Chapter 2

At the end of the meeting with the Cookes Family, Tilly was later sold to Blake Cooke, the first and the heir apparent of the X multinational corporation.

While the marriage alliance brought sadness to Tilly and her mother, it was a thing of joy to the Cookes and to the rest of the Dukes.

Although, Blake wasn't present and was said to be sick, the meeting was focused on him.

That day, the Dukes brothers went away with gladness in their hearts over their father's pronouncement.

Don Duke was at the door when Elsie pulled him very hard and he staggered on his feet.

“ What haven't I done for you? For years, I have tried to be a lovely and obedient daughter in law, yet you seem not to be satisfied. All you do is to pull me down!” Elsie yelp still holding ounto his arm.

However, Don Duke pushed her into the couch with his staff. Her words only simmered the anger in him.

“ The day you made my son disobey me called for war. Tilly should appear at my residence for the wedding ceremony by tomorrow.”

“ Failure to do so is akin to perpertual suffering and death. At least, you have this house with you. Use it well.” he stamped his staff on the floor and walked off.

Elsie fell on the floor and cried in deep agony. Tilly and Britt came and consoled their mother.

Tilly, who was moved with bitterness, vowed to have her revenge on them.

“ Once I get married and become powerful, the Dukes will have my revenge on them!”

---

It was 11:00a.m. the next day, at the church cathedral, but there was no groom in sight.

Different guests, families, priest and even the bridegroom were seated and awaiting the presence of the groom who had refused to show up at his wedding.

Tilly was indifferent about his absence. If he wished to come, it was fine, but if not...

On the other hand, Don Duke who sat the left side of Tilly was displeased with the turn of events. It was a huge dissappointment to him.

He bent his head towards her and said, “ Rejoice not, little kid. If the young man does not appear, what I will do is unimaginable. Pray, he comes.”

Meanwhile, two pews away from Tilly, two ladies gossiped about the lack of groom at the opulent wedding.

“ Why? I haven't seen such a thing since I was born. No groom in sight!”

“ Will the young lady marry herself? She looks too young. Was she forced to wed him?”

“ No lady will be forced to wed Blake Cooke. She offered herself willingly, so shouldn't be pitied.” blurted the first lady out of jealousy.

“ Don't say that. Not everyone can offer themselves for money.” rebuked the second lady.

While on this, the groom finally appeared with his best man at the door of the cathedral. The breathtaking aura that surrounded him made everyone subconsciously rise up in utmost awe.

His handsomness, elegance, was compared to none. Just for a minute, young ladies and some married women wished to be the bride waiting at the altar.

Don Duke's joy knew no bounds. A complacent smile crept on his wrinkled face. All his efforts and labor were not in vain.

“ As from this day, the Dukes will be recognized with the Cookes Family. What a day to witness!”

For some minutes, the couple stood at the altar as the priest laid his pronouncement upon them.

“ This day, I pronouce you, man and wife! You may kiss your bride!”

---

About 5p.m., in the evening, a convoy of cars drove Tilly and Blake down to the Cookes Estate.

The Estate was one of the most expensive estates and structures in the whole of S country. It was worth over billions of dollars.

Half of the houses in the Estate belonged to Blake as the first son of Cookes Family.

Soon enough, Tilly was welcomed warmly by the numerous workers in the mansion. The chief butler, Ms Anna, who was older in age assisted Tilly in moving the luggage into the mansion.

“ Here is your apartment, Ms Tilly. If you need anything, please let me know.” Ms Anna accentuated.

Tilly nodded her response as she entered into the room. Ms Anna looked back as if she is reminded of another word.

“ When you are done refreshing, come down and have your meal. It is served already.” she said and closed the door behind her.

After she had taken a shower and dressed up, Tilly walked down to the dining.

At the dining, the entire family of the Cookes were already seated and served by the maidservants.

Flynn Cooke, the fourth and last son of the family, was the first to see Tilly on the stairs and called on others.

" Here comes the beautiful bride from the Dukes!"

Tilly's cheeks crimsoned and her heart began to throb when all eyes fell on her. She had only taken a seat when she realized that it was next to Blake's.

“ Are you having the thoughts of changing the seats because of Blake? From what I know he does not bite, or does he?” Flynn Cooke bantered.

However, Blake Cooker was not interested in looking at Tilly. In fact, his eyes were steady on his phone as his fingertips moved everywhere on the screen.

Either he was aware that someone sat beside him or he feigned ignorance.

When Mrs Ashley Cooke couldn't endure the lingering silence at the dining, she decided to speak out by turning around to Tilly.

“ Tilly, can you please tell us a little more about yourself? It would be proper if you introduce yourself as Blake's wife into the family.” Mrs Ashley Cooke spoke to the hearing of everyone.

Tilly was unprepared for any questions and she fumbled with words for the next minute.

“ Uhmm... I'm Tilly Parsons. I attend the V college which is located at the centre of the city. I work and study at the same time.” she averted her gaze and continued with her meal.

Immediately Tilly was done, someone beside her chuckled with disdian. “ What a poor introduction! Ha ha.” It was Blake.

Mrs Ashley Cooke ignored him and looked back at Tilly. There was something about the young lady that fascinated her.

“ Permit me to ask, where do you work?” she pestered.

“ In a restaurant.” Tilly gulped down her juice and replied.

It was quite puzzling that a young lady who was from a wealthy home could stoop so low to work as a waitress.

However, Mrs Ashley Cooke was not the only person who thought about this; every other person at the dining did.

It was really interesting that Tilly worked, but bothersome it was not a honorable job.

“ Your father was quite wealthy. Parsons Duke had more than enough to cater for your studies. Be it undergraduate, postgraduate or PhD degrees!”

Tilly used to think way until the sudden and brief sickness that led to his death. It was a terrible experience.

During Parson Duke's years on earth, none of his brothers had ever showed up to support him either in cash or in kind.

But the moment he became rich and powerful, they appeared from nowhere.

“ Life happened. I...”

However, while she spoke, Blake dropped his cutleries in anger and stormed out of the house shocking everyone.