Married the Second Young Master for Money

"Auntie, don't you think it's kinda contradictory to ask that? If you know no woman wants to marry your son, then why would you offer up all your family's assets just to get the family to advertise for him? Isn't that, like, a total lose-lose?"

Molly Wood forced a smile, but the tears were already falling.

She couldn't stop them. They rolled down her face, and she wiped them fast, trying not to show how broken she really felt.

"My son used to be amazing... like, actually amazing. He was a genius in the business world and the old master adored him. But life was cruel. Five years ago, he got shot during an accident. Even though they saved his life, he never woke up again. Money means nothing to me anymore. But if it can convince the family to give him one last shot at being cared for, I'll take that risk. I still hope that one of the women who used to like Chase might see the marriage ad and decide to marry him, to care for him. But..."

None of the girls who used to be obsessed with her son showed up. Not even one.

Suddenly, she grabbed Lydia Miles' hand tightly, her voice rushing out, "Lydia, I swear I don't want to ruin your life. If you regret this now, it's not too late. The old master hasn't come back yet, and your marriage papers aren't done. You can still leave."

"No. I'm not leaving. Not now that I'm here. He'll wake up. He has to." Lydia's voice was firm. She wasn't backing out.

She had to protect Yuna here. She hadn't even met her precious daughter yet.

Even though she really wanted to ask Muxin about Chase's child, she stopped herself.

She was new here, and no one had mentioned anything personal about Chase to her yet.

If she just asked, it might come off weird, like she had some other agenda.

She had to be careful. She'd take it step by step.

That night, Lydia stayed in Chase's room.

She had already asked Muxin for his medical records to figure out what exactly had been happening with his health all these years.

After reading through the reports and checking out Chase's current condition, it honestly didn't seem like he was in a true vegetative state.

If nobody had been flipping him or massaging his body regularly, his muscles should've already wasted away.

Lydia pulled out a silver needle and pricked Chase's index finger.

A drop of blood slid down, and she caught it in a clean glass cup. Once she got enough, she stopped the bleeding.

Several cups were lined up on the table by the window, all of them filled with a special liquid to test the blood.

Night got deeper.

A light breeze blew the window open a little, the leaves rustled gently outside, and the stars twinkled across the sky.

Lydia looked away from the night view and stared at the man in the bed. After she had cleaned him up that afternoon, his face was finally visible.

Even though he looked thinner than before, his features were still really handsome.

She could remember clearly that night from six years ago. This was only the second time she had seen him... and again, he was asleep.

The next morning, a servant knocked on her door and asked her to come to the main hall. The elders of the family were back.

They wanted to see their new granddaughter-in-law.

The main hall was already filled with many people, all relatives of the Gordon family.

They eyed Lydia with curiosity, whispering among themselves.

Zi stood behind her father, Xiao, seething with anger at Lydia. "Dad, it's that awful woman! She not only hit me but also hurt my brother. And she got Grandma to lock us in that disgusting room all night. You have to stand up for us!"

Sitting next to Xiao was Lilian Rowe.

Though she was equally furious, she maintained a composed face to uphold her dignity as the lady of the house.

Lydia stood in the center of the grand hall, facing the powerful family.

Her expression was calm and composed, showing no sign of intimidation by the empire's most influential family.

"Are you the one who tore down the marriage notice and agreed to marry Chase, the second young master?" asked the elderly man seated at the head of the hall.

He was He, the most respected elder of the family and Chase's grandfather.

The events of the previous day had already been explained to him by the matriarch.

"Yes, I am Lydia Miles," she replied, her voice steady and unwavering.

"Everyone knows that the second young master has been bedridden for five years, diagnosed as a vegetative state. Since you came to the Grand Palace, you must be aware of this. I see you are young and beautiful, with all your faculties intact. It shouldn't be hard for you to marry into a good family. Why would you choose to sacrifice your happiness for someone who can't give you a normal married life?" the old man asked again.

Even though Chase was considered a living dead, he was once his grandfather's most cherished grandson.

Now that a woman was willing to marry him and care for him, as a grandfather, he needed to understand her intentions.

"It's a mutual benefit. Your family needs someone to care for the second young master for life, and I want to marry into power and influence. In this empire, there's no other family like yours," Lydia stated bluntly, making it seem like her motives were purely for fame and fortune.

"For money?" He asked coldly.

"I'm an orphan. I've seen the coldness and hypocrisy of people outside, how they deceive each other for money and status," Lydia replied, her voice carrying the weight of her experiences.

"I'll take care of him, and in return, your family gives me the title of Second Young Mistress and the monthly allowance that comes with it. It's a win-win for both of us."

She couldn't tell the family that she was doing this out of gratitude or that she was here to find out about her children.

The only excuse that would convince them was the pretense of doing it for money.

"You shameless woman! Who do you think you are? Dreaming of becoming my second brother's woman, the Second Young Mistress, is nothing but wishful thinking. Grandpa, you must not agree to this. How can a woman who is only after money and fame be worthy of my brother?" Violet couldn't help but step forward and voice her opinion loudly in front of the family.

"Exactly..."

"Yes, this woman is too deceitful."

"How can the family accept such a Second Young Mistress?"

"We can't agree..."

The uncles and aunts around chimed in with their disapproval.

Mindy Wood sat in her chair, listening to their words.

Her hands, clenched into fists on her lap, betrayed her anxiety that the old master might be swayed by their opinions.

"Charlotte is right, Grandpa. You must not agree to her. A woman willing to sacrifice her happiness for money, can she truly be good to Brother Chase?"

At that moment, a young woman who had been standing among the crowd suddenly stepped forward to join Violet in her opposition.

"I admit I'm willing to marry Chase for money. But what about you? Would you marry him for money too?" Lydia Miles looked over at the woman standing not far away, noting from her tone that she seemed to have a close relationship with Chase.

"Or are you saying you'd marry him without any thought of money, just to take care of him for a lifetime? Bathing him, cleaning up after him, changing diapers? Day in and day out, year after year?"