Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
Winston’s words kept repeating themselves in Morgan’s mind as she looked at him incredulously.” What did you say about the Goldings? What do you mean? Explain it to me!”
Morgan had no idea about her family’s financial situation since her parents had never talked to her about it. She’d assumed everything was fine. However, seeing the smug look on Winston’s face, Morgan deduced he was probably not lying.
No wonder her parents were so eager to arrange a blind date for her. They wanted to secure financial assistance for the Goldings. Morgan began to understand many things. But the more she thought about it, the more anxious she became.
“Calm down, Morgan.” Danika held her hand. “Don’t panic.”
Danika’s calm voice soothed Morgan’s nerves, and she replied, “Okay.”
The two returned to their seats. Since they had no intention of leaving, Winston also sat down and leisurely said, “The Goldings are about to go bankrupt. Your father approached my father and hoped that I would marry you. It would be a marriage between our families, and it would help your family’s finances.”
Although such marriages were not uncommon, the Goldings must really be in a dire situation to resort to an arrangement like this. Winston’s father thought that as long as he offered his help, the Goldings could tough it out and maintain their status quo.
“But…how is this possible…” Morgan was still reeling in disbelief.
“There’s nothing impossible. That’s how business is. Even big companies can go bankrupt. Didn’t the same happen to the Lawrences and Dickmans?” Winston explained.
Seeing the blank look on Morgan’s face, his tone softened a bit. After all, they bore no grudges against each other, so there was no need to keep belittling her. Besides, he was not interested in Morgan. He had his eye on Danika. To gain her favor, he had to restrain himself.
Morgan started to cry silently, but she quickly wiped her tears away. She looked at her phone, intending to make a call. Danika didn’t stop her. It was better for her to clear things up with her parents instead of being kept in the dark.
The moment Morgan left to call her parents, Winston smiled at Danika. “Miss Zellweger, here’s my business card. Feel free to call me anytime.”
Danika didn’t take it and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Mr. Murr, that’s not very appropriate.”
“What’s not appropriate? Morgan doesn’t like me, and I don’t like her,” he said. His gaze remained on Danika, and it was obvious that he was saying, “I don’t like her, but I like you.
Danika thought he was interesting. He could speak so candidly, which wasn’t something ordinary people could do.
“I’m sorry, I already have a boyfriend,” Danika said, not wanting to talk to him any longer.
Winston looked disappointed but quickly brushed it off. “It doesn’t matter if you have a boyfriend. Do you mind having one more?”
Danika couldn’t hold back her laugh for real this time. “You really don’t mind anything, do you?”
“Well, beautiful women deserve to have more boyfriends.” Winston laughed. To him, playing around was normal, so having a few boyfriends was no big deal.
Danika didn’t feel like continuing their conversation. Just then, Morgan came back. Her eyes were red, and she looked like she’d been crying. She sat back in her seat and looked at Winston with a less haughty expression.
“Mr. Winston, I’m sorry for my attitude just now.”
“It’s okay, I understand. If it weren’t for the Goldings’ financial trouble, your father wouldn’t have considered me.” Winston was well aware of his position in this arrangement.
Morgan laughed dryly, her expression gloomy. “I just thought about it, and I think you’re not that bad, Mr. Murr. We can try to get to know each other. What do you think?”
“Oh?” Winston raised his eyebrows as if he’d heard something interesting. “So, you don’t mind us leading separate lives after marriage, right?”
Morgan minded it a lot, but what else could she do?
If she didn’t marry Winston, the Goldings would face bankruptcy. Although she didn’t care about the family’s fortune and wealth, it was the result of her parents’ lifetime worth of hard work. Faced with such a situation, Morgan couldn’t just stand by and do nothing, could she?
She forced a smile and said, “I don’t mind. I think it’s fine.”
She’d already made up her mind. If worse came to worst, she would just pretend she didn’t get married. After all, she didn’t want to see Winston any more than necessary. He was free to do whatever he wanted.
“Heh, that’s quite surprising.” Winston chuckled. Seeing Morgan’s demeanor earlier, he thought she was very proud and wouldn’t easily bow down. As expected, she couldn’t bear to let the Goldings go bankrupt. If they became bankrupt, she would no longer be the little princess of her family. Naturally, she couldn’t bear to part with that kind of status.
“Okay. I’ll come to propose in person some other day. Don’t worry; I’ll follow the proper procedures and won’t embarrass you.” Winston stood up and looked at Danika longingly. “Won’t you consider having another boyfriend?” he asked.
Danika’s face darkened. “This guy just said he’s going to propose to Morgan, and now he’s asking if I want another boyfriend. What a jerk!” Danika cursed in her heart.
She ignored him and looked at Morgan. “Refuse him!”
“Danika…” Morgan was embarrassed. She knew Danika didn’t want her to suffer, but her family’s situation was really out of her control.
“Refuse him. I’ll help you think of a way,” Danika said, her gaze firm and unyielding.
Morgan felt a strange sense of gratitude when she looked at Danika, but she disagreed with her suggestion. “Danika, I know you mean well, but…I’ve made up my mind.”
“You…” Danika was a bit angry at Morgan’s persistence.
“I’m old enough to make my own decisions, Danika.”
Since this was Morgan’s private matter, even if Danika could help, she couldn’t force Morgan to refuse her help if she didn’t want it.
Winston chuckled lightly and left the restaurant.
Morgan could finally eat her meal in peace without him around.
“Morgan, you have to think it through. This is a lifelong decision. Are you sure you’re fine with marrying such a jerk?” Danika couldn’t bear seeing her go through with such an arrangement. She knew what Morgan was worried about, so she continued, “I can help with your family’s problem. If I can’t help you, I can ask Eustace. He’ll definitely be able to help you.”
Although their relationship was not particularly close, Danika still cared about Morgan’s lifelong happiness and didn’t want her to ruin it for her family.
“Danika, I know you mean well, but I can’t accept your help.”
Although the Goldings bankruptcy problem was quite substantial, she was sure Eustace would be able to help. However, she knew that Danika had divorced Eustace. If she really had to ask him for help, Morgan would feel guilty. She knew how willful Danika was.
Since Morgan insisted, Danika couldn’t offer her help even if she wanted to. With a helpless sigh, she said, “Well, it’s up to you. If you want to refuse him, you can tell me anytime. Sometimes, you don’t have to force yourself too hard.”
It wouldn’t matter if it were something else, but Morgan’s marriage and lifelong happiness were at stake this time, so Danika thought it was better to be rational about it.
Morgan nodded and said, “Okay, if I need your help, I’ll definitely ask you, Danika.”
Danika just smiled, knowing Morgan was just being polite and wouldn’t really ask for help. Well, there was no point pressing her. It was up to Morgan herself.
The two of them ate silently, and the atmosphere turned unpleasant. After they had finally finished their meal, they walked out of the restaurant and looked at the night sky. Morgan didn’t feel any better.
“Danika, are you free? Please walk with me.” Morgan turned to Danika next to her. At the moment, she hoped that someone could accompany her; at least, it would make her feel less lonely.
Danika nodded. “Sure.”
They walked along the river, their hair swaying gently in the evening breeze.