DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 4
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Chapter Franco Bamford
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Chapter4 Franco Bamford
Hearing the sounds outside the room, Franco Bamford called out from inside, “Is Carlisle back?”
“Yes, Grandpa, you still up?” Carlisle’s attitude became very respectful.
“Yeah. Come in, both of you.”
Carlisle pushed open the door, and the two walked inside.
Franco sat upright on the sofa, looking at Carlisle and Helene holding hands as they entered with a relieved smile.
Arranging the marriage for Carlisle was Franco’s last resort. He had been diagnosed with late–stage kidney cancer, with at most half a year to live.
He hoped to witness his only grandson getting married and having children while he was still alive.
At first, he worried that the rushed marriage would pressure his beloved grandson, but now that he saw Helene in person, he found her even more beautiful than in the photos. She looked gentle and pleasant, and the two looked like a perfect couple.
This reminded Franco of Carlisle’s ex–girlfriend, Sylvan Garcia, which made him concerned again.
According to his understanding of his grandson, Carlisle
wouldn’t usually be attracted to someone like Helene–quiet, introverted, and reserved.
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Because of Carlisle’s steady and conventional personality, he tended to prefer lively and outgoing girls who could add vibrancy and joy to his life, just like Sylvan once did.
The fact that Carlisle agreed to marry Helene, whose personality was the complete opposite of Sylvan’s, made Franco worry that it might result from Carlisle giving up on love entirely.
This was the most concerning issue for Franco.
“You must be Helene Lopez?” Franco motioned for her to come closer.
Helene politely said, “Nice to meet you, Grandpa.”
Franco handed her a check for five hundred thousand, “My dear, this is for you. Hope you two can respect and love each other for the rest of your life.”
Helene received the lifesaving check, feeling a sense of guilt bubbling up inside.
“Thank you, Grandpa,” Carlisle thanked on behalf of Helene.
Feeling even more awkward, Helene hurriedly added, “Thank you, Grandpa. Carlisle and I will live a happy life together. Please rest assured.”
Franco nodded with satisfaction and then turned to Carlisle.
Carlisle understood what Franco meant; he wanted him to make a promise too.
Carlisle hesitated and didn’t speak immediately.
Helene looked at him and caught the struggle and hesitation
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on his face.
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After a long while, Carlisle finally said, “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Miss Lopez.”
Carlisle used “responsibility” rather than more affectionate terms, making it sound forced or done under pressure.
Nevertheless, having obtained Carlisle’s promise, Franco felt more relieved.
The two of them returned to their room.
Though the room was simple, it had an elegant atmosphere. The main bedroom had a large wooden king–sized bed, a bright and clean balcony, and even a walk–in closet.
The bedding on the bed seemed new, like a freshly bought double–sized duvet, still unopened in its packaging.
Helene frequented furnishing stores, and she knew this brand wasn’t cheap; a set like this would cost several thousand
bucks at least.
Did Carlisle always use such luxurious things?
As she was thinking, Carlisle handed her a document with the “Prenuptial Agreement” written on it.
Helene paused momentarily, then took the agreement, unsure what Carlisle meant.
Carlisle gestured for Helene to sit on the bed and pointed out the critical items on the agreement.
“Today, my grandfather gave you a check of five hundred thousand, and I’ll transfer the additional fifty thousand that
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you lent from me to your account by this weekend.”
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“And one more thing. My grandfather has been diagnosed with cancer and has only six months left. I want these remaining six months to be happy for him, so I need your cooperation.”
Helene looked at the line Carlisle pointed to on the agreement: “During the marriage, the couple is not required to have sexual relations. They should appear as an
affectionate couple, including possible intimate physical contact.”
“And here,” Carlisle pointed to the last item, “after six months, we’ll agree to divorce, and the bride token will serve as the financial compensation for the wife.”
Fifty thousand bucks to buy her for six months?
Helene was somewhat surprised.
So, after six months, she could regain her freedom.
Seeing the undisguised joy on Helene’s face, Carlisle suddenly looked serious.
He added a sentence to the agreement, “Before completing the divorce procedures, the wife must fully repay the fifty thousand owed to the husband. Otherwise, the marriage will continue until the debt is repaid.”
Was he worried that she would default on the payment?
He meticulously did things. No wonder he’s an IT guy.
“Look closely at the agreement, and sign it if you think it’s fine.” Carlisle handed her a pen.
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Helene quickly read through the agreement. The main points were highlighted by Carlisle, stating that all pre–marital and post–marital properties would remain separate.
She initially thought it would be a 50-50 split. Still,
surprisingly, the agreement explicitly stated that the husband would cover all living expenses after marriage, and the wife would have no financial burden.
Helene signed her name with delight.
Carlisle visibly relaxed, and then he put away the agreement.
At this moment, Matilda came in with Helene’s luggage; she mentioned that Franco had just twisted his waist and asked Carlisle to check on him.
Carlisle and Helene hurried to Franco’s room.
They saw Franco leaning on the sofa, not daring to move.
“Grandpa, how are you? I’ll call emergency right away,” Carlisle said nervously.
“Wait.” Helene stepped forward and gently pressed a few acupuncture points on Franco’s waist to confirm that it was only a minor strain.
“It’s too late. I’ll give him a massage and apply some medicated plaster. He’ll feel better by tomorrow morning.”
Carlisle was somewhat skeptical.
But under his grandfather’s insistence, Helene took out the medicinal oil and massaged him.
With each precise touch on the acupoints, Franco’s pain
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eased considerably.
Carlisle saw this and felt slightly relieved.
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After Helene finished the massage, Franco could move again, and he praised her skills.
Franco was so pleased that he couldn’t stop smiling, feeling like he had found a treasure.
“Helene, you and Carlisle should make a baby. When you get pregnant, I’ll give you this courtyard as a gift. How about it?”
Just that one sentence nearly choked Carlisle, who was about to leave the room.
“Grandpa, that’s no rush. You should rest early.”
This courtyard was worth tens of billions, and the temptation was too great for anyone.
Carlisle was worried about his grandfather’s fancy.
Helene, on the other hand, was relatively calm. Since they were getting divorced after six months, she definitely wouldn’t have a child with a stranger just for a house.
The two of them returned to their bedroom again. Carlisle took out a card from his pocket and handed it to Helene.
“This is my salary card. Just keep it for all the household expenses, including the monthly salary for our housekeeper, Matilda – that’s 9,000 bucks…”
“That’s a huge salary,” Helene took the card.
“My aunt introduced her, and she’s competent and reliable.”
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“Does that mean I can make decisions about household
affairs in the future?”
“Of course, but for important matters, you have to discuss them with me.”
“What do you mean by important matters?”
Carlisle paused, not having thought about what constituted a
critical matter.
“Is it important to change the housekeeper to a cheaper one?” Helene genuinely felt that this housekeeper was expensive.
“It’s unimportant, but you think her salary is too high?”
“It’s one–third of your salary; isn’t it high?” Helene looked at Carlisle with surprise, sensing a difference in their
perspectives.
Carlisle frowned; he wanted to say that even one of his shirts cost more than nine thousand.
“Well, whatever. You can decide now,” Carlisle said, grabbed some fresh clothes, and headed for the bathroom.
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