Who Cares About Him When I'm Married to the Richest Man?-Chapter 119: The Dalton and Sommers Families’ Marriage Alliance

Chapter 119: Chapter 119: The Dalton and Sommers Families’ Marriage Alliance

Elara hurriedly asked, "What’s wrong with you? Didn’t you just start dating again recently?"

Zara smiled bitterly and said, "No need for dates, my marriage has been permanently sorted out."

Elara sensed something was off, and Zara’s voice seemed tinged with drunkenness.

She quickly said, "Where are you now? I’ll come find you." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"At that usual club we go to," Zara said, sounding hopeless. "Hurry up, Esther’s almost here, today you both have to drink with me until we’re wasted!"

Elara thought, not wasted again, she still hadn’t recovered from last night’s hangover.

Besides, Esther’s drinking tolerance might allow her to have a few drinks with him, but Elara’s own were barely enough for starters.

Yet despite this, she didn’t hesitate and agreed without hesitation.

Zara really seemed off, and she was a bit worried.

Taking the afternoon off, Elara took a cab to the club and saw Zara in a private room belting out, "My life is so miserable..."

Esther sat beside him, munching on sunflower seeds, watching like a monkey.

Seeing Elara come in, Esther grinned and quickly pulled her over, handing her a handful of cream-coated sunflower seeds, "You finally made it. I’ve been laughing myself to death."

Zara continued howling, determined to finish the song. Seeing this, Elara didn’t intervene but asked Esther, "What’s going on?"

With Zara’s desperate call earlier, she thought it was something serious, but seeing Esther’s reaction, it seemed less so.

Esther giggled, "Didn’t his mom force him to go on a date with Haylie Sommers from the Sommers Family? They ended up falling out because the Sommers Family looks down on the Dalton Family’s meager assets. But in a twist, Haylie got into trouble yesterday, and now the Sommers Family approached Zara’s parents, planning to have Haylie marry Zara."

Elara was stunned, she had already learned from Rosalind yesterday that Haylie was in trouble, especially since Rosalind came to her today, hoping to bring her to the Sommers Family to apologize.

But she hadn’t connected Zara to this situation, how did it suddenly happen that... Haylie’s going to marry Zara?

"That’s just... too absurd? Would his parents agree?" Elara found it hard to believe.

Esther shrugged, saying, "Of course they’d agree. If Haylie hadn’t gotten into trouble, the Dalton Family’s limited assets couldn’t possibly afford to associate with the Sommers Family. If Haylie were doing well, she’d definitely marry into a wealthy family in the future. The Dalton Family taking on Haylie, a hot potato, gives face to the Sommers Family and allows them to thrive in Northgarde, making this a win-win."

She had a clear view of the situation, even believing Zara caught a break, despite Haylie’s video circulating among high society, this marriage does no harm to Zara.

Zara finished his song, sighed, and sat down, handing a bottle to Elara, clinking it with hers, discontentedly saying, "Elara, don’t listen to her nonsense, I feel so wronged. People will laugh at the green hat she’ll give me when I go out."

Esther beside him scoffed, "Cut it out, why not admit it, you basically want a formal marriage without real responsibility, why care how many she gives you? To me, you’re a perfect match—one needs to marry up after being disgraced, the other prefers men but needs to marry down, isn’t it just right?"

Elara was convinced as well. Indeed, for someone like Zara, marrying a proper girl is unfair to her.

It was better to find someone like Haylie, meeting his parents’ requirements without really living as a married couple.

Zara saw his friends change sides and glared, "Hey, I’m saying, can’t you show some loyalty? I’m being forced to marry a woman with so many stains."

Elara and Esther shook their heads simultaneously, "No."

His intention to find an unsuspecting girl for a formal marriage was something they couldn’t get over.

Esther sharply said, "Zara, face it, your family knows you like men yet still tries everything to marry you off to wealthy daughters without telling them, it’s really ugly. Haylie is your best choice; at least this way we’re not wronging an innocent girl, right?"

Zara was left emotional by her words, sighed deeply, and slumped on the nearby sofa, weakly saying, "I understand what you mean. Of course, it’s not right for me to marry this way, but I really don’t want to marry Haylie. Her scandal is secondary; mainly, she’s too malicious. Just think about what she did to Elara."

Elara patted his shoulder, reassuring him, "I understand, but I don’t think it’s needed to worry. She’s her, you’re you; even if you marry, it should still be your life separately. You wouldn’t help her bully me, would you?"

Zara looked at her unhappily, "What are you talking about, am I that kind of person?"

"See?" Elara smiled, "You marry, each gets what they need, just like me with..."

She initially wanted to say me with Zion Fitzwilliam, but recalling last night’s heart-fluttering moment made her inexplicably guilty, swallowing back the words, and changed her words to, "Each gets what they need, isn’t that ideal? Besides, if you really can’t stand it, you can divorce in a couple of years. I imagine Haylie just wants to use this marriage to get through a rough patch, and once it’s quiet, she might also want to divorce you."

Zara bit on his bottle, troubled, "But my parents want me to definitely have a child."

As soon as he said that, Elara and Esther fell silent.

Everything else is negotiable, but having a child... no way.

Moreover, privately speaking, Elara also hoped Zara wouldn’t be so deeply entangled with Haylie.

Esther suddenly looked curiously at Zara and asked, "Say, you like men, can you get it up with a woman?"

Zara’s expression showed three parts disdain, four parts arrogance, and five parts intensity, "Do you underestimate your brother?"

Esther slapped her thigh, "Then you’re bisexual, bro, you don’t need things to be just men!"

She spoke unintentionally, but Elara listened attentively, her heart slightly stirred.

Bisexual, can also like the opposite sex? Then is Zion Fitzwilliam simply gay or bisexual?

Zara waved dismissively, explaining, "I’m gay, not bisexual. I have no interest in women, but men elicit basic physiological responses, so I can have children; it’s just that touching women makes me feel disgusted."

"What a beast." Esther’s expression was hard to describe, "Lucky we became friends first, otherwise, I’d give you a couple of hefty punches if I met you."

To not like women, feel they’re disgusting, yet need them to have a child.

This is just wanting it all.

Zara lowered his eyes, unusually refrained from bantering with Esther, "Actually, sometimes, I also really hate living like this."

But what could he do? In the Dalton Family, in his generation, he was the only heir, but he was gay. His parents had no choice but to accept his coming out, with the only condition that he had to get married and leave an heir.

According to his own ideas, he could just find an ordinary girl in need of money, have a child, and then give her a sum of money. Or he could have a girl do IVF surrogacy, which was better than marriage anyway.

But his parents were unwilling to give up the benefits that a marriage alliance could bring to the family. He was just a rich heir with no real skills, unable to oppose his family.

Esther Carter and Elara also knew his predicament, and for a moment, they both fell silent.

After a while, Zara Dalton said, "Actually, I don’t really have the right to refuse this marriage. No matter how Haylie Sommers is, she is still the daughter of the Sommers Family. What is the status of the Sommers Family, and what is the status of the Dalton Family? If she is willing to marry over, even if she’s not what she used to be, my parents are desperate for it. They even set the wedding date last night."

He had asked Elara and Esther to come over, just to vent a bit. Additionally, he wanted to tell Elara in advance so she wouldn’t overthink things.

Elara was silent for a while and then said, "In this world, when you gain something, you lose something else. At least by marrying Haylie Sommers, everything is laid out on the table from the start, without the need to pretend to be deeply in love."

Zara nodded, "I’ve already made up my mind: after I get married, I’ll focus on sowing seeds. As soon as Haylie Sommers is pregnant, I’ll leave the country, out of sight, out of mind."

Esther was surprised, "You’re going abroad?"

Zara smiled bitterly, "Yes, go abroad, find a university, and get a master’s degree casually. In a few years, I’ll have to take over the family business anyway. I want to enjoy myself a bit before then."

Everyone has their own fate. His fate was sealed the moment he was born.

Because of Haylie Sommers, this gathering of the three was not as relaxed as before. By the end, Elara even felt a bit uncomfortable.

Zara and Esther felt the same. It was just that none of them wanted to show it, so they forced smiles.

Elara returned home, and as soon as she changed her shoes, she heard Zion Fitzwilliam’s voice coming from the guest room, low and deep. It took her a while to realize he was tutoring Joanne Carter.

She walked over, looked at the big and small figures sitting together in the guest room, holding a water cup, wanting to smile but couldn’t.

She felt that this scene was very heartwarming, but this warm life did not belong to her. Just like Zara, appearing happy on the surface, but only each of them knew the true situation underneath.

Zion Fitzwilliam looked up and saw her, and said to Joanne Carter, "I’ve taught you everything for now, do the rest yourself, and I’ll check it once you’re done."

Joanne Carter playfully winked at him: Seeing Aunt Hale is back, you’re all restless, go on, go on, I know, look at you all eager like.

Zion had no way with this kid. She behaved more behaved in front of Elara but seemed to have found Zion’s weak spot, acting mischievously all the time.

He closed the door as he walked out and asked Elara, "Your expression seems off. Did something bother you?"

Elara was startled, surprised by his sensitivity, as she had intentionally adjusted her mood before coming back, yet he still noticed.

"Is it that obvious on my face?" Elara said helplessly.

Zion smiled without saying anything.

She didn’t understand that when one’s heart and mind were full of another person, any tiny difference could be perceived.

Moreover, she really wasn’t the type to hide things.

Elara then told him about Zara’s situation, feeling a bit embarrassed, "Actually, it’s not that I’m unnecessarily worried, but as a friend, I feel Zara... deserves better. But in reality, we’re powerless."

Zion raised an eyebrow, "Haylie Sommers is marrying Zara?"

He knew something had happened to Haylie Sommers. That night, when Cecilia Quincy followed Mason Jacobs to the neighborhood, his people noticed it. Rosalind Jacobs and Haylie Sommers were busy with their own affairs, not knowing he was the one behind it.

However, the things that happened afterward had nothing to do with him, so he didn’t intervene.

The only thing he did was give a push to that video, those who dare covet him should pay some price.

Unexpectedly, there were chain reactions afterward.

Elara nodded, "Yes, it seems to be settled. Zara’s parents are desperate to expand their business, and they won’t miss such a great opportunity."

Zion pondered for a moment, "You mentioned Zara wanting to find an innocent girl for a sham marriage. Such behavior is indeed not classy, but his situation is difficult. I wonder if he has any interest in doing overseas asset valuation?"

Elara was taken aback, "Him? Asset valuation?"

Zion nodded, "I’ve talked to your friend a few times before. He studied finance in college, forced by his family, and it’s not to his liking. I guess he’s not interested in taking over the family business. When we chatted, he seemed to have some interest in asset valuation. You could ask him, and if he’s inclined, I could give him some help."

Elara hesitated, concerned, "Let’s forget about it. Even if he likes it, his family wouldn’t give up on this marriage alliance to support him going abroad. The Dalton Family is keen to connect with the Sommers Family, to secure more and better projects. They won’t let him go at this critical moment."

Zion smiled, always patient and understanding with her, and suggested, "Ask him first, and then decide. At least you’ve done your part for your good friend."

Thinking about it, Elara felt it made sense, so she called Zara.

On the other end of the line, Zara was stunned after hearing her words, "Mr. Fitzwilliam said he could help me?"

Elara quickly said, "He just mentioned he could introduce you to some connections in asset valuation, but he can’t do much more than that, and if you want to go abroad, you have to get past your parents first."

She was worried Zara might have unrealistic expectations, so she explained clearly, "Zion is just a salesperson with more connections, but not someone who can do whatever he wishes, so it still depends on you."

Unexpectedly, Zara agreed without hesitation, "No problem! Please tell Mr. Fitzwilliam, I agree, as long as he’s willing to help me, I’ll agree to anything!"

This foolish friend of hers really thought Mr. Fitzwilliam was just offering some connections. If that were the case, Mr. Fitzwilliam wouldn’t have sent her to ask.

Since Mr. Fitzwilliam had said this, it meant that not only could he help arrange the overseas work, but he could also sort out the mess at home, allowing him to escape completely.

Ah, what kind of luck did he have to make friends with Elara?

No, it should be what kind of luck Elara had to marry such a big shot! Even as her friend, he benefitted immensely from it!