Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 29

Mrs. Vasquez Sr. looked at her earnestly. "You saved my life, so you're my savior. I would never trick you. My grandson is a good man in every way, just a bit cold and quiet. Oh, and he served in the military for nearly ten years."

An image immediately formed in Stephanie's mind: a reserved, slightly effeminate man with a bodybuilder's physique.

Actually... if she hadn't already made plans with Cecilia, she might have considered the old woman's grandson. Who knew, she might have even gained a new best friend out of the deal.

Just then, Cecilia called.

"I'm so sorry, but my cousin turned down the fake marriage proposal! He called me ridiculous, saying I'm treating marriage like some kind of game. I can try to find someone else for you, but you need to get the certificate so soon... tomorrow might be impossible. Can you wait a few more days? You haven't found a buyer for the company yet, anyway, right?"

Stephanie was stunned. "Even with the payment?"

The signal on the mountain was poor, and the call suddenly dropped.

Stephanie stared at her phone, which now showed no service, feeling completely helpless.

Mrs. Vasquez Sr. pressed her advantage. "My grandson is a busy man, he's hardly ever home. But that's a good thing for a man, right? It'll give you some peace and quiet.

Dear, why don't you give it a try? After a year, if you're not satisfied, you can just return him... oh, I mean, get a divorce. We can sign an agreement beforehand. We promise we won't ask for a single thing from you!"

Stephanie was speechless. This old woman was really going to great lengths to find a wife for her grandson in a marriage of convenience.

But the terms she offered seemed to hit all of Stephanie's requirements perfectly.

First, it was a marriage of convenience, so she wouldn't have to worry about sharing a bed with a complete stranger. After all, he might be even more averse to intimacy with a woman than she was with him.

Second, they would divorce after a year. By then, the share transfer for Meridian Consortium should be complete, allowing her to make a clean break.

The group walked down the mountain together. At the base, a man who looked like a butler was already waiting by a car.

"Ma'am, the marriage certificate is ready." With that, the butler handed something to Mrs. Vasquez Sr.

The old woman held the fresh, new certificate and slapped her thigh with joy. "Excellent! I've finally managed to marry off that useless grandson of mine!"

Stephanie was in a daze.

What kind of family was this? How could a grandmother and grandson have such a bizarre relationship? She felt like she had fallen into a huge trap. Was it too late to escape?

Mrs. Vasquez Sr. clearly had no intention of giving Stephanie a chance to back out. "I'll hold on to the marriage certificate for you both. You can get it from me when you need it."

With that, Mrs. Vasquez Sr. took off the jade bracelet from her wrist and slipped it onto Stephanie's. "This bracelet is a family heirloom. Dear, you must take good care of it!"