Chapter 204 Richard's Mom Pressures Jasmine into an Arranged Marriage
At the Xia household, relatives, including several aunts and uncles, organized a welcoming banquet after Richard's mother was released from prison. They claimed it was to give her a fresh start and cleanse her of the past.
"Wow, I didn't expect the Summers' daughter to be this beautiful," a relative commented, eyeing Jasmine. "No boyfriend yet, huh?"
Jasmine, socially anxious and uncomfortable with strangers, especially under such scrutiny, avoided meeting their eyes and remained silent.
"Hey Aunt Terri, what are you doing?" Richard frowned, standing protectively beside Jasmine.
"Oh, I'm just trying to find a suitable match for Jasmine," Aunt Terri replied with a smile. "She's beautiful, even though she's already a mother. Being an unwed mother is frowned upon in our community, but since your mom asked for my help, I'll make sure to find her someone decent."
Richard's frown deepened as he glanced at his mother, May, seated at the head of the table. "Mom, did you ask Aunt Terri to arrange a date for Jasmine?"
May, who appeared relatively well despite her time in prison, cracked a sunflower seed between her teeth and looked at Richard. "She's not getting any younger and already has a child. She needs to get married soon. Do you want to ruin your own reputation and struggle to find a wife?"
Richard's expression hardened as he spoke firmly. "Jasmine doesn't need to get married. I'll take care of her and Justin for the rest of our lives."
"What nonsense are you talking?" May was slightly irritated. "The people Aunt Terri knows are wealthy and influential. Stop making decisions for your sister; she wants this."
Jasmine kept her head down, remaining silent.
What did she truly want?
"Jasmine, I know a guy who runs a pig farm in our town. Don't underestimate pig farming; it's profitable. He's a single dad like you, a widower, and his child has a disability, but it's manageable," Aunt Terri added, continuing to munch on sunflower seeds.
Jasmine's face went pale, but she still didn't say a word.
"We'll arrange a meeting for you both tomorrow," declared Aunt Terri, taking matters into her own hands.
"No... I have work," Jasmine objected.
"Work? What kind of work? If he likes you tomorrow, you won't need to work for that measly salary anymore," Aunt Terri said disdainfully. "Let me tell you, marrying well is more important than anything for a woman."
"I can earn my own money. I don't need... to marry well. I can support myself. You're wrong," Jasmine snapped back, her voice trembling.
"Why would you talk like that? You say you can support yourself, but having an unmarried older woman in the family, burdened with a child, is something to be ashamed of back home. How will your brother find a wife?" May's tone was disapproving.
When Jasmine remained silent, May spoke again. "Don't go to work tomorrow. Go on that date instead, get married quickly. We need to find you a husband."
Taking a deep breath, Jasmine faced May. "You've never taken care of me for a single day. You have no right to tell me what to do."
The atmosphere suddenly became tense as relatives in the house turned their attention to Jasmine, and a flurry of opinions erupted. "See, once they grow up and return, they're just unruly wolves."
"And that's the truth. Straight away, she's talking back to her mother."
"Jasmine, it's not right for you to speak that way. Didn't your mom do everything for you? She served five years in prison, and who was that for? For you! You had a heart condition as a child, and if she hadn't made that tough decision to get you treatment, do you think you'd be alive today?" Aunt Tilly began to guilt-trip Jasmine.
"Jasmine, your life was bought with your mom's five years in prison. Saying things like that only hurts her," Aunt Tilly added, trying to emphasize the sacrifice Jasmine's mother had made for her.
Tears welled up in Jasmine's eyes as she looked away, feeling the weight of her mother's sacrifices and the guilt of her own choices.
"Mom, you just got out; rest up. Jasmine has to work tomorrow, I'll take her home," Richard intervened, his voice protective, ready to take Jasmine away from the tense situation.
"Richard!" May slammed her hands down on the table, standing abruptly. "Do you know what people are saying about you and Jasmine? It's scandalous, siblings raising a child together. Have you lost your mind?" May's tone was accusatory and frustrated.
Jasmine clenched her fists, feeling the pressure building inside her.
Anyone could slander her, but such words from her own mother cut deep.
"Don't go too far!" Even Richard was furious.
"Fine, just perfect. Everyone's grown tough wings now. I serve five years, and the world's turned upside down!" May erupted, expressing her frustration. "Richard, are you choosing your sister over your mother?"
Richard was exasperated.
"Jasmine, let me tell you, I'm your mother. I didn't raise you, but I saved your life. You don't have to be grateful, but you owe me, and you will pay me back!" May declared, staring at Jasmine with intensity. "Quit your job tomorrow. Stop messing with the Douglas family. You don't belong there."
May pounded the table, her frustration palpable. "What status do we have, going after the Douglases? Do you want to tear this family apart completely?!"
Jasmine's eyes reddened, but she remained silent, struggling to find her voice amidst the turmoil.
"The Douglas family, what status do they have that you could possibly attain? Six years ago, you had a child with someone nobody, and with your baggage, any of the Douglas heirs would take a second glance at you?" May continued, her words cutting deep.
May turned to Aunt Tilly, seeking validation for her stance. "Although our daughter comes with a child, she's never been married, and we won't accept less than the customary gifts."
Aunt Tilly nodded, smiling. "Oh, honey, don't you worry. I heard that if he likes her, the dowry will be an apartment over a thousand square feet, transferred directly to her name, and of course, the traditional three gifts of gold—it's a given."
May's eyes lit up momentarily at the prospect. "A house within the five belts of Silverlight City?"
"It may not hold as much value here, but these terms are quite favorable. Considering your family's situation, Jasmine, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better offer," Auntie Three chimed in confidently.
"Let's go, don’t listen to their nonsense," Richard said, taking Jasmine by the hand and leading her away from the heated confrontation.
"Where to?" May asked.
Neither Jasmine nor Richard responded.
"Did you hear what your aunt said? You won't find an offer like this anywhere," May insisted, trying to sway their decision.
"Enough." Richard frowned deeply.
"What's gotten into you? A house is at stake here, for your marriage," May persisted, unable to understand Richard's defiance.glared at Richard reproachfully. "She's been the sought after young lady at Wilson's family for over twenty years, living the best life—who gave her that? Me! She owes me. Shouldn't she settle with such a great match?"
"Great, huh? A pig farm, plus a son with intellectual disabilities, that Huang Bo guy, right?" Richard said with a grimace. "With such terrific terms, why don't you marry him? We don't want the house in exchange. Keep it for your retirement."
With that, Richard led Jasmine out, leaving May behind in tears and shouts of frustration.
"Richard! You're defying me!" May cried out, her voice filled with frustration. "Who was I doing this for? Who? I made her the top bachelorette for twenty-one years. Without me, she would've died from her congenital heart disease!"
Tears welled up in Jasmine's eyes as she silently wiped them away, feeling overwhelmed by the conflicting expectations and demands placed upon her.
She had no idea how to face these people.
The Wilson's Family claimed she owed them, and now May echoed the sentiment, asserting her perceived debts to them.
Jasmine couldn't help but wonder: amidst all the debts she supposedly owed, who owed her anything in return?
"Jasmine."
As they stepped outside, a black sedan pulled up, and Ethan emerged anxiously, calling out Jasmine's name.
For a fleeting moment, it felt as though she could see a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos and confusion.
The suffocating weight of expectation lifted slightly at the sight of Ethan, replaced by a sense of injustice and the realization that she deserved better.
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