Mathilda

It was already ten o'clock in the evening when Jessie Lin came home from school. The street was full of noise, as if it were very lively. However, her heart was still depressed.

With her eyes full of sadness, she could not even remember when she had started to become accustomed to live all by herself.

Although she was not physically alone in the house, she still felt like it, and acted like she was alone. She did everything all by herself—eating, sleeping, shopping, and even leisurely watching drama series on her own.

Being like an introvert, it seemed that Jessie Lin had always been alienated and very difficult to get close to.

Meanwhile, when Jessie Lin arrived home, the villa was as dark as usual. However, today was a little bit different for it seemed more unusual than before. When she came home, she saw the Butler, Lucy, waiting at the door.

"Oh, hey, Lucy! Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I'm glad you're back, Miss Jessie. The master is waiting for you in the study upstairs. He asked you to go to him as soon as you came back."

Jessie Lin then looked up at the study on the second floor. She gave Lucy a quick nod and a yes, and then went upstairs.

Rat-tat!

"Come in."

Jessie Lin pushed the door open and stood beside the desk. In a low voice, she began to talk to her father and asked, "Dad, what can I do for you?"

"There you are. Yes, in fact, I have something important to discuss with you. Have a seat." Darren Lin, her father, put down the documents that he was holding, and said with concern, "Jessie, I know that although you are the eldest daughter of our Lin family, I am aware that I have never provided you with much good things. I know that you are going to graduate next year, and you are too innocent for your own good. Which brings me to my decision to arrange your marriage. I want to find a good man for you, so that you will have someone to rely on in the future."

Darren Lin spoke as if he were a good father to her. He felt guilty and wanted to make up for his past mistakes because he very well knew that he had owed her a lot, and for many reasons.

'Innocent, huh?'

Jessie Lin sneered at herself. Ever since she was ten years old, she had already realized and had been in touch with the reality of the world around her.

She knew at an early age that she was basically a dispensable member of the Lin family, except for a little bit of value that she was worth. If she had not disguised herself, then maybe she would have never stayed alive until now!

'Hmm...Rely on?' She knew that she could only rely on herself and no one else. Who else could she rely on?

Her father who only had a brutal heart? Or her mother? But she was very mentally ill that she could not even take care of herself, let alone her own daughter!

Jessie Lin became silent for a while. With purity and innocence, she then looked straight into her father's eyes full of cunning and said, "Thank you for your concern, Dad. But I don't want anything or anyone to rely on. I just want to be with you and mother for all my life."

"Oh, my silly daughter! That would be so unfair to you! Jessie, I am just thinking about you and your future. Your mother and I will leave you on your own one day. And besides, look at your mother's current situation. I hope you understand that we can't just put all of the burden on you alone. You will be very tired if that happens. In any case, you must have heard about the Lan family. I have talked to them several times and they all like you very much. We share the same hope that our two families can be united by marriage one day."

"The Lan family?"

"Yes, you are not mistaken. In fact, the Lan family is a noble and respected family. Although Mark has some disabilities, I'm sure that your life will be secured as long as you marry him. What's a little disability for a life of comfort and security? Aside from that, as long as you are in the Lan family, we will surely have a backer in the future, and our family's business will also be..."

Upon seeing her father's sparkling eyes, Jessie Lin felt so sick of him. Just listening to his controlling demand made her despise him very much.

He said he was doing this for her.

But, she knew well what was behind his sweet words.

Come on, he was asking her to marry a disabled man! Wasn't that equivalent to destroying her whole life?

Really? For her own good? She could take care of herself and she did not need him to worry about her future! He meant well. It might have sounded promising, but in fact, he was just afraid that if she refused to marry the man, then he couldn't do business with the Lan family!