novelraw Chapter 283 - 284: Visiting Home to Propose Marriage
Chapter 283 - 284: Visiting Home to Propose Marriage
Chapter 283: Chapter 284: Visiting Home to Propose Marriage
"Three years ago, when Eric Johnson had an accident and you fired him, I stepped forward even though people talked behind my back, saying I was opportunistic. The truth is, I just wanted to get your attention. At that time, I had already received an offer from a research institute in Mousden, but I stayed for you."
Sienna Johnson really didn’t know about all this.
"It seems like I’ve held you back," Sienna Johnson replied.
Going to a research institute abroad would undoubtedly offer better prospects than staying in a pharmaceutical factory in Sileria City.
"I chose it willingly!"
Outside, the traffic was busy, but inside the well-insulated business car, it was unusually quiet, with only Kenneth Brown’s slightly hoarse voice speaking slowly.
He didn’t need Sienna Johnson’s response; he just kept talking quietly on his own.
"...I fell in love with you at first sight. I’ve never met a woman as beautiful, strong, and intelligent as you... For three years, I tried to make you see me, and I was close to success when an accident happened. Then, one mistake led to another."
He had a look of remorse and regret, raising his head forcefully, a shimmer in his eyes as if from unshed tears glinting in the light.
"Sienna, you don’t know how much I regret it. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have gotten drunk that night... If I hadn’t gotten drunk, I wouldn’t have done those absurd things, and Sabrina Johnson wouldn’t have had anything to hold against me... By now, you would be my fiancée." Kenneth Brown’s eyes, as he looked at Sienna Johnson, were full of regret.
Sienna Johnson didn’t dare to tell him that even if he hadn’t gotten drunk that night, they wouldn’t have been able to get married. That’s because Adrian Desmond was around, and he wasn’t the type to give up until he achieved his goals. There’s no way he would have let Kenneth Brown get what he wanted.
"Kenneth..."
"I’m sorry about leaking the formula..." Kenneth Brown apologized. This matter had been weighing heavily on his heart, like a big George. Now that he had finally spoken about it, it was as if the heavy George on his chest had been lifted.
"Kenneth, I don’t blame you. Really." If there was anyone to blame, it would be Adrian Desmond.
"Goodbye, President Johnson!"
Kenneth Brown took a deep look at Sienna Johnson, as if he wanted to engrave her image in his heart forever. Sienna Johnson was also moved; looking at him, her heart filled with mixed emotions, but she didn’t know what to say.
"Wait!"
She took out a check from her bag, wrote it for 750 thousand dollars, and handed it to him. "Here, consider it... a bonus. Thank you for all your help over the years. The Eastminster Pharmaceutical Factory wouldn’t have grown to its current scale without you."
Kenneth Brown said in a low voice, "I don’t want it!"
Sienna Johnson forcefully pressed it into his hand, saying, "You deserve it!"
"What I want isn’t money. What I want is something you can’t give!" Kenneth Brown pushed Sienna Johnson’s hand away.
"..."
"Stop the car!"
Mr. Leonard slowly pulled the car over to the side of the road. Kenneth Brown opened the door, got out, and walked away without looking back.
Sienna Johnson watched Kenneth Brown’s retreating figure, still clutching the check. She continued to watch until his figure disappeared into the crowd. Then, she withdrew her hand and, looking at the check, tore it into pieces with a few quick motions...
Kenneth, I believe you’ll be alright.
「...」
Adrian Desmond knew about Sienna Johnson’s meeting with Kenneth Brown.
Hearing the report from the bodyguard responsible for secretly protecting Sienna Johnson, Adrian Desmond was inspecting a vacant lot. This undeveloped land, nestled by mountains and water, he had bought with plans to build an upscale club.
Although Sileria City was small, it was an important transportation hub. Doing business here would surely be lucrative.
Actually, the reason Adrian Desmond wanted to find something to do in Sileria City was because his daughter, Curly, had asked why he didn’t work. He couldn’t stand being seen as a lazy man by his daughter, which is why he decided to start a business in Sileria City.
"I didn’t expect her to have some genuine feelings for Kenneth Brown," Adrian Desmond said sourly.
Walter Klein reminded him, "Madam knows you framed Kenneth Brown."
"So what?" Adrian Desmond said arrogantly.
"What did Lucas Robertson find out?"
"He found out quite a bit!" Walter Klein said.
"How are Kiki and that guy from the flower shop doing?"
Lucas Robertson dared to mess with me; I won’t let him off easy!
"Kiki doesn’t want to leave the Johnson Family!"
"So, that guy still hasn’t won Kiki over?"
"Correct!"
"Useless!"
Walter Klein continued, "Sixth Master, I’ve inquired about the betrothal gifts in Sileria City. Betrothal gifts usually involve money. They follow the custom of ’three jin and three liang,’ which means ten-dollar banknotes should weigh three jin and three liang. Additionally, the groom’s side should buy the bride a car, a house, and gold and silver jewelry... Considering the cost of living in Sileria City, this whole set would amount to several hundred thousand dollars at least."
When Walter Klein mentioned betrothal gifts, he successfully diverted Adrian Desmond’s attention. Sienna Johnson had asked him for a betrothal gift, but there was no tradition of men giving betrothal gifts in Abyanabad, which had stumped him. It wasn’t that he was concerned about the money; he just didn’t know how this money should be given.
"What kind of house and car?" For someone of Adrian Desmond’s wealth, these were not difficult to arrange.
"Actually, with betrothal gifts, the more, the better. In Sileria City, it’s customary for gifts to be based on the groom’s financial capacity. Sixth Master, you can give more to show others how much you value Madam."
"Give more, huh?..." Adrian trailed off.
「...」
「At the Johnson Family residence,」
The Johnson Family residence was bustling today, filled with many unfamiliar faces who were clearly not locals.
When Sienna Johnson returned in her car, she also noticed that the area surrounding the Johnson residence seemed much quieter. It appeared someone was secretly maintaining order in the vicinity.
As Sienna Johnson’s car drove in, she saw many men in dark suits around the Johnson home. Their eyes were guarded. When they saw Sienna, they reported it on their intercoms, speaking in Amwan language, which Sienna was surprised she could understand.
"Miss Johnson has appeared," they said.
When Kiki saw Sienna Johnson return, she quickly went to greet her. Sienna Johnson looked at Kiki with surprise. "How did you get back here?"
"Sixth Master wanted to bring Curly over, so I came along."
"What’s Adrian up to?"
"Sixth Master came to propose marriage. The Princess Consort came too."
"Princess Consort?" Who? Sienna Johnson didn’t immediately make the connection.
"Adrian’s sister..."
"Oh, her..."
Sienna Johnson remembered Adrian mentioning he had a sister named Paige Desmond, who was the Princess Consort of Abyanabad. But didn’t Adrian say the Princess Consort couldn’t casually leave the Imperial Palace? What was going on?
"Sienna!" Adrian Desmond, dressed in a suit, his hair perfectly styled with mousse, looked handsome and charming. Compared to him, Sienna Johnson looked quite "scruffy."
She planned to use her grandparents’ resources to build a large pharmaceutical factory in Serenora. She had just visited the factory site and still had mud on her shoes.