Proposals should be romantic, occurring naturally when the relationship between both parties has reached a certain level, but this proposal from the Grand President was not romantic at all.

Isabella and the Grand President had barely met, and when she was with the General, she saw the Grand President a few times, someone who looked quite weak in her eyes.

There was no emotional foundation between the two, and a brief phone call wouldn’t connect their hearts.

The only connection between them was interest.

He didn’t play any romantic sentiment with Isabella; he knew very well that even if he pretended to genuinely like Isabella and wanted to pursue her, she wouldn’t believe it.

After all, she is Marlori’s Sapphire, a very smart woman; she wouldn’t think this is love, so his proposal strategy was special from the start.

He directly stated most of the situations he could speak about, like if they got married, Isabella would rise from a "Female Warlord" to become the "First Lady."

This would have more political significance for her future development, and once she becomes the "First Lady," people from the Federation would focus on her more and invest more resources in her.

One must admit the Grand President is indeed a very diligent person; with his meticulous observation and thinking, he found many factors Isabella couldn’t refuse. He even mentioned that even if they got married, they wouldn’t live together, as all he wanted was some money.

He provided various political conveniences for Isabella’s future development, and Isabella gave him money. It was just that simple.

It seems like only a political transaction, but the domestic environment of Mariluo doesn’t allow it to be just a transaction, so it has to be cloaked in the guise of marriage.

Initially, Isabella also found it absurd, but as the Grand President continuously explained his views, Isabella gradually started to be moved...

What she lacked now was autonomous power; the Federation, or rather, Lynch never saw her as someone with her own will, merely a puppet.

She had deeply felt the helplessness the Grand President was experiencing and understood that if she wished to change it, she must possess autonomous power; otherwise, she would forever be just a puppet.

Those gunmen outside indeed always protected her, but if necessary, those bullets would also find their way into her head.

To change that, maybe agreeing to the Grand President’s proposal was a very good option.

Once she becomes the "First Lady," her political standing here will rise, and Lynch wouldn’t be able to control her as tightly as he does now.

The Federation wouldn’t likely allow Lynch to treat the wife of a national leader in such a manner, and she could gain some freedom and autonomous power.

With space, she could accumulate strength and gradually achieve the goal of breaking free from Lynch’s control over her.

Even during her phone call with the Grand President, she felt that maybe becoming the "First Lady" was the best choice.

However, before making any decision, she had to inform Lynch and listen to his opinion.

She didn’t want the next second some object to pierce her head and then some insignificant little warlord claiming responsibility for the assassination.

The call was still connecting as she sent the message and then quietly listened. At this moment, she was more focused than ever, not missing any tiny sound coming from the receiver.

But unfortunately, she didn’t hear the heavier, or chaotic breathing she hoped for, only a deathly quiet stillness.

When Lynch heard those words, he didn’t find them amusing, just interesting that someone wanted to break free from his control, but Isabella hadn’t figured it out.

His control over her wasn’t tied to any kind of titles, but actual strength.

Whenever he wanted, he could make Isabella a corpse by the roadside; no one would be interested in a corpse or avenge it.

Take Isabella, for instance, Sanchez too, the General’s surviving children never showed any intention of avenging their father.

Not even talks were had.

This world is very realistic; only things of value motivate people to act.

Worthless deeds won’t prompt action from anyone.

After more than ten seconds, Lynch said, "Why not agree to him? Is it because you don’t like him?"

Isabella was stunned; her mind paused for a moment before she realized something, "You mean I can agree to him?"

"Certainly, this is your life choice; my thoughts can only serve as advice or reference and cannot be your life’s standard for choice."

"I respect your choices, and we’ve cooperated well during this time as well; maybe it’s time for you to go and experience the world yourself."

Lynch’s response left Isabella completely unclear of the situation; she didn’t believe Lynch would so easily let her go.

Yet, she couldn’t tell if Lynch had something waiting for her somewhere.

After some thought, her breathing got somewhat rapid, "Then...if I agree to him, what must I pay for it?"

"No cost whatsoever, Isabella, we’re friends."

"I won’t interfere in your life and future because we’ve slept together; your future is up to you."

"Of course, given our previously friendly cooperation, I hope you will not make any foolish moves after making your decision."

"Additionally, all previously signed documents and agreements will remain effective, that is my thought."

He didn’t use more aggressive phrases like "my demand," so it was easier to accept.

Isabella restrained a slight disturbance in her heart, pursed her lips, "I will seriously consider this proposal, thank you for the assistance you’ve provided."

"No need to thank, aren’t we friends?" Lynch’s laughing voice was warm, and at that moment, Isabella began to doubt if she had somehow misjudged Lynch.

Maybe he wasn’t trying to control her, just simply wanted to keep her safe.

Look, there indeed are many people around her, but no one was restraining her from what to and what not to do, only she herself believed she was being controlled.

In a daze, he snapped back to reality, "Thanks again for the advice, I’ll inform you first once I make a decision."

Then the call was hung up, and Isabella deeply let out a breath, but soon dismissed those impractical thoughts from her mind.

She’s the daughter of a warlord, familiar with much deceit and betrayal, coming from both outside and within, there are always those hurting others for various reasons.

She wouldn’t believe Lynch had no harm intended for her, surely there were other reasons causing it.

In the study room of Bupen, Lynch smirked and continued his work, completely indifferent to what Isabella would choose.

His core interests in Mariluo were not in who marries whom or whom he controlled but those agreements he signed with Isabella and Sanchez.

According to the agreements, the two would spend large sums to employ Darkstone Security for military outsourcing services, which wasn’t a small sum.

Every Moment’s changes and the General’s death caused massive wealth to completely vanish; the two couldn’t come up with the funds, but luckily a foundation called "Darkstone Fund" offered great help.

They borrowed money from here to pay for Darkstone Security’s outsourcing fees, and considering their identities and the dangers of their "work," the loan’s interest was slightly higher than normal.

To retrieve the funds quickly, a supplementary clause was added to all contracts; if Sanchez and Isabella were unable to pay, Darkstone Fund would use legal means to collect from their occupied areas.

Including licensed operations, certain degrees of business monopoly, utilization of ownerless assets, etc., during which, if necessary, Darkstone Fund would provide basic infrastructure for the cities within occupied areas.

Of course, the cost was also borne by Sanchez or Isabella, likewise borrowing money and paying interest.

You could say now the places the two occupied had little direct connection to them, Darkstone Security directly took over management there; they were merely titular warlords and territorial owners.

Thus, Lynch wasn’t worried about any other thoughts they might have; as long as they continued to live and wish to do so, they must abide by the agreements. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Lynch was a very trustworthy legal merchant, never engaging in activities violating local laws, and all interests were mutually signed through negotiation.

He disliked breach of contract, nor would ever tarnish its sanctity, naturally not wishing for others to do so either.

Regarding accusations labeling Lynch and Darkstone Security’s present behavior as invasion, it was an absurdly ridiculous slander; would any invader provide jobs to these poor who couldn’t afford food?

Indeed, Darkstone Fund was promoting the planting of economic crops in Mariluo, whose land was very fertile, needing only simple fertilization and management to provide crops with adequate nutrients.

This year, the entire globe was affected by extreme adverse weather leading to crop failures, so to assist Mariluo’s people in moving out of poverty and provide the Federation with ample food, Darkstone Fund proactively promoted crop cultivation.

Currently, several cities under Lynch’s control began planting crops and economic products required by the Federation.

No matter how others view these actions, the locals recognize the Federation, Lynch, and people bearing the Darkstone insignia appreciation.

They provided seeds for free and promised to purchase all produce, thus instilling hope for a stable life among many Mariluo people!

Who wouldn’t desire stability over tumult?