstances. Marrying into the Hallow Family was unavoidable; it was her or her sister. But what did the Hallow Family see in them?
The car stopped before the imposing iron gate; it seed the Hallow Family was unwilling to let Charles's car enter. They only opened a small door for people, from which a person erged, opening a large black umbrella. When Charlotte got out of the car, the umbrella covered her head, pressing down like a looming cloud, leaving her slightly breathless.
This wasn't a daughter getting married off—it was just sending a daughter over. The Miller Family couldn't even drive their car into the Hallow Family, and this marriage hadn't started on equal footing.
"Young Madam, this way, please..." The middle-aged man gestured with a respectful posture.
"Butler Kent, should I put Young Madam's luggage in the Young Master's room?" asked the servant, quietly, as they unloaded Charlotte's baggage.
Butler Kent nodded expressionlessly and then led Charlotte into the Hallow residence.
The path ahead might be thorny, but there was no turning back. With elegance and determination, Charlotte entered the Hallow Family. So what if it was a crocodile pit? She wasn't fighting for right or wrong; would they really devour her?
There must be quite a few people living in the Hallow residence, but it was surprisingly quiet, like a cursed castle. Even the footsteps of servants were hardly audible, either absorbed by the long-haired carpet or they were accustod to walking lightly. Charlotte was led to the top floor by the housekeeper; the Hallow Family mansion had five floors, and Atlas lived on the top one.
"Young Madam, please rest for now. Press the bell if you need anything, and I'll co up." Butler Kent, though expressionless, seed sowhat respectful. The elevator took Butler Kent, along with the last bit of human presence, away from that floor.
Though the entire fifth floor was filled with luxury, it was terribly lonely, as if no one had ever lingered here.
Suddenly, the image of Atlas assailed Charlotte's mind—was this his room? Would she be living here from now on?
The day's events replayed like a slideshow in Charlotte's mind, yet it all felt dreamlike. Only when her phone rang did her wandering thoughts return. She fished for her phone from her bag; the number displayed belonged to Luna, who had eloped with Jack Smith.
"Charlotte, I'm sorry..." Luna said with a carefree tone that conveyed no genuine apology.
"Sister, where are you? Mom and Dad are worried about you." Charlotte spoke dispassionately, standing in the unfamiliar room.
"Don't worry about my whereabouts. I didn't an to run away, Charlotte. You know? Your new husband isn't even a man. I discovered this secret and Atlas almost wants to kill for it, so I have to stay hidden for a while. I sent you a wedding gift. Aside from that one thing, he's practically perfect." Luna sounded mysterious, but despite having no prior romantic encounters or experience with n, Charlotte understood what Luna said.
Atlas Hallow had a physical defect?
"So I sent you a gift to accompany those long nights, these wedding gifts will bring you different sensations..." Luna's voice grew enthusiastic. "They're all the latest toys, wildly exhilarating. I sent them to the Hallow household; make sure not to open them in front of others."
"Are you crazy?" Finally reacting, Charlotte realized what Luna had sent her.
She didn't need it. Even if her husband had issues, she wouldn't resort to using toys.
Just then, she heard the door open, startling her into dropping her phone on the gray carpet. Turning around, she saw Atlas standing two ters behind her...
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