Is It Worth It
Edmund was still rooted to the spot when Sasha left. Everyone was occupied. Nobody paid extra
attention to him, and neither did anyone notice when he walked out of the bar.
The next few days, Riley did not show up at the bar because something happened at the Coopers.
Her youngest sister was knocked up by a man. Consequently, she had to get hitched soonest possible.
“Riley, I can’t marry into his family just like that. We should demand for a house and a car at the very
least. Otherwise, it’s downright humiliating for me. How am I supposed to stand up for myself in his
family?”
“Yeah, she’s right! Nothing lesser than that,” Gabriella chimed in.
Riley went ballistic and retorted her sister, “Is that all you care about? Do you think you have the cheek
to make demands after having premarital sex and getting pregnant? The Coopers are now a laughing
stock because of you. Yet, all that you can think of now is wanting a house and a flashy car?”
How she wished she could knock some sense into her!
Why do we have such a twisted mentality in the Coopers?
Ironically, her sister did not feel sorry at all. Conversely, she failed to recognize her mistake and
behaved even more ridiculously.
“Yes, I’m the black sheep of the family. But, how is this my fault? Dad passed away without leaving us
with anything, causing others to despise us. I was just trying to find a good family to depend on for the
sake of giving the Coopers a better life.”
“You…” Riley was so furious that her body started shaking from anger.
In the end, Gabriella had to separate her two daughters. She pulled Riley into her room.
“Riley, that man has a decent family background. His father works at the Naval Force. Though his
position isn’t very high, a family as such is considered above average. Do you remember Desmond
Croll? He too climbed the social ladder step by step and raised to the top eventually,” Gabriella advised
her daughter earnestly.
Rubbing her palms, Riley had no choice but to agree to the marriage. She closed her eyes, trying to
suppress her displeasure.
“Fine, I got it. I’ll find a way to sort out the dowry. It’s best you stay at home and monitor her. Don’t let
her mess things up any further.”
She left the room right away.
A house and a car…
According to the standards of living in Jadeborough, these would cost approximately five to six million
at the very minimum. For a family like the Coopers who were already struggling to make ends meet, it
was almost impossible to have a wedding ceremony.
Bothered by financial quandary, Riley arrived at a nightclub.
“Oh hey, it’s Ms. Cooper! What brings you here today? Didn’t you swear not to return again?” the lady
boss at the nightclub mocked her.
Clenching her teeth, Riley endured the jeer. She used up all of the energy that she had left to prevent
her from running away.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Malvich. I was too ignorant last time. Could you please… contact the client once more? I
can keep him company tonight. However, I hope the price can be raised further to five million.”
She dug her sharp nails right into her palm when she spoke the last sentence.
Five million? Geri was amused and nearly burst out laughing.
A down and out socialite who is no longer a young and fine girl is asking for five million? What gives?
Who does she think she is?
Geri hesitated for a moment. As soon as she recalled how filthy rich the client was, she started plotting
to her advantage.
“Sure, I promise you. Can you start working now?”
“O-okay…” Riley shut her eyes and nodded her head quickly. Then, she entered the nightclub.
Later that evening, Edmund noticed the absence of Riley when he got home. On the contrary, he
realized that Gabriella and his two stepsisters looked exceptionally cheerful.
They were all browsing some brochures from a real estate company. There were also several car
magazines in their hands.
“You’re back?” Gabriella greeted him as soon as he stepped foot into the house.
After sweeping a cold gaze over her, Edmund headed to his bedroom straight away.
“Why is he acting like he’s a big deal? He will soon kneel before me and plead for my help once I’m
married,” the youngest of his three ladies proclaimed proudly.
“Just ignore him. Let’s continue with our selection,” another one urged.
Edmund did not hear what they said. When he came out from the shower, it was already nine in the
evening.
Buzz… Buzz…
“Hello?”
“Hi, Mr. Cooper. I was at the nightclub, and I think I saw your sister being dragged away. Do you want
to come over?”
It was his colleague.
Frowning, he was oblivious to the concept of having a sister. He blurted, “What sister? Who?”
His colleague replied, “Riley Cooper. I’m certain that she was crying when the old man took her away.
I’m afraid something might have happened…”
Slap! He slammed the phone.
Coincidentally, the weather turned gloomy. A bolt of lightning flashed in between the clouds,
illuminating the bedroom through the window.
Riley? No wonder I had a feeling that someone was missing when I was downstairs.
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