Chapter 2On New Year's Eve, My Cousins Bragged About Their New Partners, But Their 'Partners' Were Actually Me and My Husband

After receiving the money, I looked up at cousin Hazel: "Cousin, such a coincidence, your boyfriend is too busy to come too?"

She scoffed, rolling her eyes:

"Idiot! You think everyone is like you, working hard every day? He's busy with billion-dollar deals."

"Daphne, don't delay any longer. Staying single too long will mess with your mind. Look at you, turning into an old maid!"

I pointed to the Buccellati necklace around my neck:

"Who said I'm single? I have someone."

"Look, a necklace from my partner. It took six months to order, just got it, said I should wear it for fun."

"And guess what, he's busy too."

Cousin Hazel burst into loud laughter, mockingly:

"Daphne, you're lying through your teeth!"

"What takes half a year to order?"

"This looks like a $9.9 package from Bargain Bin!"

"Are you going to return it after wearing it?"

Everyone at the table laughed hysterically, leaning back in their seats.

Aunt Vera laughed the loudest, even hiccupping: "Haha, this silly girl has been single too long, spouting nonsense!"

My mom's face turned a bit pale. She nudged me discreetly, and I patted her hand under the table, signaling her to calm down.

My eldest uncle blew on his tea and kept glancing outside, seemingly waiting for someone.

After a while, someone opened the door.

An elderly couple and a chubby middle-aged man entered.

My uncle's eyes lit up, and he stood up: "Ah, Mr. Beckett, you're finally here! We've been waiting for you!"

He eagerly had the server add chairs.

The middle-aged man called "Mr. Beckett" had thinning hair slicked back with gel, making him look even greasier. His belt couldn't hold his large beer belly, and he emitted an unkempt odor.

Cousin Hazel covered her nose in feigned disinterest.

My uncle beckoned me over:

"Daphne, this is Mr. Beckett from our construction site. His family is well-off and drives a Mercedes."

"Though he's divorced and a bit older, his child is with the mother, so he has no burden."

"I think divorced men know how to treat women better!"

"You're not young anymore, quite a match."

I felt nauseated, slamming my chopsticks down: "Uncle, what do you mean by this? I already said I have someone, no need for introductions."

My dad's face darkened too: "Nolan, we're here to eat as family, what are you doing?"

The elderly couple scanned me from head to toe with critical eyes.

The old lady said with disdain: "Too skinny, won't be good for childbirth. I'm waiting for a grandchild."

I held back my disgust and messaged Ezra: "Come quickly, or your wife will be sold off."

Then I sent a location pin.

Uncle wasn't expecting my refusal, slamming the table, speaking earnestly: "Daphne, stop lying!"

"You're not getting any younger. You avoid coming back for New Years because you're single!"

"I know working is tough, but don't delay yourself!"

"Your parents spoil you, not worrying about your marriage. They've let you become an old maid."

"Today is New Year's Eve, a good day! Mr. Beckett is reliable, let's just settle the marriage!"

Then I shared my location.

Uncle was taken aback by my refusal. He slammed the table and said sternly, "Daphne, enough with the lies!"

"You're not getting any younger. You keep avoiding coming home for the holidays because you don't have a boyfriend!"

"I understand work is hard, but you can't put your personal life on hold forever."

"Your parents are clueless and just indulge you without worrying about your future. They've let you become a spinster."

"Today is New Year's Eve, a perfect day! And we know Mr. Beckett well, so let's just arrange this marriage!"

Instead of getting angry, I laughed, "Uncle, let me repeat: my partner and I are very happy together. I'm sorry, but your efforts are in vain."

Aunt snorted with laughter.

"Daphne, there's no need to lie to save face. Look at your shabby state. What kind of good partner could you possibly find?"

The designer clothes I had custom-made looked like gray rags to them.

As soon as Aunt finished speaking, Cousin burst out laughing, openly mocking:

"Oh dear, poor Daphne! Look at us, we all have rich and successful partners. She's just a poor single worker. Must be so miserable. It's New Year's, let her have her moment without calling her out."

Cousin lifted his chin, his eyes full of mockery.

Just as I was about to respond, my phone screen lit up.

The message was from "Gatekeeper of Love."

Cousin, with his sharp eyes, caught a glimpse and laughed, holding his stomach.

"Gatekeeper of Love, Daphne, is that your boyfriend?"

With that, all the relatives turned their attention to me, ready for a spectacle.

He raised his voice and said:

"Oh, so your partner is a security guard! No wonder you kept it from us."

"Next time, I'll ask my girlfriend if her company needs more security staff? Maybe get your partner a better salary!"

Uncle's expression was full of disdain: "Daphne, a security guard? Come on, break up and join Mr. Beckett, and live a harmonious life!"

The old couple took the opportunity to approach, pulling out a gold bracelet, trying to slip it onto my hand:

"You're getting older, forget about dowries and gifts. Take this big bracelet and give us a grandchild soon."

Uncle signaled to my cousin and his sister, and they each grabbed one of my arms:

"Daphne, dating a security guard is pointless. While you're still young, find someone wealthy."

"Take the Beckett family bracelet! We're just waiting for your wedding banquet!"

I shouted, "What are you doing!"

3.

I kicked Cousin in the stomach, and she let out an "ouch" and released my arm.

She lost her balance and fell into "Mr. Beckett's" arms, who took the opportunity to grope her.

Cousin screamed in anger.

The private room door was kicked open, and a man strode in.

This man wore gold-rimmed glasses and a black wool coat, his face slightly sweaty, clearly having rushed over.

His gaze swept the room, landing on me. I gave him a look.

He understood and strode over to "Mr. Beckett," landing a punch.

Surprisingly, the scholarly-looking man had an astonishingly strong punch.

The table of relatives was shocked.

"Mr. Beckett" screamed in pain: "Do you know who I am? How dare you hit me!"

Uncle was also alarmed: "Who are you? How can you hit people like this?"

"Mr. Beckett's" mom was furious, shouting at the stranger: "Why did you hit my son! Call the police! I'm calling the police! You won't get away!"

The man ignored them, standing by like a steadfast pine, hands clasped.

The door was still open, and the wind and snow blew in, bringing a chill.

A tall man in a suit walked in gracefully, much taller than the previous one.

In the wind and snow, his face was more handsome than any popular star, so stunning that it was hard to look away.

With broad shoulders and long legs, his perfectly tailored suit made him look tall and elegant, walking like he was on an international runway.

The man exuded a natural aura of authority.

Cousin gaped at him, her face full of admiration and infatuation.

Mr. Beckett quickly stood upright, bowing and trembling as he spoke, "Mr. Ezra... What brings you here? You..."

Ezra had a faint trace of anger on his face: "I heard noise outside, where did he touch?"

Mr. Beckett's face turned red, kneeling in terror, slapping himself: "Mr. Ezra, I was overcome with lust and groped."

Ezra kicked him over.

Mr. Beckett curled up on the ground, not daring to get up: "Mr. Ezra, well kicked, well kicked."

Cousin Hazel blushed, her eyes sparkling, hurriedly tidying her clothes.

She showed a shy expression, touching her hair: "Mr. Ezra, thank you for standing up for me, I'm so happy."

Ezra frowned at her:

"Who are you? Was it you he touched?"

"I'm here to find my wife."

Wife???