Ugly Bloodline

"Boss, we received the money." The underling of the man came and whispered in his ear.

The man's grin widened. He tapped Lunara's cheek lightly, his expression smug. "You seemed to be lucky." Standing up, he surveyed the room. "Let's go."

When they finally left, Lunara exhaled a long, shaky sigh. Her chest heaved as panic still lingered in her veins. "Mom..." she murmured, trembling as fresh tears began to gather in her eyes.

But outside, the leader of the thugs made a phone call. "Mr. Grantham… I finally understand why you insist on getting her," he said, a smug smile creeping across his face.

"What do you mean?" Eryx replied, sounding puzzled.

"That girl, she's fucking beautiful. If she's not yours, I'm sure selling her would make me hit a jackpot." The man's words hung in the air, and the conversation fell into an uncomfortable silence.

Eryx frowned, his voice colder than before. "Fucking beautiful?" He repeated the phrase, He didn't understand. The girl didn't look anything like that.

He remembered their short meeting. She had put on a lot of makeup, bold one, but it didn't change the fact that she looked boyish. There was nothing special about her appearance. If he was being honest, he didn't care about how she looked.

The reason he chose her was simple. At that moment, she seemed like the best choice. The marriage, the money and everything just made sense with her.

"I don't care how she looks," Eryx said quietly. "I just need her to marry me. That's it. She's the easiest option."

He hung up the phone, not caring about the details anymore. Lunara didn't matter to him. She was just someone he could use. He chose her because she was convenient, and that was it.

His plan was simple: marry her, get what he needed, and then divorce her when the time was right.

"Callum…" Eryx pressed the intercom. "Get the car ready. We need to go to the Marriage Bureau."

That was the day Lunara became Mrs. Grantham. But that's it, after registering the marriage and signing the contract papers, Eryx left without another word.

Her debt was gone, but so was any support. No money, no home, nothing to fall back on. She had to start from zero.

The first few months were the hardest. There were days she barely had enough to eat, nights she lay awake wondering if she had made the right choice. But she refused to break. She worked hard, scraped by, and slowly, she rebuilt her life.

Now, two years later, she stood by the hospital window, watching the cold settle in. She had kept the flower shop alive, but her mother's condition had only worsened. The doctor's words echoed in her mind—she had to be ready for the worst.

The door suddenly swung open.

Lunara turned sharply, her eyes narrowing at the man standing in the doorway.

She let out a cold laugh. "I thought you were dead." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "Two years to finish off all that money? That's quite a surprise."

Gideon chose not to respond to Lunara's remark. He stepped inside and took a seat.

"What do you want?" Lunara narrowed her eyes in annoyance as she watched Gideon cross his legs.

"You know what's even more surprising?" Gideon leaned back. "That woman survived for two whole years." He snorted. "Don't you think it's a waste of money to spend so much on someone who's going to die anyway?"

"Watch your mouth," Lunara gritted her teeth in anger. "It's my money, and I decide how to use it."

Gideon crossed his arms, nodding slightly. "Well… I heard you've been looking for more money lately. Want me to help you?"

"Suddenly?" She snickered. "It's not like I don't know you, Mr. Winfield. I hate to admit it, but since your dirty blood runs in my veins, I know exactly what's on your mind. There must be something you want and that's the only reason you'd show your ugly face here."

He clicked his tongue. "Talking to your own father like that? Who taught you to be this rude?"

"You," Lunara shot back without hesitation. "Don't you know that?"

She crossed her arms and took a step back. "And please, leave. I don't need any offers from you. After all, I've lived just fine without your help my whole life."

"Ah… that's bad. I already agreed for you. You can't back out now." He let out a cold laugh, filling the room with an unsettling chill.

Lunara's eyes widened instantly. "What are you doing this time?!"

"Well…" Gideon scratched the back of his neck, completely unfazed by her outburst. "There's this old grandma looking for a wife for her grandson. I couldn't refuse her request… especially since she already gave me the money."

Lunara's patience snapped. "Liar! I know you cook another stupid story?! Did you take out another loan?" She lunged forward, grabbing his collar. Her grip tightened as fury burned in her eyes. "I'm not falling for your tricks again! Ask your lovely daughter to do it!"

"Woah, I never thought your boyish attitude would still be intact, even with your new style," Gideon sneered, eyeing her from head to toe.

"And Eloise can't do it… she is not on your level. She's about to get engaged to the heir of Solterra Group."

"Solterra Group?" Lunara frowned. She never cared about high society or business empires. "Do you really think the heir of a top company would tie himself to an unknown family?"

"Why worry about my family's affairs?" Gideon shrugged. "All you need to do is go to Aurevo Grand Hotel and meet him and yes, do the thing you need to do." He tossed an envelope onto the table before leaning in.

"Oh, and don't worry," he added with a smirk. "The man is old enough… might have low energy to keep you up all night." He lowered his voice. "Ten years older than me."

"Bullshit!" Lunara shoved him away, her voice sharp with anger. "I never have anything to do with you anymore! Get the hell out!"

Gideon only grinned, shaking his head. "I figured you'd be difficult…" He reached into his pocket. "That's why I came prepared."

Before she could react, a sharp sting pricked her neck. Her eyes widened in shock as dizziness washed over her.

"Sweet dreams, my lovely daughter," he whispered, watching as she collapsed.