Chapter 2

Gasps echoed around the room.

Russell's face twisted through one expression after another. "Raymond, are you out of your mind? You're a war hero, the youngest major general in history. Sophie's just some girl from a ruined family—how could she possibly deserve you?"

Raymond's eyes turned cold. "Russell, watch your mouth. I'm the one who doesn't deserve Miss Alvarado."

[Oh my God! He's actually protecting Sophie!]

[Sophie, say yes! Marry him!]

[Russell's a cheating scumbag. Sophie, dump him for Raymond already!]

I stood frozen, dazed by everything.

Going from Russell dumping me to accepting his brother's proposal right away didn't feel right.

But apologizing to that fake Alice...

I stared at Raymond, suspicious. "Are you really proposing to me? You're not joking?"

Raymond's eyes burned with intensity. "I never joke. From now on, you'll be my everything. I'll love you, protect you, cherish you, and take care of you for the rest of my life."

Then he added, softer but serious, "I know showing up like this and asking for your lifelong trust with just a few words is reckless and unfair to you. So I'll prove my sincerity first."

Sincerity? How was I supposed to see that?

But as I frowned, he clapped his hands.

A young soldier stepped forward, saluted, and announced loudly, "Two chests of gold, silver, and jewels for Miss Alvarado, wishing you endless wealth and fortune."

Two soldiers carried in heavy chests and opened them. Golden light spilled out, brighter than Russell's spotlights.

Gasps filled the room. Even Russell looked dumbfounded.

Before I could react, the soldier shouted again, "Ten luxury cars for Miss Alvarado, wishing you a life free of worry.

"Fifty-five properties for Miss Alvarado, wishing you a stable and happy life.

"300 billion dollars in cash for Miss Alvarado, wishing you lasting health and peace."

Chest after chest of pearls, gems, and treasures poured in until the whole room was packed.

I swallowed hard—I couldn't even get a word out.

Russell's fists clenched as he snapped, "Raymond, are you insane? Even if you want to marry her, is she worth it? This is nearly all your fortune! Once you give it away, you'll never get it back—even the courts won't help you!"

Raymond finally looked at Russell, his gaze full of disdain. "I'm willing. None of this concerns you. Sophie deserves the best. I only worry that it's still not enough."

His voice wasn't loud, but the weight behind it crushed the entire livestream.

[Holy crap! Those sentences were fire!]

[Raymond has money, looks, power, and he actually talks like that? He's my dream man!]

[Compared to him, Russell is pathetic. Cheating, stingy, and fake. He only wanted Sophie when her family was rich. Now that they're broke, he runs back to Alice. Gross.]

Alice was nothing more than a third-rate actress Russell had been paying to promote. She had fans, but most were hired trolls.

This livestream was full of random viewers, and once they started talking, the paid comments barely showed up.

Watching the comments turn against him, Russell grew desperate and lashed out at Raymond.

"Raymond, if you want to marry Sophie, shouldn't you at least get Mom and Dad's approval?" he asked. "You think you can make a decision like this on your own, huh? How are you going to explain it to our parents?"

Raymond's brow furrowed slightly.

Just then, footsteps came from outside.

A soldier entered and reported, "Sir, your parents are here—along with Alice."

The young soldier had barely finished speaking when Jennifer and Clive walked in, followed by Alice.

But the small house was already packed to the brim—there wasn't even room for them to stand comfortably.

I stood quietly in the corner and let out a long sigh. All that gold, silver, and treasure piled up in front of me would probably be taken out of this house sooner or later.

After all, how could I ever have peace anywhere Alice was?