Chapter 786
Naomi felt her entire body stiffen.
“They’ll talk about family, your future, and your duty as the sole Devereux heir. But make no mistake. What they truly want is power.”
No one interrupted him. Everyone in the room knew Cale wasn’t exaggerating.
It was simply the truth.
“Then why don’t you just continue leading the family?” Naomi asked.
This time, Lydia turned to look at her husband as well. Cale let out a slow breath. “Because that position was originally given to me under certain conditions.”
Nathan watched his son in silence.
“I was chosen as a substitute.” He exhaled again, longer this time. “And one of the reasons I was able to keep that position was because of the old will that tied me to you.”
Naomi immediately tensed. “That… marriage clause in the will?”
“Yes.”
“And then?”
“Then I got married.” The answer was simple, but everyone understood the weight behind it.
Cale’s gaze shifted toward Lydia. The moment his eyes landed on her, they softened instantly, filled with a tenderness and love he never bothered to hide. “And I’m not divorcing my wife because of Devereux family politics.”
Almost immediately, some of the tension in the room eased. Lydia turned her face away and cleared her throat softly, trying to hide her reaction.
Meanwhile, Chris threw his hands up dramatically. “Thank God. That’s the first normal thing that’s come out of your mouth today.”
“Shut up.”
“Nope. You dragged me into this without telling me a single thing beforehand,” Chris grumbled, clearly annoyed.
Naomi’s thoughts became even more tangled after hearing Cale’s explanation. Everything was happening too fast.
Far too fast.
“So you think the best solution is to marry me off?”
“To the right person.”
“And that right person is Chris?”
Cale nodded without hesitation. “He’s still a Miller. He comes from a strong family background. And most importantly…”
y…” Cale glanced at his younger brother. “I know he would never lay a finger on anything that belongs to you.”
Chris closed his eyes. “Thank you for that incredibly weird vote of confidence.”
1,3
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“I’m serious.’
“So am I.”
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Each person was lost in their own thoughts, especially Naomi.
She sat there with her head lowered, absently twisting her fingers together. One hand squeezed the other as anxiety quietly churned inside her.
Then, unexpectedly, Chris spoke. “Alright.”
The single word made everyone turn toward him. Nathan was the first to voice the question that seemed to be on everyone’s mind. “What exactly do you mean by ‘alright’?”
Chris set his coffee cup down on the table.
“I mean, I was already surprised enough when I got summoned here in the middle of a mountain of reports,” he said. “Then I walk in and suddenly discover I’ve been nominated as somebody’s potential husband.”
“Chris!” Riana scolded.
Even in a situation this serious, he still somehow found room for a joke. But Chris largely ignored his mother’s warning. “If this really can solve a major problem…” He gave a casual shrug. “I don’t mind.”
Naomi stared at him as if he had completely lost his mind. “Are you serious?”
“This wouldn’t be a real marriage.”
“It’s still a marriage!” Naomi snapped.
“A contract.”
“It’s still a marriage!”
Honestly, Naomi was beginning to think that Cale and Chris were equally infuriating. Was it because they were brothers?
“A marriage contract,” Chris corrected firmly.
Naomi nearly grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. Meanwhile, Chris looked far too relaxed for someone who had just agreed to what was arguably the craziest proposal of his life.
“Think of it as a business partnership.”
“I’m not a company!”
“I know.” Chris grinned.
“Then why are you agreeing to this?”
A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Because for the first time in my life, I get to see someone who’s even more stressed than I am.”
“Chris.”
“Alright, alright.” He chuckled softly. “Because I don’t mind helping family. You’re part of this family, Naomi. There’s nothing wrong with helping family.”
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Naomi immediately shook her head.
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“No.” This time her voice was quieter, but somehow even more resolute. “I don’t care about any of that inheritance.”
Her gaze swept across the room, lingering on each person. “I don’t care about what my father left behind.”
“Naomi,” Lydia murmured gently.
“I mean it.” Naomi’s eyes were beginning to redden. “And thank you, Chris, for actually considering that insane proposal that I have absolutely no intention of accepting.”
The room fell silent once again.
For the first time since the conversation had started, everyone could see the disappointment Naomi had likely been trying so hard to hide all this time. Her shoulders seemed smaller somehow. The frustration, exhaustion, and helplessness she had kept buried were finally showing through the cracks.
“All I want is an ordinary life.” Her voice wavered slightly. “Is that really so impossible?”
Thanks for comment in last part. I really happy read your comment. I will keep the best for this story. So … naomi and chris or naomi…. ???? 2