Chapter 365: Wedding Arrangements

Sierra hesitated, the implication of her unspoken thought clear. Ronald found this amusing. He’d treated her like a princess, while sending Maggie on less savory errands, hoping to secure Sierra a good match befitting her status as a wealthy family heiress and his daughter. Unexpectedly, she brazenly proposed this disgraceful idea, then blamed him!

"Dad—" Sierra began, gathering her courage, but Ronald abruptly stood, upending the fruit tray before him. Tea and fruit crashed to the floor. Startled, Sierra rose, looking at Ronald uncertainly.

"If you're eager to contribute to the family," Ronald declared firmly, "I'll speak to the Zimmers. You'll marry their second son. The wedding is next month."

"What?" Sierra exclaimed, incredulous.

Olivia, equally shocked, felt faint. "Ronald, Sierra is your daughter! The Zimmers' second son is mentally challenged, unattractive, and… he has peculiar tastes… How could you arrange this?" Olivia wept. "What sins have I committed? How did my children end up like this?"

Sierra exploded. "Marry that oddball? I refuse!"

Olivia's words sparked a memory. Rumors circulated that the Zimmers' second son was mentally challenged due to a birth defect, suffering from severe mental issues. Despite his odd appearance, the influential Zimmers indulged him, fostering unusual hobbies. Whispers spoke of a previous marriage ending in his wife's death; he lacked understanding in intimate matters, yet acted recklessly. Marrying into the Zimmers would be disastrous!

Recalling Maggie’s words, Sierra felt the sting of disposability. She was insignificant to the Camerons. Tears welled, and she laughed bitterly. "Dad, you want to marry me off to that fool? Do you want me dead? You treat that outsider, Maggie, so well, but treat your own daughter like this!"

Her voice grew hoarse, laced with despair. Ronald chuckled coldly, refusing further argument. "Whether you agree or not, you will marry him!"

Olivia intervened. "Next month is too soon. Let's postpone it until after New Year's. It's too hasty; we won't have enough time to prepare," she suggested gently, secretly determined to prevent the marriage. She could only wait and strategize.

Ronald saw through her. "Don't complicate things, or we'll have more problems."

Sierra erupted, near hysterical. "I refuse! Maggie marries someone like Nathael, and I marry into the Zimmers?!" Ronald scoffed. "It doesn't matter what you want. You're grounded. You cannot leave the house!"

Ronald had considered finding Sierra a husband; this seemed the only solution to improve the Camerons' prospects. He'd considered other families, but Sierra's lack of beauty and the Camerons' declining status made them hesitant. Resources were limited. He hadn't initially considered the Zimmers, but the circumstances pushed him to act quickly. He intended to let her husband's family handle her.

"Someone, take her upstairs! She's not allowed to leave!" Ronald commanded, just as the phone rang.

A 2:00 AM call was unexpected. A servant answered, returning with a troubled expression. "Sir…"

"What's going on?" Ronald asked, his brow furrowed.

"The Zimmers have declined the proposal… saying…" The phone rang again. The servant answered, returning distressed. "The Stevensons also refuse."

Master Cameron spoke, his voice heavy. "What's happening? Several families were interested!" The servant stammered, "The Zimmers… they said Ms. Sierra… wasn't fit for their family. They questioned the bride price…"

The servant downplayed the Zimmers' harsh words: "How dare she sleep with her teacher! With her reputation, we wouldn't accept her, even with money!"

Ronald understood the servant's reticence, but discerned their true sentiments.

Noah stated gravely, "Bad news. Sierra and Ivan's affair is public."

Sierra's head spun. "How could the Burtons change their minds? They accepted the money! How could they stoop so low!" She frantically checked online.

[End of Chapter 170]