Every girl yearned for love, and Laina Hampe was no exception.

However, her marriage was not up to her.

Today, as soon as Laina entered the house, she heard Jaqueline Hampe, her elder sister, crying heart-wrenchingly, "I was engaged with Olesen Lindstrom! The eldest grandson of the Lindstroms. Why does my fiancé suddenly become Christian Lindstrom? Why?

"It is known to all that Mr. Christian is a cripple. He's old. How could he marry a young woman and ruin her life? Mom, I'm only twenty-two years old. I would rather die than marry that old cripple! If you force me again, I'll kill myself!"

Jaqueline's tone was so resolute that she didn't seem to put on an act.

Etta Hampe, feeling sorry for her daughter, hugged Jaqueline in her arms. She said in a protective manner, "Jackie is my only daughter! I won't watch her suffer.

"Anyway, the Lindstrom family only said that they wanted to be related to the Hampe family through marriage, but they didn't specify who it was. Can't we just let Laina go instead?"

Konrad Hampe, the head of the family, shook his head without hesitation. "No, absolutely not! Laina is just eighteen years old this year, and she is still too young to get married."

"You can't bear to let your adopted daughter suffer. Aren't you afraid that your own daughter will be a widow with a cripple husband? Indeed, Laina is only eighteen years old, but we have been bringing her up for ten years, and she should repay our upbringing, shouldn't she?

"The Lindstrom family is also a wealthy family, which some people want to marry into but are not qualified yet! It would be better for Laina to decide on her marriage. What if she is eager to become a rich wife?"

Laina, who was standing at the door, smiled wryly and walked inside with the acceptance notice from Dawning University, which she had just received.

"Mom, Dad, I'm back."

As soon as Laina walked in, she felt the gazes of everyone in the room. She moved her lips. Just as she was about to say something, Jaqueline cried even louder.

"Laina, you're finally back! I'm in big trouble this time!"

Laina could guess what Jaqueline was going to complain about, so she refused directly, "I don't want to marry for you..."

It was not easy for her to be admitted to a foreign university with her own ability. Why should she give up the opportunity to study abroad for the sake of Jaqueline?

It was true that the Hampe family had raised her for ten years, but for ten years she had lived without enough to eat or warm clothes to wear!​

From time to time, Laina would be scolded and beaten. Every day, she would have endless housework to do. Her sister and adoptive mother had always treated her as a servant!

It was her adopted father who protected her. Otherwise, she would have been driven out of the Hampe family.

Jaqueline's expression darkened for an instant. She had never treated Laina as a human being, and she had even taken it for granted that she should marry in her place. However, Jacqueline had never expected to be refused!​

She scolded with a livid face, "Laina, you are just a dog raised by the Hampe family. You have no right to refuse. You only care about yourself when your family is in trouble. You even don't know how to repay our kindness? I have never seen such a selfish person like you!"

"Jaqueline! How can you talk to Laina like this? She is also my daughter. The Lindstrom family wants to marry you. Why do you force Laina to marry in your place?" Konrad scolded Jaqueline angrily.

Jaqueline retorted, "As you said, Laina is also your daughter, and she is also a member of the Hampe family. Then why can't she marry into the Lindstorm family?"

"When you need me to sacrifice myself, you have admitted that I am the second daughter of the Hampe family. Don't you usually mock that I am only worthy of being a servant for the rest of my life?" Laina smiled bitterly.

Even though she has been a Stepford daughter for years, she would not sacrifice her whole life's happiness to fulfill others' wishes!

Seeing that Laina dared to talk back, Etta instantly lost her temper. She took two steps forward and raised her hand to slap Laina's face.

"How dare you!"

A red and swollen palm print immediately appeared on Laina's face. Laina bit her lower lip hard and looked at the woman in front of her in disbelief.

"Enough!" When Konrad saw that his wife still wanted to slap Laina, he immediately stood up to stop Etta.

"Enough?" Etta gnashed her teeth and retorted, "Konrad, are you partial to the bastard? Don't you care about your own daughter's happiness?"

"Etta, don't go too far!" Konrad was so angry that his blood pressure rose, and he could not stand steadily for a few times.

"I am not going too far. Isn't she a bastard?"

"You..."

Before Konrad could finish his words, his legs gave way, and he almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Laina came forward to support him.

In the past ten years, only Konrad treated her well without reservation. He did regard her as his own daughter.

No matter what Laina wanted to do, Konrad would unconditionally support her and secretly bring her good food.

In this family, only Konrad regarded her as a family. How could she bear to make things difficult for him?

If her compromise could quell the anger of the family, Laina would sacrifice herself once...

She would take it as paying back for Konrad's upbringing!

Laina took a deep breath and said with a bitter smile, "Stop arguing. I'll marry him."

The next morning, the Lindstrom family sent a driver to pick Laina up.

The Lindstrom family did not announce the marriage to the public, let alone the wedding. The Hampe family passed the buck to Laina happily, and she would get married in Jaqueline's place.

Only Konrad stood at the door to see her off.

She had no time for grief. The luxury car took her to Songbird Mansion, the residence of Mr. Christian, the third master of the Lindstrom family.

​It was in a lakeside villa estate halfway up the mountain, with its back to Claud Mountain. Not far away was a large lake.

After Laina got out of the car and raised her head, she felt shocked at the sight of the luxurious villa in front of her.

The servants were divided into two rows and bowed to her neatly. "Welcome home, Madam."

Laina nodded nervously. Snatching up her bag, she went into the drawing room of the villa. Every piece of furniture in it was extremely fine, but the colors were chiefly black and white. There was no sense of celebration at all.

Suddenly, a middle-aged man in a black suit walked toward Laina.

She thought that it was Mr. Christian, the third young master of the Lindstrom family, so she quickly greeted him respectfully. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Christian."

A smiley-faced man was always welcome. Anyway, it was not disagreeable to show kindness first.

"Hello, Madam, I'm the bulter here. You can call me Martino." The middle-aged man looked firm and powerful. He smiled politely and said, "Mr. Christian is waiting for you. I'll show you the way now."

Laina, who had mistaken him, smiled awkwardly and quickly followed him.

In the backyard of the villa, the air was mixed with the fragrance of flowers. The sound of birds could be faintly heard. In the clear lake, fish were popping out of the water and bubbling.

A man sat quietly in the wheelchair.

Laina approached the man and quietly observed him, only to find that he was focused on painting with a brush.

Although Mr. Christian ranked high in family seniority, he was not very old. He was born when Mr. Lindstrom was old. Mr. Christian was an illegitimate child, whose mother was a mistress of Mr. Lindstrom.

​Five years ago, Mr. Lindstrom made a special transfer of twenty per cent of the shares in his name to Mr. Christian. However, Mr Christian had kept a low profile and had been living in seclusion at the lakeside villa.​

"Mr. Christian, I have brought Madam here," Martino reported respectfully.

Christian sneered, threw the brush casually, turned the wheelchair around, and glanced at the nervous woman.

The moment their eyes met, Laina was shocked.