Chapter 130
"Three years ago, when the new house from Bard Property was about to be handed over, our whole family was thrilled," Arthur recalled, his expression darkening as he remembered the mix of joy and sorrow from that year. "We worked hard to save up $100,000 to move into the new house as soon as possible, just waiting for the renovations. At that moment, Linda’s father was in the late stages of kidney failure, and only a transplant could save him. Luckily, there was a suitable kidney available, costing around $60,000. The Russell family couldn’t afford that amount, and Linda’s father, Gibson Russell, was desperate for the surgery. They couldn’t wait, so they came up with the idea of having Linda marry Jaden right away, asking our family for the $60,000. Jaden was only 25 and not in a hurry to get married, but with Linda in trouble, he felt he had to help."
"Then Bard Property suddenly notified us that the owner had fled abroad with a huge sum of money, and no one knew when the house would actually be handed over. Our family thought that since we wouldn’t need that money now, we might as well use it for Jaden’s wedding. Little did we know that just after we transferred the money to Linda, the Russell family demanded another $40,000 for Linda’s brother’s wedding, insisting we increase the price by that amount or the marriage wouldn’t happen."
Even someone as calm and composed as Avery clenched her fists at this point, wishing she could teach the Russell family a lesson. "Jaden refused to accept this condition, and our family stayed silent," Arthur said through gritted teeth. "I don’t even know what to say about Linda. She stuck to Jaden and can’t be shaken off. At that time, neither the Russell family nor the Carter family was willing to budge. Linda panicked and knelt before the Carter family, crying, ’I truly love Jaden. Without him, I won’t be happy. Please, as long as you agree to my family’s demands, I promise to have children with Jaden, help him with farming, and save money to repay the $40,000 with interest. I won’t let you suffer a loss.’"
To prove her sincerity, she even wrote a $40,000 IOU, signing it with her thumbprint. Her pleas moved the Carter family. They quickly transferred the $40,000 to Linda. The Carter family wanted Jaden and Linda to register their marriage first, but the Russell family insisted they needed a grand wedding since she was their only precious daughter. Only then would they feel comfortable letting Linda register her marriage with Jaden. The Carter family agreed.
It was Jaden’s first time borrowing money for a wedding, held at a five-star hotel, and at the Russell family’s request, he hosted over two hundred relatives and acquaintances. A month later, the wedding took place. The Carter family didn’t expect that on the day of the wedding, with all the guests present and everything ready, Linda and the Russell family would be nowhere to be found. All calls went unanswered.
"That day, Alaric and I personally went to find the Russell family," Arthur said, his eyes filled with hatred. "But the Russell family had their doors and windows shut tight, and no one was around. We asked the neighbors, but they didn’t know where they had gone. It wasn’t until we were about to call the police that Jaden finally received a text from Linda. She said she had dated someone else and couldn’t marry Jaden anymore, and she had already left town. But she promised to repay us in the future."
The events that followed were something the Carter family wished to forget for the rest of their lives. They became the laughingstock of everyone. The only fortunate thing was that the elderly couple didn’t attend the wedding due to health issues and their unfamiliarity with phones, allowing the family to keep the news from them.
Later, the Carter family did manage to find the Russell family, hoping to get the money back, but the Russell family claimed that the money was given to Linda, and they had spent it all, urging the Carter family to go after her for the repayment. The Carter family even tried to sue, but since Linda was nowhere to be found, they couldn’t proceed with the case.
Arthur sighed, "Jaden was severely affected, locking himself in his room, refusing to eat or drink, ignoring everyone. It wasn’t until two days later, when Dad broke down the door, that he rushed Jaden, who was nearly dehydrated, to the hospital. After leaving the hospital, Jaden vowed he would earn back the $100,000 and not let our family suffer a loss. He returned to the countryside, working tirelessly every day, never coming back to Rosemont City until he heard our family had found you. Then he came back to ask about you and tidy up the house at Velento Court before heading back to the countryside."
He clenched his gloved fist, hitting the nearby tree trunk in frustration. "Now, just when our family finally started living well, Linda reappears, trying to take Jaden away. She’s really something else."