CHAPTER 6

Hearing what she just said Simon stared at Granny Charlotte like she had just announced the end of the world.

"You can't be serious," he said, his voice low and sharp with disbelief. "You're putting all your inheritance on the line for one person?"

His eyes narrowed, trying to read her face, but she remained as calm and unbothered as ever.

Then Granny Charlotte simply smiled. "Why not? You've met her. Isn't she worth it?"

Simon rubbed the back of his neck, sighing deeply. "You're worth over a trillion dollars, Granny. And that's not even counting the International World Museum."

Granny Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "I know exactly how much I'm worth, Simon."

As she finished speaking, she tapped her phone screen and sent the message she had been typing.

Simon's phone buzzed almost instantly.

He pulled it from his pocket, his heart already racing, and his eyes scanned the screen. The sender: Granny Charlotte. The message: sent to the entire family.

His heart sank the moment he read the content.

[To all my grandsons.

Whoever wins the heart of Hailey within one month will inherit everything I own—my full estate and the key to the International World Museum.

Win her heart, and the rest of your lives will change.]

Immediately Simon was stunned. Stupefied. He blinked a few times, like the words might disappear if he stared long enough.

"You sent it…" he said, slowly lowering the phone. "You really sent it."

Granny Charlotte turned to him with a satisfied smile.

"And one more thing," she said. "Whoever wins Hailey's heart will be the first to know what your grandfather said before he died."

Simon's eyebrows lifted sharply at that. That wasn't something she tossed around lightly. Granny Charlotte never spoke about their grandfather's final words—not even to her children.

Without wasting anymore time he quickly grabbed her hand, not in anger, but in urgent confusion. "I thought you wanted me to marry her, Granny. That's what you've been saying all along. Why would you bring the rest of the family into this?"

Then Granny Charlotte let out a light chuckle, completely unbothered.

"Oh Simon," she said. "You're not the only grandson I have. You all have the right to try. This is my inheritance we're talking about. It has to go to someone who truly deserves it."

Simon's shoulders tensed. His lips pressed into a straight line.

Granny Charlotte turned, stepping toward the Rolls Royce with a little spring in her step. As she opened the door, she looked back over her shoulder.

"I've given you a head start, Simon," she said with a smirk. "You're the only one who knows where Hailey is staying. I even arranged a date for you already. So yes, you're ahead of all your siblings."

She slid into the car seat and added with a wink, "Oh, and by the way—I don't want Hailey to know she's being pursued by my grandsons. To her, only you will be known as my grandson. The rest will come off as complete outsiders."

Simon sat there for a moment, frozen.

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry at his grandmother's bold declaration. This wasn't just a family competition it was a war disguised in charm and suits. And somehow, he was supposed to make Hailey fall in love with him before any of his other cousins even found her?

He sighed, staring at the tinted glass window as Granny Charlotte adjusted herself comfortably in the back seat, humming like nothing major had just happened.

"She doesn't even want to marry into this family, Granny," Simon finally muttered, shaking his head. "You saw it yourself. She's hurt. She just escaped the worst day of her life, and now… now I'm supposed to be the prize she didn't ask for?"

Granny Charlotte didn't even blink. "You're thinking too much. She might not want to marry into this family right now, but give it time. Make her want it. Make you the reason she smiles again."

Simon gave a dry chuckle. "That easy, huh?"

Granny Charlotte leaned forward with a sparkle in her eyes. "If I were you, I'd make sure I seal the deal tonight. Do everything possible to win Hailey over. Before your cousins start sniffing around."

Simon exhaled slowly, then placed his hands on the steering wheel.

"Fine," he said under his breath. "I'll be the one to win."

**

Meanwhile, Hailey stepped into the elevator, still trying to process the events of the day. The moment the door slid shut, her back leaned against the cool metal wall, and she closed her eyes. She needed rest. She needed silence. She just needed her bed and a warm shower to wash away the memory of that cursed wedding.

When the elevator dinged and the doors opened, she stepped out slowly, her heels clicking softly against the hallway tiles. Her apartment was only a few steps away. She was already picturing the couch and curling into it with a blanket.

But then—Noise, Voices. Movement, Something didn't feel right.

Hailey's pace quickened as her brows creased. The closer she got, the louder it became—thuds, dragging, zipping, muffled laughter.

And then she saw them.

Her boxes. Her things. Her belongings—clothes, shoes, makeup kits, kitchen items—all packed up and sitting outside her apartment like unwanted trash.

Her eyes darkened.

She stormed forward and pushed past two workers carrying her mirror stand. Her heart beat faster as she reached her door—wide open—and saw more workers removing furniture, unplugging wires, and tossing things carelessly.

"What is happening here?!" Hailey shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

Immediately everyone paused, One worker dropped a stack of books. Another stood still, eyes wide.

Hailey scanned the room, her chest heaving. And then she saw him.

The building manager, standing by the window with a clipboard in hand.

She walked straight to him, her expression hard.

"Mr. Samson," she said sharply, "what is going on here? Why are my things outside?"

Mr. Brown, the building manager, didn't flinch. His tone was casual, almost bored, like what he was saying wasn't completely insane.

"Miss Hailey, your rent is almost due," he said, flipping through papers on his clipboard. "And we've already found someone who's ready to take the apartment. In fact, they're moving in now."

Hailey's eyes widened in disbelief, she blinked hard, thinking maybe she had heard wrong. "What?!"

Her voice bounced off the hallway walls like thunder.

She stormed up to him, standing directly in front of him, arms shaking. "What are you talking about? I still have a whole month left in my rent! What kind of madness is this?!"

Mr. Brown sighed and waved a hand dismissively. "Doesn't matter. The deal's already been finalized. So, you'll be leaving the building with your things in the next few minutes."

Hearing his words Hailey's jaw dropped, She stepped back, hand on her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. This wasn't happening. This had to be a joke.

"This is total bullshit!" she snapped. "You can't just throw me out like this! It's illegal!"

Mr. Brown's face turned a little more serious then. His voice dropped low. "Miss Hailey, I'd watch my words if I were you. We already have security in place to remove you if needed. And to be honest, you should've known better than to offend someone like Benjamin Taylor."

Immediately Hailey's heart skipped.

The name sliced through her like a cold knife.

"Benjamin…?" she whispered, barely able to breathe.

So, he really was behind this.

First, he humiliated her in front of hundreds. Then he tried to destroy her character. And now… now he was making sure she had no place to sleep? No place to hide?

Tears threatened to fill her eyes again, but this time, they were burning with fury.

"You people are monsters…" she said, trembling. "All of you."

She turned sharply to Mr. Brown, her eyes now red and sharp. "You're corrupt! You sold your soul for money! Do you even have a conscience?"

Mr. Brown gave a smug shrug as he stepped out of her apartment. "Conscience doesn't pay bills, Miss Hailey. Now, I suggest you get started with moving your things. Because once the security guards come, they won't be this gentle. And you might not have anything left to take home."

Hailey's heart started pounding heavily, faster than she could control.

Her chest rose and fell quickly. The weight of reality slammed down on her all at once. She was still in her wedding dress, creased, dirty, torn at the hem, and now she had nowhere to go. Her apartment was gone. Her belongings were being thrown out like garbage. And the worst part? She had no strength left to fight back.

She could sue them, yes, maybe someday. But tonight?

Where would she sleep? Where would she even change her clothes?

Tears pressed behind her eyes, but she fought them. Not again. Not here.

She looked around and saw her things—clothes she'd folded perfectly, her mother's old photo frame, her books, makeup scattered, boxes torn. She couldn't pack everything like this. Not alone. And once the security guards arrived, they would throw everything out without care. They'd ruin it all.

Just then, Mr. Brown took a step toward her again. His voice was lower this time, quieter, more sly.

"You really shouldn't have messed with the Taylor family," he said softly. "You know they're one of the top five richest families in the city, right? You don't go around offending people like Benjamin Taylor and walk away free."

His eyes studied her like she was some toy, and his voice dropped another level, almost like a whisper.

"Maybe if you had a friend in the right place… maybe I could help you out, Hailey."

His hand moved up slowly toward her face.

Without wasting anymore time Hailey immediately grabbed his wrist and pushed it away.

Her eyes flared. "What are you trying to do?"

Mr. Brown smirked. "Come on, now… just trying to be helpful."

But when she tried to step back, he reached again, this time trying to forcefully touch her cheek.

That's when someone cleared his throat behind them.

The sound was sharp loud enough to make Mr. Brown flinch.

They both turned instantly.

Standing just a few steps away was a tall, well-dressed man with a clean-cut suit, polished shoes, and a calm but dangerous expression.

"What do you think you're doing," the man asked coolly, "in of my apartment?"

Mr. Brown raised his brows. "Excuse me?" he asked, straightening his shirt. "Who are you? And what nonsense are you saying? This apartment belongs to someone from the Taylor family."

Hailey just stood there, confused, still gripping her own arms as the tension rose.

Mr. Brown scoffed and turned to walk back into the apartment, but he didn't get far.

Ding.

The elevator behind them opened with a soft sound, and out stepped another man Sir Connor, one of the wealthiest property investors in the city.

"Sir Anderson," Sir Connor said with a bright smile, stepping forward. "It's such an honor to do business with you. GK Apartments building is now yours. The paperwork is completed."

He extended his hand for a firm shake. "You can do whatever you want with it, starting right away."

Mr. Brown's face dropped like ice water had been poured on him.

Hailey's mouth opened slightly, stunned.

The tall man Anderson nodded once and shook Sir Connor's hand.

Mr. Brown and Hailey stood frozen, unable to believe it.

They couldn't believe this tall man was the new owner of the building.