The night was cold, and in the vast room, the atmosphere was heated, with hormones running wild in the air.
Lillian was pressed against the glass, facing the sea, too weak to respond.
Afterward, her legs trembled slightly, and Conrad took a sip of water before feeding it to her.
He brushed her damp hair aside and stroked her back, prolonging the aftertaste.
Lillian’s heart, racing fast, gradually calmed down.
He felt the warmth of her skin under his hand, leaned down to kiss her, and softly said, “It’ll be boring staying at home. How about inviting Melissa over tomorrow to keep you company?”
Lillian replied coldly with sarcasm, “I wouldn’t dare. I don’t want her to get caught up in the mess because of me.”
Conrad didn’t respond. “Once this period is over, I’ll start a film company for you. Whatever you want to film, just tell me. You won’t need to worry about financing.”
Lillian looked out the window. “Sure, Mr. Conrad, you are so generous.”
Conrad didn’t pay attention to her sarcasm.
He had restricted her freedom, not allowing her to go out whenever she wanted, so it was normal for her to be angry.
Lillian tried to get up to take a shower, but when she saw Conrad about to follow her, she coldly said, “The only time I have any freedom is when I go to the bathroom. Please don’t follow me. Tonight’s enough.”
She slammed the door behind her, not wanting to speak another word to him.
Conrad had to be with her 24/7 now.
Whenever they went to the company, he would lock her in his office. At home, other than when she was showering, she had no time to herself.
Lillian closed her eyes for a moment.
But she didn’t believe Conrad could keep this up forever. After all, the White family was closing in on them, and they wouldn’t give up so easily.
Conrad wasn’t about to let everything, including the shocking international business deal that even the higher-ups cared about, get ruined just for her. It wasn’t just the Brown Family Group’s problem; even City N would become the target of criticism.
After her shower, when she came out, Conrad was leaning against the headboard, talking on the phone.
When he saw her, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.
“Yeah, got it. Just schedule the time, and that’s fine.”
Lillian didn’t want to hear anything about his business.
Conrad noticed her distracted expression, hung up the phone, and slowly spoke. “I have to go to the old house tomorrow. Stay home and don’t wander around.”
Lillian forced a smile. “Well, that’s not guaranteed.”
He pulled her under the covers without getting angry, not showing any signs of frustration.
Just like he’d said before, he wouldn’t let go, not even in death.
No matter how much she resisted, as long as she was still by his side, that was enough.
******
When Conrad returned to the old house, he already expected the White family to be there.
After all, with such a unique core technology, the White family was now incredibly influential.
He had been biding his time, watching the White family to see what they were really after.
Now, they had finally come to him.
The initiative was now firmly in his hands.
“Looks like everyone’s here today.”
“We’ve been waiting for you.” The family’s elder, the third uncle, waved at him. “Conrad, you’ve been so busy you haven’t had time to come by! You’ve made your grandma miss holding her little great-grandson!”
The family laughed and waited for Conrad to sit down.
Kenneth was frustrated. It was supposed to be a family gathering, but the White family was there as guests, clearly aiming to settle the marriage.
Just the thought of this kid gaining more power made Kenneth’s chest tighten.
The Brown family was large, and people had a lot to say.
There were plenty of onlookers eager to see if Miss Daisy would really be married into the Brown family.
Daisy, however, appeared composed. She had been unable to sleep a few nights ago, but her heavy makeup covered it well.
“Conrad.”
Conrad smiled slightly. “Miss Daisy, you’re early today.”
“Why are you still being so formal? You two are practically family now,” someone teased.
Conrad sat down. “That kind of talk isn’t appropriate. I don’t mind, but Miss Daisy isn’t married yet. It wouldn’t be good for her reputation.”
The person who spoke quickly fell silent. Nelson’s face turned sour.
Daisy, anxious, tugged at her father’s sleeve. Only then did Nelson stop moving.
Old Mrs. Brown said, “Now that everyone’s here, let’s eat. I’ve brought out some fresh mushrooms from the farm this morning to treat you all. I hope you enjoy.”
The White family wasn’t going to show any disrespect to Old Mrs. Brown. After all, who didn’t know that the most secretive and calculating member of the Brown family was her?
Once Conrad sat down, he didn’t say a word, just focused on eating.
Daisy watched him closely, several times, feeling that he didn’t seem to know about the things she had done.
But the uncertainty weighed heavily on her, leaving her feeling uneasy.
She needed to settle things once and for all.
After the meal, Nelson invited Conrad upstairs to a small conference room, accompanied by several influential family elders from the Brown family.
It was also a way to give face to the White family, so that if the talks didn’t go through, at least his daughter wouldn’t be ridiculed for throwing herself at them.
As soon as Conrad entered the conference room, he knew that this group of people had already reached a consensus.
After all, a marriage alliance was the simplest and most efficient way to handle things.
The group of people was happily discussing matters, but it wasn’t until later that they remembered the key person, who had been sitting in the lounge area, puffing on a cigar, with smoke swirling around him. The young man was ruthless, vengeful, and was the new head of the Brown family.
He had earned the position with his skill and decisiveness, handling every matter with perfection over the years. He would never drop the ball on something like this. In the past, when the White family’s capabilities didn’t quite match up, the technology alone could make up for it.
Besides, marrying one woman and having several others on the side wasn’t a big deal. The Brown family wasn’t poor enough to support those women.
Nelson, however, wanted Conrad to make a clear decision. Things had dragged on for too long. His family had been the subject of ridicule for a while, and it was time to take a stand.
“Conrad, it’s time for you to speak up. Where do you plan to hold the engagement party with Miss Daisy?”
“You’ve all made your plans, and now you want to ask me?” Conrad smiled coldly, but there was no joy in his eyes.
Everyone knew that this guy was rebellious by nature and hated others making decisions for him.
His third uncle was the one to speak up, trying to save face. “Well, you can tell us then.”
“Brown Family Group must invest in advance. Any other conditions are non-negotiable.”
Investing in advance meant essentially handing over a fortune in dowry before the engagement, letting Brown Family Group get involved in the core technology. If Conrad later decided not to go through with the engagement, he wouldn’t lose anything.
The White family would never agree to such a one-sided deal.
Nelson’s face alternated between pale and red with anger. “Our daughter isn’t desperate to marry, Conrad. Young people can be bold, but there should be some sincerity too.”
“Brown Family Group is the greatest sincerity you can get. Who else can handle this patent besides us? Either you keep it for yourself, or you let us take it.” Conrad leaned forward and tapped his finger on the coffee table. “You can try. Either it rots in your hands, and in the end, you have to hand it over, or we invest in advance.”
The elders of the Brown family fell silent. At this negotiation table, they wouldn’t openly oppose Conrad.
Nelson was so angry he almost spat blood.
This arrogant brat was playing dirty.
This was an outright warning.
Nelson’s face stiffened, and for a moment, he couldn’t save face.
Conrad smiled and leaned back on the sofa.
“Give me a day to think about it.” Nelson stood up angrily and stormed out.
On his way back, he must have been cursing Conrad’s arrogance, but that was beside the point.
Meanwhile, Old Mrs. Brown kept Conrad behind. “You did all of these for Lillian? You don’t need to answer. I already know part of the reason is for her.”
Old Mrs. Brown added, “The White family isn’t something you can just crush whenever you want. The way you’re treating them, how will the other families think? Without the White family, the Brown family could be in danger too. You need to think things through; there has to be some room to maneuver.”