Chapter 5 There's a Bug, Not Sure If I Should Mention It!
Rebecca moved in a daze, floating on autopilot until she finally sank into her seat.
Frederick had arrived at the banquet hall earlier and gone straight to Elizabeth, never even making a formal appearance before the event ended.
Outside Windsor Mansion, the parking lot was a scene out of a luxury auto show, sleek engines rumbling, headlights cutting through the cold air as cars streamed out in elegant procession.
Rebecca hadn’t spotted Isabella’s car yet when the Windsor family butler hurried toward her.
“Ms. Getty, Madam Elizabeth would like to see you.”
Rebecca followed him back inside, but the moment she entered the dining room and saw the tall figure seated alone at the table, her heart jolted.
"Mr. Windsor..."
Her voice wavered, so soft she barely heard it herself. Keeping her composure with effort, she sat opposite him and asked, "Mrs. Windsor, she..."
"It was me who called you here."
Frederick didn’t waste time. “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!"
Remembering the real purpose of today, Rebecca straightened her back and forced herself to meet that unreadable gaze. "Let's make a deal!"
Frederick raised his brows slightly.
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!"
She tried to appear calm. But the blush rising to the tips of her ears betrayed her humiliation.
As if mixing emotions and interests was something shameful.
Frederick’s gaze drifted past her to the window. Heavy snow drifted down in slow, silent curls. He watched it for a long 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.
Her pulse skittered. She was about to break the silence when Frederick finally spoke, "Okay!"
Rebecca looked up suddenly.
“But,” Frederick added, a faint line forming between his brows, “there’s a problem.”
He leaned back slightly, studying her. “According to your proposal, you become my girlfriend, cooperating with everything I ask, 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 leave first. That she wasn’t that kind of person.
But the words felt thin and worthless. Even she knew he wouldn’t believe her.
Rebecca's mind went blank for a moment.
Frederick’s expression remained utterly neutral, save for a faint glint in his eyes.
Then he straightened and looked directly at her.
“I have a counterproposal.” His voice was low, almost calm. “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 dizzying moment, she genuinely wondered whether the entire matchmaking banquet had been orchestrated 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!"
She blinked hard, glanced at the snowfall outside the window, making sure she wasn’t hallucinating.
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 addressing her question, without a moment’s hesitation, he left her with that single instruction and walked away.
The table was set with steaming, exquisite dishes, but Rebecca felt as if she were floating through a dream.
It was an ordinary night.
But for Rebecca, it was destined to be a sleepless one.
She thought of the whirlwind of the day. Frederick’s cold voice saying let’s get married.
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 dampened her pillow. She couldn’t even remember when she finally drifted off.
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 crisp white shirt.
Soft denim jeans.
A long, ankle-length down jacket.
All perfectly 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.
