Unexpectedly Sweet Flash Marriage

Chapter 4 Negotiating the Terms

Chapter 4 Negotiating the Terms

"Okay. I understand that you have conditions for our marriage." Curtis said this after exhaling a sigh of relief.

Adeline froze for a moment, not expecting this big shot, who was known in Sawell for being cruel and intimidating, to be so kind.

After taking a deep breath, Adeline explained, "I want a small house. It doesn't have to be large, and even a modest apartment would work, but the property deed must include my name. I don't want to live in your family's house after the wedding because I only want to live in a small apartment. I want that apartment to be mine if we end up getting a divorce."

She reasoned that she would have fewer worries about her future if she had a small apartment of her own.

After hearing her mention divorce, Curtis felt as uncomfortable as he had been stung by a thorn. "What about the second condition?" he asked.

"I don't want to live in my family's house anymore after we got married."

She needed her own place because she didn't want to be too close to her family, but she didn't tell him what she was thinking.

Curtis eventually said softly, "Don't worry. I may be disabled, but I still have enough money to buy you a house.

He quickly glanced at Steffen, saying, "Transfer the house at Bay Hall to Mrs. Riley now."

"Got it," Steffen replied. He then began making phone calls to handle the matter.

Adeline's eyes widened briefly in surprise.

She was familiar with Bay Hall because it was close to the school where she worked.

The house was in the most prime location in the city. A small apartment would cost tens of millions of dollars, and even buying a place was extremely difficult. She couldn't believe he would really give her that apartment for free.

The car arrived at the Marriage Bureau while she was still dazed and confused.

A man rushed up, out of breath, and handed Steffen a file as soon as Adeline stepped out of the car.

"I got this done as fast as I could, Mr. Degen."

Steffen browsed through the file before politely handing it to Adeline, saying, "Mrs. Riley, this is the property Curtis gave you. I've already gotten your ID card from your parents for you, and I'll take care of the rest of the paperwork later."

Adeline was too shocked to say anything and accepted the property ownership certificate in a daze.

Her heart had been restless for a few days, like a wandering soul, and it was only now that she felt completely relaxed.

She had never expected Logan's uncle would make her feel safe, which was a rare feeling for her.

Adeline felt conflicted and bittersweet, so she promised him, "I'll be good to you from now on."

"Okay." Curtis beamed a bright grin.

Adeline wheeled Curtis to the Marriage Bureau in his wheelchair. Steffen led the way, and they were able to get a marriage license quickly.

Adeline was too dizzy to notice that Curtis, usually a reserved man, cracked a rare smile of genuine happiness as they snapped pictures.

She didn't have time to look at the marriage certificate before Curtis took it away.

"I'll give Steffen the marriage certificate so he can handle the legalities of transferring house ownership. Let's go back to your place so you can get your stuff."

Curtis appeared calm as he explained, but in fact, he thought, "I'm not giving you your marriage certificate because you won't be able to divorce me in the future that way! There's no way I'm divorcing you!"

Adeline agreed with a nod and said, "Okay."

Adeline agreed with a nod and said, "All right."

Soon after, the car arrived at her house.

Adeline didn't ask Curtis to accompany her to her door when she arrived. Instead, she only told him she'd be back soon.

When Adeline entered the living room, her parents, Phillip Burton, and Edith Burton, were waiting for her on the couch.

"Dad, Mom, I'm here to pack my things." Adeline turned around and headed for the stairs after she finished.

"Stop!" Phillip shouted excitedly as he stood up.

Adeline stopped. Edith rushed to her side and slapped her across the face before realizing what was happening.

The loud slap resonated throughout the living room.

Edith snarled, "Adeline, you're such a bitch! How could you possibly have slept with Logan's uncle? Shame on you! How could Claire marry Logan after what happened?"

When Adeline learned that her parents were most concerned with whether or not her sister Claire Burton could marry Logan, she sneered.

Her parents' scheme was for her to lose her virginity so that her sister Claire could marry Logan instead of her.

Adeline was devastated at the moment, even though she already knew what her family was planning.

The more she thought about it, the more enraged she became, and she couldn't help but defend herself by shouting, "I didn't sleep with Logan's uncle by choice! I'm the victim."

Edith shouted even louder, "What? What gives you the impression that you're a victim? It takes two to tango! You moved to Logan's house before you two got married! How do you expect others to respect you when you don't even respect yourself?

"But don't you have any idea why I moved into his house?" Adeline looked at her mom tearfully, and her tone only grew harsher.

She examined her mother's face intently for any sign of remorse but was disappointed to see none.

She finally reached her breaking point after years of being humiliated by her parents.

Edith's rage grew as she saw her previously timid daughter change into a tough cookie. "Don't you dare to look at me like that? Do you still believe you're right? We still have to figure out how to make up for the fact that you hit Mr. Baker on the head."

Edith raised her hand and tried to hit Adeline again.

Adeline grabbed Edith's wrist and said, "Mom, Curtis Riley is waiting for me outside right now! Are you sure you want to hit me? He's sure to see it!"

Edith had heard of how scary Curtis Riley was before, so she withdrew her hand reluctantly.

Adeline climbed to the second floor and began packing her belongings without looking back.

She didn't own much stuff, let alone anything valuable. She only kept the certificates and documents she needed for her teaching career, leaving behind everything her sisters had given her because they didn't like them.

"My daughter is getting married, like many of my friends' daughters, but she didn't bring me anything!" Phillip shouted as she walked down the stairs.

Curtis was wheeled in by Steffen in his wheelchair just as Phillip finished speaking, and his gaze turned cold when he noticed Adeline's cheek was red and swollen.

Adeline went entirely still.

Steffen took a few quick steps forward and stepped in front of Curtis after noticing his fierce gaze. "Mr. Riley was worried that you couldn't carry your luggage by yourself, so he wanted to come in and help," he explained right away.

Adeline's eyes were bloodshot, and her cheeks were swollen with pain. She was so embarrassed that she didn't dare to look at Curtis, so she failed to notice the fierce expression on his face.

She said as she dashed over to Curtis and grabbed his wheelchair with both hands, "I've got it. Come on, let's get going.

She was then about to push Curtis' wheelchair away.

"There's no hurry." Curtis made a gesture to stop her. His slender fingers pushed his glasses against his nose, reminding him he should pretend to be a gentleman.

Adeline's parents were creeped out by his "friendly" smile.

Curtis managed to control his impulse to kill them. With a pat on Adeline's back, he said, "Your dad does have a point. I should indeed bring some gifts for your parents. I'm sorry, I should have thought of that."

"Curtis!" said Adeline anxiously, as she didn't want Curtis to be exploited by her cruel family.

Curtis reassured her by patting the back of her hand and saying, "I know what I should do."

Curtis looked at Phillip and asked, "Dad, how much do you think I should pay you?"

Phillip had just made a casual remark, as he didn't really want to ask Curtis for money because he'd heard the man was notorious in Sawell for his cruel ways.

Curtis had become disabled and thus ineligible to inherit the Riley Group, but he still had some power that he had accumulated previously.

Phillip didn't want to irritate Curtis, so he said awkwardly, "It's up to you. You can pay me the same as most people pay their fathers-in-law." Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

After some consideration, Curtis nodded and said, "I already promised Adeline a house in Bay Hall this morning. I'm trying to think of something more."

Viola Burton, who was yawning at the time, entered the room. She stared at him in surprise when she heard that.

"A house in Bay Hall? That's the most luxurious apartment in the city!"

"Mommy, I want to live there!" Viola exclaimed as she grabbed Edith's arm.