Chapter 6 Not Fit For Him!
Everyone turned to the owner of the voice, as she majestically strutted into the room.
It was Monica Graves, another daughter in law of the Graves family.
“Monica, what is the meaning of that statement?” Madam Graves uttered, her face pinched with anger and embarrassment, “You should watch what you say.”
Monica sashayed over to a seat opposite Aria and lowered herself into it, regally.
Coming into the room with her was a bespectacled, calm looking man, who eyed Aria with a cold gaze as he took his seat, his wife clinging to his arm.
This was Nathan Graves, half-brother to Lucian Graves.
When Lucian was just four years old, his parents had a bit of family issue, and the chairman had allowed himself to be swayed by a socialite, Miss Shay.
Nathan Graves was the product of their entanglement.
His existence was discovered when the Chairman had reunited with his family. Miss Shay brought Nathan to the Graves family mansion and dropped him in his father’s care. He was only two years old then and the chairman had been furious.
The Matriarch of the Graves family then, Laura Graves, had insisted he keep the child in the family because no Graves family member would be left neglected.
And besides, it was as a result of his carelessness.
Aria eyed Nathan as well, as she recalled whatever little information she knew of him.
The Graves family treated him well and he was often times seen with Lucian because they both worked at the Graves Capital Group.
Since Lucian is bedridden, Nathan has taken over the CEO position and duties, and to say the least, things had not been going very well with business.
Aria shook her head slightly, her keen gaze returning to the woman who sat beside him.
Monica was giving her a very disdainful smirk.
She flipped her long brown hair over her shoulder at Madam Graves question, and played with her cuticles, “But I am right,” she answered, pouting, “We know Lucian is bedridden but that does not mean we should taint his honor. I mean, a country bumpkin? Really? She’s beneath him!”
“Monica, that’s enough!” The Chairman said sharply, “Don’t let me tell you this again. She’s Lucian’s wife, your older sister in law. She has a higher rank than you in the family, so be respectful!”
Monica bristled like a porcupine, “But Chairman, I’m just saying the truth!” She cried out, pouting like a child, and casting hateful glances at Aria.
Aria could only laugh inwardly at Monica’s antics.
“If I were in my real form, she would not even dare look me in the face and say such to me,”
Monica Graves, formally Monica Hanks before she was married, was a daughter of the Hank family. Like the Beaumont family, they were lower in the social circle ladder in the city.
But given she was educated, had her masters overseas and also working in the Graves Group, Monica thought she was definitely higher than Aria in rank.
“She’s just an uneducated bumpkin,” she sniffed disdainfully as she eyed Aria once more, “I do not agree that she has an higher rank all because she’s married to Lucian.”
“Eii, that’s enough,” Nathan uttered, his voice as calm as water. He reached out to pat his wife’s hand, as he smiled at the Chairman and Madam, “You know Monica did not mean any harm by what she said.” He spread out his hand in a peaceful manner, “She was just worried about Lucian’s status in society. No offense, Miss Aria Beaumont, you are not in any manner near Lucian’s level. We do not want to insult him.”
“It’s Mrs Aria Graves to you, brother in law,” Aria said, her smile polite but her eyes sharp, “And given Lucian’s current condition, I don’t think he has that much options.”
“Why you!…” Nathan was offended immediately, his face red as he clenched his hand tightly.
“Isn’t this the country bumpkin who had spent her life in the country side? How dare she even look at me in the face?” He thought angrily and was about to say something more but was interrupted.
“That’s enough, Nathan!” Madam Graves uttered sharply, then sighed, “You know Aria is right.”
The Chairman cleared his throat and leaned forward, “You must have heard about Lucian’s condition from your parents, right?” He asked in a contrite voice, “We are sorry you had to find out this way. When we had the betrothal, this was not the manner we hoped it would happen.”
Aria looked at the downcast faces of her parent in laws. She recalled them from her first life.
Apart from the Chairman’s stint when he was younger that produced Nathan Graves, The Graves Empire was one of the most upright Empires in Crestmont.
The Vaughn Empire had been in good relations with them, and they often joked of Elara and Lucian coming together in marriage.
Mostly jokes, because the Graves family always brought up the reminder that Lucian was betrothed.
She had never heard Lucian speak of it though.
Aria sighed, “Who would have thought those playful remarks would eventually turn real, and in the strangest way possible.”
She nodded at the Chairman and the madam, accepting their apology.
“It’s okay, mother, father. I am willing to be Lucian’s wife if the Graves family is willing to accept me.” She replied.
The faces of the Chairman and Madam brightened at her statement, and they smiled warmly at her.
“Thank you.” Madam Graves said, reaching out to clasp Aria’s hand warmly in hers, “Thank you for helping us protect Lucian’s legacy.”
They did not know how long Lucian would be comatose and the doctors had even said there was no hope.
It would be such a shame if he died as an unmarried man, without any one to carry on his name.
They knew it was a huge sacrifice for a young girl like Aria to make and they were grateful for it.
Aria herself was very pleased with the arrangement.
“Imagine if Lucian had been whole, then I’d have to put up with his annoying self. Eugh!” She thought, cringing internally, “I’m sorry you’re comatose Lucian, but this is for the best.”
She was sorry for his parents as well. Lucian was the only legitimate heir to Graves Empire. If he never woke up, everything would be bestowed to Nathan.
And that would be a pain.
Nathan himself proved his unlikeability as he suddenly stood up, pointing viciously at Aria.
“Even so, we are not desperate to take just anybody! How can this country bumpkin ever represent Lucian in society?!”