Richard ignored her confusion. “Excuse us,” he said to Tom, guiding Elizabeth a few steps away. His voice lowered, but his words were sharp. “I’ve told you already. You need to marry if you want your inheritance. I’m not getting any younger. I want grandchildren.”
Elizabeth stared at him, her heart racing. “Marriage? I’m only 23! And he’s what, 40?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “A good man? His company got sued for dumping chemicals into the air!”
Richard shrugged, unconcerned. “Nobody’s perfect.”
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. “I’d rather marry the first man I meet than anyone you pick.”
Richard smirked. “I’d like to see that.”
“Then watch!” Elizabeth snapped, spinning on her heel and rushing outside, her father close behind.
Elizabeth ran through the estate gates, her heart racing as the cool night air brushed against her face. Behind her, she could still hear her father’s steady footsteps, never far behind.
She didn’t know where she was going, but she couldn’t stay there. As she hurried down the road, a figure appeared—a young man, about her age. His clothes were worn, his shoes scuffed from hard work, and his hands rough and calloused.
Of course, this was her luck—the first man she’d run into after her wild declaration. “Great,” Elizabeth thought. “Father’s going to love this.” She glanced over her shoulder and saw Richard standing there, his arms crossed, a smug smile on his face.
“What are you doing?” the man asked, his brow furrowed as he looked at Elizabeth, clearly confused.
Elizabeth tightened her grip on his arm and whispered, “No time to explain. I’ll tell you everything later.” She turned to face her father, her voice loud enough for him to hear. “Well, Father, meet my future husband…” She hesitated, suddenly realizing she didn’t know the man’s name.
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