Chapter 5 There's a Bug, Not Sure If I Should Mention It!
Rebecca was in a daze until she sat down.
Once Frederick arrived at the banquet hall, he went straight to Elizabeth.
He didn't even make an appearance before the banquet ended.
The parking lot of the Windsor Mansion looked like a luxury car show, with cars roaring out.
Rebecca hadn't yet seen Isabella's car when the Windsor family's butler chased after her, saying Elizabeth had something to tell her.
But stepping into the dining room and seeing that tall figure at the table, Rebecca's heart skipped a beat.
"Mr. Windsor..."
Her voice had a barely noticeable tremor. Trying to stay calm, Rebecca sat across from Frederick and asked, "Mrs. Windsor, she..."
"It was me who called you here."
Frederick got straight to the point. "You and Dennis..."
"We've broken off the engagement!"
Rebecca said softly, "My father's passed away, my mother's in poor health, and I make my own decisions now. This engagement, I've called it off!"
"Frederick!"
Thinking of the reason she came here today, Rebecca seemed to make up her mind and looked at Frederick. "Let's make a deal!"
Frederick raised his eyes to look at her.
Meeting his deep gaze, Rebecca took a deep breath and said, "You need a girlfriend to put Mrs. Windsor at ease and to clear up those unspeakable rumors in Empire City. And I need a hundred million dollars to pay off the Getty family's debts. I can unconditionally cooperate with you, letting you focus all your time and energy on what you think is worthwhile. When you no longer need me, I'll leave immediately. During this period, I promise I'll be a qualified girlfriend!"
Rebecca tried to stay calm as she looked at him, but the blush on her ears betrayed her embarrassment and discomfort.
As if tying emotions to interests was something reprehensible.
Frederick's gaze shifted from her face to the window, looking at the heavy snow outside. His eyes paused for a moment.
Rebecca waited a long time for Frederick to respond.
She began to think that maybe he had used Elizabeth's name to keep her here just to teach her a lesson, to stop her from acting recklessly under the title of the future Mrs. Johnson.
Rebecca was almost at her breaking point.
The next moment, she heard Frederick's cold voice, "Okay!"
Rebecca looked up suddenly.
Frederick frowned and said, "But there's a problem..."
"According to your proposal, you become my girlfriend, unconditionally cooperating with all my requests, and I pay a hundred million dollars. So, how do we measure when this hundred million dollars' value is fully realized? A month? Or... as soon as I pay off the Getty family's debt, you break up with me?"
"Wouldn't that be a huge loss for me?"
Rebecca was stunned.
She wanted to say she wouldn't break up with him first, and that she wasn't that kind of person, but words alone weren't enough.
Besides, even if she said it, he might not believe her.
Rebecca's mind went blank for a moment.
Frederick's expression was unreadable, showing no emotions.
Only a fleeting glimmer of light in his eyes.
The next moment, he sat up straight, looking at her intently.
"I have a proposal!"
Frederick said in a deep voice, "Let's get married!"
Rebecca's eyes widened instantly.
Frederick explained, "If we get married, that hundred million dollars will be considered a joint marital debt, and I'll unconditionally help you pay it off. Divorce is much harder than breaking up, and the decision would be in my hands, not yours. How about it?"
Rebecca stared blankly at Frederick.
For a moment, Rebecca had an absurd feeling that this matchmaking banquet was a setup specifically for her.
But as soon as the thought emerged, Rebecca quickly dismissed it.
That was Frederick!
Frederick setting her up?
What a joke?
With just a look, he could have the socialites of Empire City falling at his feet, ready to come and go at his command.
If he didn't like those socialites, finding an ordinary girl with a clean background would be even easier.
And he wouldn't have to take on her hundred-million-dollar debt.
But he said to her, "Let's get married!"
Blinking, she looked out at the snowy scene again, making sure she wasn't dreaming.
Rebecca looked up at Frederick. "Frederick... are you serious?"
Marriage seemed surreal.
Marrying Frederick, even more so.
But as long as it could solve the Getty family's urgent problems, she'd jump into the fire pit if she had to.
"Stay at the Windsor Mansion tonight and keep my grandmother company. Tomorrow, I'll come to get you."
Without answering her question, Frederick left her with that and walked away.
The table was filled with an array of delicious food, the aroma and steam rising, but Rebecca still felt like she was dreaming.
It was an ordinary night.
But for Rebecca, it was destined to be a sleepless one.
Thinking about the bizarre events of the day.
Thinking about Frederick's cold, distant, yet unbelievable proposal.
Thinking even more about the already crumbling Getty family.
If only Henry were still here, if only the Getty family were still intact... how wonderful that would be!
Tears soaked her pillow, and Rebecca didn't even know when she fell asleep.
She was awakened by a knock on the door.
Morning light streamed through the window.
Opening the door, she found a set of new clothes on a cart.
A white shirt.
Jeans.
Ankle-length down jacket.
All in her size.
Although she didn't know what Frederick wanted her to do at the Windsor Mansion, since she'd agreed to marry him, she had to show some sincerity.
Rebecca quickly washed up, changed clothes, and went downstairs.
Frederick was already there.
They went to the dining room one after the other.
They ate breakfast in silence.
Rebecca put down her utensils, and a document was pushed in front of her.
A marriage agreement.
Obligations: Rebecca would fulfill all the duties of Mrs. Windsor and enjoy all the rights that came with it, and so on.
Cost: If Rebecca proposed a divorce, she would start repaying the hundred million dollars from the day she proposed, and they would officially separate and divorce when the debt was paid off.
Rebecca's eyes paused.
There was a bug in the agreement, she didn't know if she should mention it.
The agreement clearly stated that if she proposed a divorce, she would start repaying the hundred million dollars from the day she proposed, and they would officially divorce when the debt was paid off.
But what if he proposed the divorce?
Or if she never proposed a divorce?
Her heart pounded as she met Frederick's silent gaze, and Rebecca hesitated for a moment before signing her name.
As they left, a Maybach drove straight to the city center.
"Do you have your marriage documents?"
"Uh, no."
The car drove directly to Isabella's house. Rebecca retrieved the necessary documents, meeting Isabella's questioning look with equal confusion.
Leaving a "We'll talk later," Rebecca turned and got back into the car.
As the car drove off again, Rebecca's phone kept ringing.
Creditors called, saying the Getty family's debts had been paid off, wishing her well for the future.
The hospital called, saying the experts they'd hired were all in place and her mother's illness would soon be cured, assuring her to rest easy.
Even the court called, saying the procedures for the Getty family villa had been completed and she needed to sign some papers.
Looking back at Frederick, focused on driving, Rebecca felt a deep sense of gratitude.
A "Thank you, Frederick" was on the tip of her tongue when the car came to a smooth stop.
Looking up at their destination, Rebecca was stunned with her mouth half-open.