C4 The Three Rules of Engagement Marrying into the Family!?

"Enough with the tears and wailing; it's unseemly!"

An aged, stern voice suddenly echoed from the second floor.

The matriarch of the Griffiths family, her back hunched and silver hair flowing, descended the staircase, leaning heavily on a dragon-headed cane. Her narrow eyes, brimming with icy sharpness, bore into Wood as if she wished to devour him whole.

The selection of a son-in-law was a significant event long in the planning by the Griffiths family, and Wood had disrupted it. The depth of her resentment was palpable.

"Young man, regardless of your identity or intentions, Tella is part of the Griffiths family, and our decision on her husband is final!"

The old lady's voice, raspy yet firm, left no room for doubt.

"That's right! Who do you think you are? Tella has chosen me as her husband; I am the Griffiths family's son-in-law!"

Zhao Liu, gaunt and pale, burst through the crowd, his eyes wide and fixated on Wood.

Previously intimidated by Wood's presence, he had remained silent. But now, bolstered by the old lady's backing and Emit's coaxing, he stepped forward, steeling himself for his future happiness.

"Scram!"

Wood glanced at Zhao Liu with a chilling gaze, and a wave of lethal intent surged forth, causing Zhao Liu to collapse, losing control of his bladder.

The Griffiths family's continuous challenges had exhausted Wood's patience. His only desire was to clear up the past misunderstanding with Tella.

"How dare you!"

The old lady's face darkened, her silver hair bristling with fury as she slammed her cane onto the ground with a resounding thud.

"Young man, are you intent on making an enemy of the Griffiths family? Leave now, and we'll overlook this incident, offering you five million dollars for your inconvenience."

The surrounding guests gasped at the sum. Five million dollars? The Griffiths family was indeed wealthy beyond measure.

"Five million? Heh..."

Wood remained unfazed. To the average person, five million might represent a lifetime of savings, but to Wood, whose wealth rivaled that of nations, it was insignificant. Besides, Tella's value was beyond any monetary measure.

"Ma'am, I hold you in high regard as a distinguished elder, and I'm willing to let bygones be bygones today. But let me be clear: if anyone dares to harm such a refined person in the future, I'll ensure they regret it deeply."

A chilling glint flashed in Wood's eyes, his gaze as piercing as stars, sending a wave of lethal intent that made the Griffiths family shudder to their core.

"Insolent!"

The matriarch of the Griffiths family's face turned a ghastly pale, her gnarled hands clutching her cane. Over the years, as the family's influence had grown, no one had dared to speak to her with such audacity.

"Wood... Wood..."

Tella's delicate frame shook at his words, her doe-like eyes misting over. A novel feeling stirred within her – for the first time since her father and grandfather's deaths, she felt genuinely cared for.

"Look, Larkin has arrived!"

"The King of Brialedo himself is here. Could he be here to join the suitor selection?"

A commotion suddenly erupted outside the villa.

"Why has he come?"

Wood turned to glance at Denis, who was just as perplexed, shaking his head in bewilderment.

"Quickly, everyone, let's go greet Mr. Cooper."

The Griffiths family matriarch paused, then her face lit up with delight as she ushered her family to welcome their esteemed guest.

Larkin's personal visit was a significant event for the Griffiths family, and it would be an incredible boon if he were indeed here for the suitor selection.

The tumult subsided with Larkin's arrival, leaving only Tella and her family in the once bustling hall.

Wood's heart twinged as he saw the tears on Tella's face. He reached out to wipe them away, but Hassie pulled Tella back sharply.

"What do you think you're doing? Trying to play the rogue?"

Hassie looked at Wood with disdain, her voice dripping with contempt. "Tella, it doesn't matter who he is. He has no place in your life!"

"Dressed in rags and daring to court my daughter? Look in the mirror and ask yourself if you're worthy!"

Her words were sharp and bitter.

Disgust was evident in her eyes.

"Grandma, I promise to be good from now on. Please don't be harsh on Dad, okay?"

Selena's childlike voice melted Wood's heart, yet it only twisted Hassie's face into an uglier scowl. With an icy glare, she spat out venomously, "Silence, you curse! If it weren't for you, our family wouldn't be in this mess."

"You're nothing but a burden, yet you dare to meddle in my affairs? Speak up again, and I'll lock you in the dark room without supper!"

Hearing the words 'dark room,' Selena's small frame shuddered visibly. Burying her head, she could only whimper quietly.

Wood's face darkened like a stormy sky, holding back his anger only for Tella's sake.

"Enough, Mom! Selena is still your granddaughter, and she's just a child. Can't you stop terrorizing her with the dark room?"

Tella gently soothed Selena's back, looking helplessly at Hassie. Because of her demanding job, she often entrusted Selena to Hassie's care, but Hassie, preoccupied with her mahjong games, would cruelly confine Selena to the dark room.

"What's the big deal about the room? She needs to learn discipline. And she's no granddaughter of mine, just a costly mistake. If you'd listened to me and gotten rid of her when I told you, you wouldn't be suffering now."

...

Hassie's relentless nagging made Wood's expression grow even more thunderous. Just as he was about to lose his temper, Tella, her face seething with anger, snapped, "That's enough! One more word, and you can forget about ever getting another dime from me."

"Fine... fine... I'll stop talking."

Chastened by Tella's threat, Hassie clammed up, redirecting her ire towards Wood. "What are you staring at? Pah! A toad lusting after swan meat."

Wood simply ignored Hassie, turning to Tella with a look of deep remorse. "Tella, I'm sorry. I had my reasons for leaving without a word."

"Now that I'm back, I'm committed to being the husband and father I should be. No one will bully you or our daughter ever again."

"Could you give me a chance to atone for my past wrongdoings?"

Wood's earnest plea made Hassie scoff with contempt, yet she held her tongue, not wanting to provoke Tella's ire.

"Mom, would you consider giving Dad another chance?" Eldon's eyes brimmed with hope as he gazed at Tella.

He yearned deeply for his mother's love!

"Wah... Mommy... I want Daddy, I want my brother..."

Selena chimed in, clutching Tella's sleeve tightly with her little hand.

"Alright, I'll give you a chance, but we're going to set three strict conditions!"

Tella, after a brief pause, finally gave a nod of assent.

Despite her resentment towards Wood for his abrupt departure and lack of responsibility, she recognized that the children were blameless. They deserved the love of both parents, and this arrangement would also help her sidestep the manipulations of the Griffiths family.

"Just lay out the conditions, and I'll agree to them—whether it's three, three hundred, or even three thousand," Wood said eagerly, anxious that Tella might change her mind.

"Firstly, we will only share the title of husband and wife, without the actual marital bond."

"Secondly..."

"Thirdly, you must agree to join the Griffiths family as my husband, taking on the role of a son-in-law within the family."