Chapter 150: Chapter 150: Let My Surname Crown Your Name
Rhys Hawthorne advanced with both strength and gentleness, like a powerful army overwhelming, making Victoria Monroe lose all her ability to judge.
Clearly, reason told her she mustn’t, shouldn’t, couldn’t.
Yet Rhys Hawthorne helped her again and again; not to mention the manpower, resources, and money spent, he saved her life several times.
Without him, this child couldn’t have been kept.
And he only had a problem that was hard for any man to admit, if she didn’t help him, which other woman would be willing to remain a widow for life? Who would always keep his secret?
Once the truth is exposed, the deity on the high altar would be pulled down from the clouds and be ridiculed endlessly.
Victoria Monroe knew better than anyone the terrifying power of gossip, especially attacking what a man cares about most; what should Rhys Hawthorne do?
His considerations were correct, her child needed a father, and he needed a child to conceal the truth.
After Victoria Monroe pondered seriously for a moment, she replied, "Rhys Hawthorne, I can agree with you, but we don’t need to register for a marriage. The child and I can support ourselves, and in the future, we won’t need the Hawthorne family’s wealth. When the child is older, we’ll find some reason to separate."
In this way, she solved his dilemma without taking advantage of the Hawthorne family and smoothly escaped Julian Fordham’s entanglement, and the child would also receive paternal love upon being born.
It was indeed a win-win situation.
Rhys Hawthorne didn’t expect that a chaotic game would revive because of last night’s inadvertent mistake.
At the moment Victoria Monroe agreed, she wouldn’t know how fast his heart was beating.
He felt like he was dreaming. Had the woman who haunted his midnight dreams really agreed to be his wife?
From now on, she would become Mrs. Hawthorne.
With my surname, adorn your name.
Just softly murmuring these three words was enough to make him go almost mad with joy.
Previously, he saw those fans who succeeded in chasing stars, who became tearful just because their idol shook hands or hugged them, and he couldn’t understand what kind of emotion that was.
How could anyone be willing to live and die for a stranger, sobbing, ecstatic, experiencing such large emotional swings?
But today, he empathized with that feeling.
For many years, he kept his feelings hidden in his heart, not daring to expose them, nor daring to approach her, even practicing countless times in front of a mirror the look he gave her each time.
Afraid that she would see through his love, he could only feign being profound and mysterious.
Only he himself knew that he had always been like a rat in a gutter, foolishly gazing up at his moonlight.
Today, at this moment, that moonlight indeed fell upon him.
Rhys Hawthorne was excited and thrilled, wanting to embrace her, kiss her openly, and express his love to her.
Yet he couldn’t and didn’t dare, even more cautious compared to before.
His progress bar had reached halfway, and he didn’t want to fail at the final moment.
Later, as the two faced each other day and night, the stone would eventually wear away by dripping water, in one year, two years, ten years.
He didn’t believe Victoria Monroe wouldn’t fall in love with him.
Rhys Hawthorne suppressed his surging emotions inside, daring neither arrogance nor boldness, leaving no trace on his exterior.
He even had to be more cautious than before, not letting Victoria Monroe discover his lying.
In Victoria Monroe’s eyes, she seemed to glimpse a fleeting hint of madness in Rhys Hawthorne’s eyes, a smile that appeared so quickly she thought she might have imagined it.
Understandably, he finally had resolved a difficult matter; being happy was normal.
Rhys Hawthorne’s low voice came, "Alright, I’ll listen to you."
Victoria Monroe: ???
Wasn’t he being too agreeable?
Fearing she might regret, Rhys Hawthorne immediately spoke, "Our family is big, and there are many relatives. I’ll find a time to formally introduce you to them."
Though knowing they were only having a fake marriage, neither in a romantic relationship, suddenly jumping to meet the family, and meeting the Hawthorne Family, that legendary clan.
Victoria Monroe quickly waved her hand, "Don’t, let’s talk later. I divorced only a month ago and then follow you home, won’t your family think I was involved with you during my marriage and had your child. Wouldn’t you become a homewrecker?"
Rhys Hawthorne’s low voice sounded in her ear, "Victoria, sometimes you don’t have to be so kind."
At this moment, she was considering not her reputation.
Has she ever thought about how if news of them being together spread, everyone would label her as unfaithful, climbing high?
Her first thought was, unexpectedly, his reputation.
Rhys Hawthorne had once asked himself, among the many women in the world, why does he only long for a married woman?
At this moment, he finally knew the reason. Besides the life-saving grace from childhood, seeing her dive repeatedly in cold weather for her dedication to her career,
It was more about her humble background, having once been drenched by rain, yet willing to hold an umbrella for stray cats.
She seemed carefree, unrestrained, yet loyal and devoted, maintaining distance from the opposite sex.
How could he not love her?
Some are pretty but lack her kindness, some are kind but lack her beauty.
Those who are both kind and beautiful lack her career ambition and dedication.
In short, in his eyes, she was the most special.
Whether soul or appearance, she was the one-in-a-million.
His love for her surpassed the common world, beyond what he himself could foresee.
Victoria Monroe blinked, not quite understanding Rhys Hawthorne’s mind.
"Rhys Hawthorne, choosing me, I’ve been married, perhaps it will bring you lots of trouble and unpleasant voices."
"It’s not important."
The important thing is, you are by my side.
"Victoria, so you agreed, right?"
"I seem... to have no reason to refuse."
Rhys Hawthorne’s eyes burned with intensity, "Victoria, with me, you will always have the power and freedom to choose. If you don’t want this matter today, I won’t force; just consider I never raised it."
"I promised what my grandmother said would count. In this life, I will take good care of both you and the child.
"So, you don’t need to have any psychological burden. I’m not trading kindness for repayment. I don’t want you to wrong yourself; tell me, what is your answer, okay?"
Originally, Victoria Monroe was hesitant, feeling this proposal was unrealistic and absurd.
But Rhys Hawthorne didn’t think so, he seriously proposed and seriously thought for her.
Victoria Monroe dared not underestimate his determination. After careful consideration, she nodded and consented, "If you don’t mind my reputation... I am willing."
She was embraced along with the quilt by the man. Maybe it was her illusion, Rhys Hawthorne’s voice seemed a bit hoarse, "Victoria, how could I mind you?"
He tightened the hand on her back inch by inch.
Finally, he could legitimately embrace his moonlight.
In the place Victoria Monroe couldn’t see, Rhys Hawthorne’s lips curved crazily upward, "Victoria, from now on don’t call me Rhys Hawthorne, or others might suspect us."
"Then what should I call you?"
He released her, a gentle look flashed in his eyes, "I’m third in the family."
Victoria Monroe cautiously said, "Third, Third Lord?"