To avoid any complications, Aria Sterling's father, Sean Jennings, immediately took her to the residence of Landon Hawthorne, the Hawthorne family's Mr. Landon.
On the way, Sean Jennings warned Aria, "If anyone finds out about this, you are to say that you're my illegitimate daughter. Do you understand?"
Aria gazed out the car window, her eyes icy.
The moment she stepped into Azurewave Manor, Aria's brow furrowed.
'What a dense, sinister aura!'
A layer of mist hung around the mansion, dark clouds loomed overhead, and a faint chill seeped up from the ground.
The entire house was enveloped by a malevolent force.
'Anyone who can live here unscathed must be a formidable character!'
Sean Jennings and Aria Sterling were greeted by Uncle Carter, the butler of Azurewave Manor.
Uncle Carter got straight to the point. "The Hawthorne family's wishes are to simply register the marriage. There will be no reception, no ceremony, and no public announcement. After registering, Miss Sterling must live with Mr. Landon at all times."
"Not a problem." Sean Jennings had no objections whatsoever.
He even added, "From now on, Aria is a member of the Hawthorne family. It doesn't matter if she never returns to the Jennings family. Even if something were to happen to her at the Hawthorne residence, the Jennings family will absolutely not cause any trouble."
The implication was clear: even if Aria were to die at the Hawthorne estate, it would be of no concern.
Uncle Carter smiled, though he couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Jennings, why doesn't Miss Sterling share the Jennings surname?"
"My daughter took my wife's surname."
Uncle Carter glanced at Sean Jennings, noticing his shifty expression, and asked again, "Pardon me, but are you certain that Miss Sterling is indeed a daughter of the Jennings family?"
"Of course she is. Absolutely. You can rest assured, Uncle Carter." Sean Jennings nodded emphatically.
"We will need to perform a test to confirm."
'The Jennings family is considered one of Valerium's minor elite families. How could a father be so heartless and indifferent toward his own daughter?'
'If the Jennings family thought they could just find some random woman to pass off as their daughter to scam the bride price, they had another thing coming!'
Sean Jennings nodded. "No problem."
He wasn't afraid of the test.
Uncle Carter immediately had the family doctor come and collect DNA samples from both of them.
Aria was cooperative the entire time, appearing unnaturally docile.
At that moment, Sean Jennings asked about the issue he cared about most. "Uncle Carter, I'd like to ask about the bride price...?"
"The bride price offered by the Hawthorne family is eight hundred million." Uncle Carter paused, then added, "Of course, the family has also said that if she can bear a child for Mr. Landon, the Hawthornes will provide even more."
Upon hearing this, Sean Jennings's face lit up in a wide grin, and he nodded repeatedly. "That's wonderful, just wonderful."
'Eight hundred million. More than enough to solve the company's problems.'
Watching him, Uncle Carter felt it was obvious that Sean Jennings was simply selling his daughter.
He added, "Also, since this is a private marriage, if Miss Sterling gives birth to a child for Mr. Landon and later does not wish to remain with the Hawthorne family, she can divorce and leave. The Hawthornes will provide a sum of money to ensure Miss Sterling lives the rest of her life without worry, and she will retain visitation rights to the child."
"That won't be necessary." Sean Jennings quickly shook his head. "Since Aria is marrying into the Hawthorne family, she is a Hawthorne in life and will be a Hawthorne ghost in death. She won't get a divorce, much less leave."
Uncle Carter already felt that Sean Jennings only had eyes for money, but hearing him speak so callously about his own daughter's life and death filled him with disgust.
He stood and said, "Mr. Jennings, you should head back for now. Miss Sterling will stay here. Once the test results are back and everything checks out, Miss Sterling will register her marriage with Mr. Landon. At that time, the eight-hundred-million bride price will be delivered to the Jennings residence."
With that, a fully satisfied Sean Jennings departed.
Because it was a rush order, the test results came back quickly. Aria Sterling was indeed Sean Jennings's biological daughter.
Uncle Carter had the check sent to the Jennings family while simultaneously taking Aria's identification documents.
Before long, a marriage certificate was delivered into Aria's hands.
She hadn't met her husband, Landon Hawthorne, nor had she been to the Civil Affairs Bureau, yet here was the marriage certificate.
'The man in the photo on the certificate was handsome, though!'
Aria tossed it casually onto the table and picked up her phone to make a call. "Mr. Ross, about that injection you mentioned before... please send one over. I appreciate it."
Just as she hung up, a tall, imposing figure with a frigid aura suddenly stood beside her...
Lifting her gaze to get a clear look at the newcomer, before Aria could speak, the man questioned her in a cold voice, "Who are you?"
"Hello, husband. I'm your wife." Aria rose. "My name is Aria Sterling. Remember it."