Chapter 29 The Child Bride
Chapter 29 The Child Bride
“What?” Both Brandon and Yvette exchanged a stunned look, their eyes wide in disbelief.
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Brandon was the first to recover, his voice steady as he spoke, “Yvie, go take a shower. I’ll meet him.”
Yvette wasn’t one to get involved in others‘ personal matters, especially in such a delicate situation. Without a second thought, she simply nodded and said, “All right”
Once the door closed behind her, Brandon descended the stairs and settled onto the couch. He casually picked up the coffee pot and began making coffee, his movements radiating a quiet elegance.
The butler remained standing to the side, waiting for instructions. Upon hearing Brandon’s calm command, “Let him in,” he responded with a simple, “Yes, sir.”
Brandon picked up the teacup, savoring a delicate sip, when a middle–aged man entered. The man was of average height, dressed in dull, dark–colored clothes, with one pant leg noticeably longer than the other. He moved slowly, using a wooden cane to support his weight, each step a struggle as he hobbled into the room.
His face was narrow, his cheeks sunken, and a scruffy beard–half black, half white–covered his chin
The moment Brandon laid eyes on him, his hand trembled violently, causing the rim of the teacup to clink against his teeth.
He had expected someone different. During the brief wait, he had imagined Roseanne’s ex–husband as a successful man and that they had divorced because he had become disabled. He had considered the possibility that this man might be here to provoke him, to gloat over their divorce and make a play for Roseanne.
But instead, he was met with an unkempt, middle–aged man, far from the image he had envisioned–grubby, worn, and painfully unattractive.
Though Brandon held no affection for Roseanne, despising her greed and deceit, he still understood one thing clearly.
How could someone like him possibly be her ex–husband?
He set his cup down and leaned back in his seat, his posture relaxed but composed “So, you’re the one claiming to be Roseanne’s ex–husband?”
Brandon casually crossed one leg over the other, hands resting on his knee, and fixed the man with a cold, assessing stare. His expression remained stern, not betraying any emotion as he sized up the individual before him.
The man, Kurt Dickens, bent slightly at the waist, clearly uneasy, his eyes averted. His voice held a tremor of timidity. “Yes, my name is Kurt Dickens. I was once married to Roseanne… who is also known as Sevina Yates.”
Brandon’s expression flickered for a moment. “Sevina Yates?”
“Yes,” Kurt responded, his voice hesitant. “Before she left Xatbridge, she went by Sevina.” He lifted his eyes just briefly, but as soon as their gazes met, he quickly looked down again, avoiding direct contact.
Brandon’s brows knitted tightly as he studied Kurt. “You’re claiming to be her ex–husband just like that? Where’s your proof?”
Kurt’s body swayed unsteadily, leaning heavily on his cane for support.
Brandon exchanged a silent glance with the butler, who immediately signaled the housekeeper to bring over a chair.
Kurt sat down, the tension in his posture casing just slightly.
Brandon’s voice was cool and deliberate. “If you can’t provide any evidence today, I’ll have you escorted to the police station for spreading false rumors.”
The thought of Roseanne’s involvement with someone like this left a bitter taste in his mouth–if it were true, it would be a stain on his reputation he couldn’t afford.
“I have proof,” Kurt declared, pulling out a crumpled, worn piece of paper from his pocket.
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Chapter 29 The Child Bride
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A sour, unpleasant smell wafted from the paper, and Brandon couldn’t hide his disgust. “Leave it on the table,” he
ommanded.
Kurt placed the paper down, his voice low as he explained. “This is a servitude agreement. Over a decade ago, Steve sold hus daughter to me to be my child bride.”
“Child bride?” Brandon’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Steve is Roseanne’s adoptive father?”
In this day and age, it’s shocking that such a concept still exists, Roseanne is the child bride of someone like him!
Kurt lowered his head, regret heavy in his voice. “If I’d known she wasn’t Steve’s daughter, I never would’ve signed.”
Brandon frowned as he examined the servitude agreement on the table.
Three thousand? They sold their daughter to an old man for a mere three thousand, making her his child bride?
Noticing Brandon’s darkened expression, Kurt quickly added, “I only took Sevina in out of pity. I wanted to raise her and, as her godfather, eventually give her away in marriage.”
Tears streamed down Kurt’s face as he spoke, his voice trembling with emotion. “I helped raise her, but to my shock, she crippled my leg with a kitchen knife just to return to the Sylvester family unhindered She’s lucky to marry someone like you. I’m not asking for much, just enough to treat my leg.”
Leaning heavily on his crutch, Kurt rose from the chair and collapsed to his knees with a thud. “Mr. Graham, since you’re Sevina’s husband, I’ll leave this servitude agreement with you. All I want is money to heal my leg.”
Brandon, sensing the man’s distress, gave him the benefit of the doubt. “All right, I’ll give you five hundred thousand.”
Groveling on the floor, Kurt continued sobbing, yet his eyes flashed with a glint. “Mr. Graham, because of my leg. I’ve never been able to find a wife. My life is ruined. You and Sevina are husband and wife. What you’ve given me, you can also take back from her. I just need a million.”
Brandon’s eyes narrowed. “If what you’re saying is true, I’ll give you the money.”
“Everything I’ve said is true,” Kurt replied.
Brandon nodded curtly. “Got it. You can leave now,”
Sensing Brandon’s growing impatience, Kurt wasted no time and quickly made his exit.
After tidying up. Yvonne descended the stairs, eager to understand the full story. As she listened, her brow furrowed with sympathy. “I can’t believe she was once sold off as a child bride to someone like that. He raised her. How could she cripple him just to fulfill her selfish desires?”
Brandon gently brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, his voice calm and reassuring. “I’ll have someone look into it. If it’s true, it’s not a big deal to give him some money. I’ll get it back from Roseanne when the time comes.
Yvonne nodded thoughtfully. “He is pitiful. I’ll contribute a million. Let’s give him two million,” she suggested.
Brandon chuckled, shaking his head. “Yvie, you’re just too soft–hearted.”
Yvonne raised an eyebrow. “Jeffrey has never lost a case. Our chances of winning against him are slim. But if this man could testify in court and confirm that Roseanne deceived in marriage, she won’t be able to claim the shares.”
Seeing Brandon lost in thought, Yvonne let out a cold huff, her voice tinged with bitterness. “What? Can’t bear to hurt Roscanne
Brandon pulled her close. “What are you talking about? We need to think long–term and gatheri
r more evidence.”
Yvonne’s lips curved into a slight smirk. “I know a private investigator. Let me handle this.”
Without hesitation, Brandon nodded. “All right.”
“Rosie, Zachary’s left home and hasn’t come back. Mom’s taken Aury to the neighboring city, and they won’t be back for a while. I’m tied up too, so we need you to handle this. He’s in the accelerated class at Yolham First High School, and the
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Chapter 29 The Child Bride
homeroom teacher’s name is Brian, Burton explained over the phone.
Just as Roseanne was about to protest, Burton abruptly ended the call.
“Finally, it’s settled,” Burton said with a sense of relief.
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Albert looked at him, his expression laced with concern. “Mr. Burton, do you think it’s really the best idea to have Ms. Roseanne handle this?”
Burton countered. “What do you think is the best way to build a closer relationship with someone?”
Albert paused for a moment, then a smile tugged at his lips. “I see now, Mr. Burton”
As Burton signed documents, he continued, “Rosie is set on leaving Without something to anchor her. I’m afraid our relationship won’t improve. That kid may come off as brash, but he respects strength. As for Rosie–she might seem distant, but she’s fiercely protective, Ray, on the other hand, doesn’t stir up trouble unless it’s really warranted. We usually step in to smooth things over, aiming for peace. But Rosie…. she has her own way of doing things”
Albert smiled, “Mr. Burton, your insight into people is truly remarkable.”
But I have no idea what my daughter truly wants, what she likes, or what she despises. He let out a quiet, self–deprecating laugh.
“Take a bodyguard with you and go with her. Ray can handle things on his own, but Rosie.. not a chance. If anyone disrespects her or lays a hand on her, deal with them immediately,” he ordered.
Albert blinked, speechless. Wasn’t the plan to smooth things over?
“Understood, Mr. Burion,” Albert replied.
Roseanne had no intention of going, choosing instead to carry on with her own affairs.
Her phone vibrated.
It was a message from Ace: Black Rose went to Yolham First High School.
Roseanne turned off her phone, a small, knowing smile curling at the corners of her lips. The silver needle she had coated with slow–acting, poison was set to take effect in five days. Black Rose, confident in her timing and seemingly flawless plan, was under the impression that nothing could go wrong. Clearly, she hadn’t done her homework on Roseanne’s background.
As soon as Burton had asked her to help Raymond handle the mess, Black Rose had rushed to Yolham First High School. It seemed that the woman had been busy these past few days.
There were three days left. It was time to start worrying
Killing someone was easy, making it look like an accident, however, was a different challenge. Nearly a month had passed, yet White Fox still hadn’t discovered who had placed the order. The only plausible explanation was that the person behind the hit had offered a price well over five hundred million.
With such a high price on the line, Hell Blood should have treated this mission with the utmost seriousness. Yet, they had only sent Black Rose, who hadn’t begun acting until the last five days
Roseanne couldn’t understand the reasoning behind it. After a few moments of contemplation, she picked up his keys and left for Yolham First High School.
