Chapter 3 Quest To Win The Maiden's Hand

• The silence in the room was palpable when the lawyer mentioned her name for the second time. Lily's head was spinning and her hands trembled as she held her bag to her, as though it could give her some kind of comfort. She wondered if she was dreaming at that moment. Alexander turned to her in astonishment, even though he couldn't hide the shock on his face.
• “You must be joking,” Emilia said, rising.
• “I would like you to have a sit ma’am, this isn't all to it” he said and Alexander raised his brow. What more could it be?
• “There is a note attached to it, I'll read it now” he said and began to read.
• The letter sounded very much like Vincent, and Lily couldn't believe he had made her part of his scheme. He knew what he was doing all along; he had always called her daughter in law. It read:
• My dear family,
• I know you all are surprised by the turnout of my will, and I guess Lily is the most astonished of you all—I'm very sorry sweetheart for putting you in a tight corner. But the truth is, your late father and I started this company and though he couldn't live to see it, I really would love you to take a part in it.
• My assets will be in the hands of Lily and if any of my grandsons are able to get married to her, the company falls automatically in his hands. Now children this is the last I can do for you. If you marry Lily you get the company, but if at the end of a year none of you can get married to her, the other assets will remain in her possession, but the company will be taken from her to an expert business practitioner who will take charge of the company, and all managerial rights will be taken away from the Beaumont family.
• P.s you should have gotten married when I told you so.
• Alexander let out a scoff and ruffled his hair. Their grandfather was a great prankster and he had given them a special treat even in death.
• Lily would have burst into a round of laughter if it were under different circumstances. What was she supposed to do with such a situation? In other words the fate of the Beaumont family lay in her hands?
• Nobody said a word as they seemed to recover from the shock of the letter. Lily was the one to break the silence, she couldn't let the weight suffocate her.
• “Excuse me sir, but what if I don't want to get married to any of the brothers?” She asked and they all turned to her, different expressions on their faces but it was Emilia who spoke up.
• “You can't do that, the management rights will be taken away from us” Emilia snapped and Lily flinched, surprised at her tone.
• “Don't sound that way sister, it isn't her fault, she must be as shocked as we are” Eric said and Alexander scoffed.
• “I can't believe you've already started sweet talking her” his voice was low and mocking.
• “What do you mean, I've always been friends with her, you're the one always dragging her around like a slave” Eric shot at him.
• “Now boys, I believe your grandfather did this with your interest at heart” The lawyer stepped in before an argument could start.
• “As if,” Emilia muttered. “ Well it's good it's Lily, brothers, she isn't exactly a stranger” Emily said but it wasn't a compliment at all. Lily could feel her sarcasm even from the far end of the room.
• “I'll be waiting for a wedding invitation then” The lawyer said and walked out of the sitting room. Lily wanted mostly to follow him out. She didn't want to be left with the Beaumont trio, in fact she didn't want to be seen anywhere near them as of that day.
• Alexander, who had been standing near, turned to her. His expressionless face was back to normal.
• “Come, I said I would drop you off” he said and she heaved out a sigh of relief, thankful to him.
• “Not so fast Alex, you can't just sweep her away,” Eric said, coming to stand beside her. He took her hand and smiled at her.
• “Can we have a quick chat over there?” he asked, she looked at him perplexed, not sure what to say.
• Alexander looked irritated, he scoffed and took her other hand.
• “She is my secretary and I can do whatever I want with her,” he said coldly. His eyes shooting bullets.
• Lily swallowed hard and Emilia watched the scene in amusement, she would have an absolute thrill watching the drama unfold.
• “She's no longer just your secretary now, she's the most important part of this family and you can't have her all to yourself” Eric said pulling her to him, Alexander pulled her back. Lily felt dizzy with all the shaking that was going on.
• In highschool she'd dream of boys fighting over her heart, but this wasn't what she expected. In Fact this was sheer horror. She wished to be with her father and Vincent at that point.
• “Let go of me!”she yelled when she felt a bone in her finger snap. They let her go, surprised at her outburst, They had never seen her like that.
• I loved you so much grandfather, how could you do this to me?
• “Mr Beaumont” she called
• “Yes” they both answered and eyed each other. Lily hissed in frustration, it was absolute madness.
• “Mr Eric” she called and he answered her, pleased. Alexander shot her a shocked look.
• “I'll see you tomorrow, how about that, I'm a bit tired today” she said and he smiled.
• “Just call me Eric dear, and I'll be here when you need me” he said.
• “Mr Beaumont, let's go now” she said and almost ran out. Not ready to spare another moment with the two men looming over her. Lily breathed in relief when she was out of the house, the fresh air a welcomed distraction.
• Alexander came behind her and walked past her without saying a word. She was grateful for this. She wasn't in the mood to answer any questions.
• The drive back home was a long one, she noticed how Alexander occasionally looked at her and then back at the road. It kept occuring and she felt uncomfortable.
• “Can I help you with something sir?” She asked and he shook his head.
• “Why…do you keep looking at me?” She said, quite uncertain.
• “I'm just wondering…if I can really get married to you” he said and she choked on her own saliva. She coughed for a while before answering him.
• “You're the last person I thought would think of that” she said and he nodded.
• “I can't exactly let go of the managerial right, not after everything I worked for…”
• He said then turned to her.
• “...and I can't let Eric get married to you, that's an appalling thought” he said and looked back at the road.
• For some reason, Lily felt her rate increasing and she didn't understand why.
• “So that brings me to this question, Lily Anderson, will you marry me?”