Chapter 1516 Just A Deal
Yet, to Gabriella’s surprise, Edmund responded, “Is there a problem? You’re all relying on the Zander family’s money, so what’s wrong with her being the head of the household? It’s already good that she’s letting you enjoy your stay here.”
When the woman who was sitting numbly by the window heard that, her dull eyes lit up, and she straightened her back.
He’s not holding me accountable for that? In fact, he agrees that they’re the leech?
Meanwhile, Gabriella was livid after hearing Edmund’s response.
“We’re the one living off the Zander family’s money? Are you not working? Edmund, are you even a man? You’re one of the Coopers, so how can you shamelessly say such things?”
“Why should I be ashamed? I married her because of the Coopers, didn’t I?” he nonchalantly stated.
Immediately, Gabriella’s face turned red, utterly furious. At the same time, Tillie stiffened when she heard that.
She had mixed feelings as she stared at the man downstairs.
It’s not like he’s doing any better. For the Cooper family, he has come to the Zander family to propose to me even though he doesn’t like me; even though he has someone he loves, he still has to marry someone he doesn’t at all. That’s tough, isn’t it? That’s why there’s nothing wrong with what he says now.
Eventually, Gabriella slinked away, but Tillie continued to quietly stand there and watch the man walk up the stairs.
It seemed like he did not expect her to stand there as he froze when their eyes met. This is the first time he properly looked at me, Tillie thought to herself.
Nevertheless, their locked gaze only lasted a few seconds. The surprise in his eyes died away, and he turned to head toward his bedroom.
Unable to hold herself back anymore, Tillie cried out, “Edmund, wait! I have something to tell you.”
Then, for the first time, she mustered enough courage to run toward him.
Edmund stopped and turned to look at her coldly.
He hated her. Not only because of her face but also because she reminded him of how much of a failure he was.
He never thought that he would end up living like that.
He never thought that he would need marriage to complete certain things.
“Edmund, I just want to explain that I’m not thinking of being the head of the Cooper family. Mom and Violet asked the housemaid to buy something, but the housemaid didn’t. I think it’s because the housemaid only wanted my approval since I’m the one who hired her,” she explained.
However, the man seemed unfazed by it.
“You don’t need to explain it to me. You can do whatever you like in this house.”
Only when the man was about to enter his room did Tillie finally come back to her senses. She then rushed after him.
“If I settle everything at home well and return the Cooper family back to its glorious state, will you let me stay in the family forever? Will you not drive me away?” she blurted out as she followed the man.
Right as those words left her mouth, the man skidded to a stop.
Then, silence filled the place.
How much courage did I have to muster to say that?
Tillie did not know the answer to that.
She only knew that she was trembling terribly after saying that, but instead of panicking, she felt as if a weight had lifted from her shoulders.
For once, she felt like she was no longer working from the shadows. She did not need to be afraid that she would accidentally slip and fall into the dark, dark abyss anymore.
She liked that feeling.
She liked it even if he was going to curse at her again.
To her surprise, the man slowly turned to look at her with surprise, confusion, and impatience in his eyes.
“Aren’t you sick of this? Aren’t you sick of being with those unbelievable people?”
“No,” Tillie tentatively answered as she tightened her shaking fists.
“As long as you give me a chance, I’ll change the family for the better, and I’ll make them change for the better too.”
For a few seconds, Edmund did not know what he should say.
He was not Devin, who was simple-minded when it came to love. He was not Sebastian, who only loved one despite having tons of scandals. He, Edmund, was a renowned playboy.
He could read the minds of women as long as he interacted with them.
“Tillie, you know that our marriage is just a deal. You must have overheard me when I went to the Zander family to ask for your hand in marriage, right?”
Tillie paled.
Edmund continued, “I was clear when I said that I’d be working with the Zander family to launder some of the assets that my father has. I promised the Zander family that they would get one-third of those assets. Since you’ve heard me, you should know that our marriage is but a front. Why are you still trying so hard to preserve it?”
