Married to the Billionaire by Chance

Chapter 3-4

At 8 p.m., Jovanny knocked on the door on time. He had changed into a white shirt and looked less distant.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure. Keep the shoes on. There's no need to change them out."

They sat down on the couch and looked at each other awkwardly.

Gracelyn couldn't stand the embarrassing atmosphere and spoke up, "Well. What do you want to talk about?"

Jovanny leaned back onto the couch and crossed his legs like a boss man. For a moment, Gracelyn thought she was in a business negotiation.

"Grandpa likes you. Let me introduce myself. I'm Jovanny Latimer, 30 years old. I don't have a house, but I have a car. For now, I plan to stay in the country and work here, but I haven't found a job. My parents are divorced and I have lived with my mom overseas since. She remarried overseas and I don't think she will return to the country anytime soon.

"I have a younger brother. He's with my dad after the divorce. But he doesn't live in Corley City currently. I came back mainly for Grandpa and will stay in Corley City for at least 10 years. Is there anything else you want to know about?"

Gracelyn paused for a while before asking, "What do you think about getting married to me? If you're doing it for Philip's sake, that's not necessary..."

"Grandpa isn't the sole reason. I don't view marriage as a must in my life, so I don't care whom I get married to. I just want Grandpa to be happy. And he's right. You don't have to care about my opinions. It's up to you."

Gracelyn was baffled by Jovanny's bluntness and didn't know what to say next.

"There's no rush. Take your time to think about it. It's fine with me whatever your answer is."

Gracelyn thought for a while and asked tentatively, "Do you have any savings?"

Jovanny arched his brow, his gaze turning dangerous. "Savings?

"Not much. But it's enough to cover our living expenses. Rest assured. I'll keep you fed."

His words made Gracelyn blush. She took a deep breath. "Don't get me wrong. I'm perfectly capable of supporting myself. OK. I guess I shall introduce myself too. My name is Gracelyn Beck and I'm 26. I haven't been in touch with my parents for over a decade, and I am an only child with no siblings.

"I'm an administrator at Maple Technology Company. My salary is about 4,000 dollars per month. And...I had one boyfriend before and the relationship lasted about 2 years. That's all."

"Maple Technology Company?" Jovanny repeated the name lowly and nodded. "What's your condition?"

Gracelyn pursed her lips and squared her jaw. Her strange look made Jovanny lean in and watch her closely.

"Ms. Beck, is there a problem?"

"About the betrothal gift... I want 200 thousand dollars.

"However, you can't ask Philip for the money. It has to come from you. If you agree on this condition, we can get married."

The condition made Jovanny lose all the good impressions he had of Gracelyn. His gaze was unreadable after he heard the additional request. He stared at her with a half-smile, wondering if she was putting on a show.

"Are you in desperate need of money?"

Gracelyn felt ashamed by the way he was staring at her. She clenched her fists. "Well, if you think 200 thousand dollars is too much, I can accept 150 thousand dollars, but nothing lower than that."

If she could get 150 thousand dollars from Jovanny and Patrick returned the 150 thousand dollars he owed, she could buy the house as soon as she got a loan of 100 thousand dollars from the bank.

"200 thousand dollars is acceptable. What about me? What can you give me?"

Jovanny leaned back into the couch and watched her with an unreadable look.

"I can give you this home. You can live here and I can add your name to the deed. In this case, you'll be a neighbor with your grandpa and we can take care of him easily."

Jovanny stood up and put his hands in his trousers' pockets, looking down at Gracelyn. "Deal. I'll give you 200 thousand dollars. But you don't have to add my name to the deed."

He tilted his head and looked at Gracelyn. "When are we going to the city hall?"

Gracelyn was taken aback. "So soon? Are you in a hurry?"

"We have decided to get married, and may as well go to city hall while I'm free these days."

Gracelyn thought for a while quietly. She didn't want to act coy since Jovanny had been straightforward. "OK. We can go to the city hall as soon as you transfer the money to me."

Jovanny sensed there was no need to talk anymore and merely nodded to show his agreement before walking out of Gracelyn's home.

The next day...

Jovanny texted Gracelyn to ask for her bank account. At that moment, she finally realized that she had made an important decision that would affect her life greatly.

In front of the reception desk of Gracelyn's company, Patrick was sitting on the couch of the lobby, waiting for her with a bouquet of roses. As soon as Gracelyn showed up, he approached her with the bouquet and called, "Grace."

Gracelyn meant to ignore him and go straight into the office. But Patrick blocked her way.

"Grace, come on. Enough is enough. Why do you have to add your name on the deed? It's going to be our house. Do you even want to get married in the first place?"

Patrick was raging and refused to let go of Gracelyn's hand. More and more people gathered around them because of the ruckus.

Gracelyn glared at Patrick and pushed him away forcefully. "Return my money to me. And please stop pestering me."

"Gracelyn, stop your temper tantrum! Do you think you're the queen? Sure, you're pretty. But that means nothing. Nobody will marry you when you act this way."

Patrick got emotional and threw the bouquet at Gracelyn. Gracelyn turned around angrily and scowled at him.

"But someone is marrying me. By the way, I'm going to get married this afternoon. Don't come here again. I don't want my husband to get the wrong idea."