Who Cares About Him When I'm Married to the Richest Man?-Chapter 168: Giving Bank Cards

In the car, Elara was eating a sandwich and curiously asked, "What surprise did Grandma prepare for me?"

As their relationship changed, she now called Grandma Fitzwilliam "Grandma."

It wasn’t that she particularly coveted things from others, but after the last experience with the Jade Bracelet worth over 200,000, she worried that Grandma Fitzwilliam might give her another gift that was too much for her to handle.

If she could know in advance, she could mentally prepare herself.

Hearing the term "Grandma," Zion Fitzwilliam’s lips curved slightly, a fleeting smile flashed in his eyes. Without hiding it, he replied, "The family bought us a house."

He intentionally used the vague term "the family bought" to avoid Elara feeling burdened and not accepting it.

The result was that Elara almost choked on her sandwich.

"Cough cough... cough cough..."

Zion quickly took out milk from the paper bag, opened it, and handed it to her.

Elara coughed for a long time, then drank half a carton of milk in one breath before she caught her breath again. She couldn’t eat the sandwich anymore, "You’re saying... your family bought you a house?"

Zion corrected, "It’s for us."

Fearing Elara might overthink, he quickly added, "Originally, getting married should mean the family buys a house and a car. This is the attitude the man’s family should have. When we were in a cooperative relationship, I didn’t let the family buy it. Now that we are truly married, and Grandma mentioned it again, I agreed."

Glancing at Elara’s expression, he added a couple more explanations, "And I’m the only child of my parents. They’ve already prepared the money, so now it’s just about making up for what should have been done before."

Elara held the milk and didn’t know what to say for a moment.

In a normal marriage, indeed a new house and car should be bought. If the man’s family is well-off, they might prepare it in advance. If they’re average, both families might work together to help the couple set up a home.

But that’s for a normal marriage.

For her and Zion Fitzwilliam, how could it be considered a normal marriage?

Such a large gift, accepting it made her conscience uneasy...

But this house was bought by his family for him, and she couldn’t say much about it.

For a moment, she felt a bit at a loss.

She asked, "Was it bought outright, or with a loan?"

Zion casually replied, "Paid in full."

Elara felt even more anxious, "How much did it cost?"

Zion, although never having been poor, guessed that her question was due to feeling undeserving and quickly said, "I don’t know, but it’s within my family’s means."

Elara asked about the location and size, and after Zion answered, she estimated it must be at least over ten million.

She was a bit surprised that Zion’s family could come up with so much money to buy him a house, but given their relationship, she really couldn’t bring herself to accept it with peace of mind.

After thinking for a moment, she said to Zion, "This house was bought after we got married. If we don’t notarize it in advance, it would be considered a gift from your family to us, and it would be a joint asset. I think, just in case, when handling the paperwork, it should be specified that it’s only gifted to you personally."

Zion had never considered this issue before, and upon hearing it, he merely frowned and refused without hesitation, "No need."

Elara sighed softly and said frankly to him, "Your family buying a house and a car is based on us being in a normal marriage. But both of us know, we... are not that normal. I can’t have children, and I might never be able to give your parents a grandchild, so I think it’s best if..."

Zion looked ahead, driving, and gently interrupted her, "They didn’t buy us the house because they wanted a grandchild. This house was given to both of us. Your part is because you are my wife, not as compensation for having children."

Elara was stunned as she looked at him.

"But I, what have I done to deserve..."

"You are my wife, that’s what you’ve done to deserve this," Zion slightly frowned, then continued, "Actually, you don’t need to draw such a clear line between us. Even though, ehem, even though I’m not sure about my preferences, I will be absolutely faithful to our marriage. Choosing you means being together for a lifetime, sharing everything I have with you is something you deserve, and the law stipulates it as such."

Elara was left speechless by this, hesitated for a long time, then said, "Well, alright then."

Zion glanced sideways, looking deeply at her.

She seemed a bit insecure or sensitive in this regard.

Was it because in her first marriage, she was forced to sign a prenuptial agreement? Or was it because she was repeatedly hurt by the Jacobs, leading to a feeling of unworthiness?

Although it’s been almost a year since the divorce, and she seems to have completely regained her former vitality, whenever it comes to emotions or money, she still instinctively shrinks back a bit.

She wasn’t like this before.

Zion’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.

He felt heartache for the damage she had suffered, and thinking of what the Jacobs had done to her filled him with a desire to crush those people to dust.

But even if he took revenge on them all, the wounds she suffered wouldn’t disappear. All he could do was protect her as much as possible, using love and warmth to dispel the coldness of the past.

Afterwards, they drove in silence, and soon arrived at the hotel.

Because there were many people this time, they didn’t eat at Grandma Fitzwilliam’s house, but booked a private dining room instead.

Elara followed Zion inside, walking together through the entrance.

His tall figure blocked half the world in front of her, giving a reassuring feeling.

At the door of the private room, Zion slowed down and naturally held Elara’s hand.

Elara’s face instantly turned red. She felt both nervous and stiff as he held her hand, but a quiet and unacknowledged joy blossomed within her heart.

Upon entering the room, she was taken aback to find about ten people inside. Other than Grandma Fitzwilliam and Lucy Taylor, she didn’t recognize anyone else.

"Elara, my dear granddaughter-in-law, how I’ve missed you!"

Seeing Elara, Grandma Fitzwilliam joyfully rushed over and hugged her tightly, "In these past two months, has Zion bullied you? Tell Grandma, and I’ll sort him out!"

Elara quickly supported her and said, "Grandma, take it easy, Zion has been very good to me."

She helped Grandma Fitzwilliam sit down on a chair and exchanged greetings with Lucy Taylor, who watched her with a complicated feeling, fiddling with a spoon in a small dish with a sense of dissatisfaction.

She obviously wanted to drive this daughter-in-law away, but the more she tried, the closer they got?

The handsome middle-aged man beside her noticed and smiled, gently holding her hand. Lucy Taylor immediately looked at her husband with puppy eyes, and the couple had no qualms about their affection.

Zion Fitzwilliam seemed indifferent to his parents’ affection, or perhaps he was numb to it; they were true love, and he was the odd one out. Yes, it had always been this way since he was a child.

He held Elara’s hand and introduced her one by one.

"Grandma, you’ve met my mom, and this is my dad."

Elara looked at the handsome man beside Lucy, realizing that he and Zion looked like they were cut from the same cloth.

Somewhat shyly, she greeted, "...Dad."

"Oh, oh." Damian Fitzwilliam seemed pleasantly surprised, rummaged through his pocket, and pulled out a rather thick red envelope, handing it to Elara. "Your grandma arranged things so quickly, I didn’t have time to prepare anything proper. Take this and use it to renovate your house later."

Elara estimated the thickness of the envelope to be around five thousand, and she did not decline, "Thank you, Dad."

Damian smiled kindly at Elara, then turned to Zion with a more subdued expression, nodding slightly to him and saying, "Elara is a good kid. Treat her well."

Zion responded in the same cold manner, "Mm."

Elara: ...?

Zion didn’t linger and turned, pulling Elara along to introduce, "That’s Uncle, Aunt, their youngest daughter, over there is Third Uncle, Third Aunt, and their eldest son."

Elara awkwardly repeated the greetings.

It was nothing else; mainly, Zion’s attitude in introducing these four people was too perfunctory. He didn’t even walk over to greet them.

It was openly dismissive.

The expressions on those two families weren’t good. Uncle Leonard Fitzwilliam and Third Uncle Gregory Fitzwilliam’s faces darkened immediately. They came specially today to gauge the truth about the wife Zion married, but they hadn’t even started probing before taking a cold shoulder.

However, in front of the old lady, they dared not say anything. Besides, both their families were now in subsidiaries, while Zion controlled the entire group. Even without the old lady present, they wouldn’t dare go too far.

Scheming in secret was one thing, but if it escalated publicly and Zion got serious, their families wouldn’t have good outcomes.

The old lady spoke timely, "Leonard, Gregory, where are your meeting gifts?"

Leonard and Gregory exchanged a glance, both feeling a pit in their stomachs.

Meeting gifts? Nobody mentioned that to them.

If the old lady hadn’t mentioned it, it would be fine, but since she did, and considering Damian just set an example, not giving anything would get them talked about in the family later.

Leonard gave his wife a pleading look, and she understood immediately, pulling a modestly funded card from her bag and handing it to him.

Leonard breathed a sigh of relief, smiled, and approached, "Zion, Elara, this is a wedding gift from Uncle. A small token, please accept it with a smile."

For the first time, Elara received a gift in the form of a bank card and didn’t know if she should accept it. A hand had already reached out next to her, taking it. Zion’s voice was cold and indifferent, "Thank you, Uncle."

Gregory handed over a card as well, "Zion, this is from Third Uncle. Don’t be shy, take it."

"Thank you, Third Uncle."

He casually placed the two cards into Elara’s jacket pocket.

Elara’s smile almost froze, feeling the two bank cards in her pocket becoming hot potatoes. If they were only a few thousand or ten thousand, why issue a card? There must be a hefty sum in them, and holding them made her somewhat uneasy.

Was Zion’s family this wealthy? Even Uncle and Third Uncle’s mannerisms seemed like they were of high standing.

But thinking of the red envelope Damian gave her earlier, she eased a little, thinking that Zion’s uncle and third uncle were probably the wealthy ones, while his parents were ordinary people.

Even being "ordinary," they could casually pull out millions for a house, showing they were far above Elara’s own family background.

All in all, she was marrying up again.

Her mind was a mess, unclear about her thoughts until an impolite voice broke in, "I heard Second Sister-in-law is divorced? Second Brother stayed single for thirty years, and finally married someone like that? It’s embarrassing even to say it out loud."

Elara looked up in astonishment and saw it was the eldest son brought by Third Uncle Gregory who spoke.

Phillip Fitzwilliam lounged lazily in his chair, unashamedly ridiculing when he saw Elara’s gaze, "Even a divorcée can marry into the Fitzwilliam Family, Second Brother’s taste really isn’t that great."

Elara hesitated over whether retaliating against this Third Uncle’s child in front of a room of elders for this first encounter would seem too rude.

But beside her, Zion already spoke first, "Think before you speak."

His voice wasn’t loud, his tone quite calm, yet Elara inexplicably sensed an imposing aura.

Phillip’s expression changed slightly, subconsciously glancing at Grandma Fitzwilliam. Seeing no reaction from her, he regained his courage, "Second Brother, I’m just telling the truth, you aren’t serious, are you?"

"No." Zion said, picking up the tea cup in front of him and flinging it over.

With a bang.

The tea cup hit Phillip’s forehead, raising a large, swollen bump.

The hot tea made Phillip scream, leaping from his seat and glaring at Zion fiercely, "You dare hit me in Grandma’s presence?" 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Zion remained expressionless. His face was imposing when stern, "Just a warning, if you keep rambling, get out!"

Phillip looked towards Grandma Fitzwilliam unwillingly, complaining, "Grandma, didn’t you always say we should be united and loving as siblings? Look at Second Brother, I just spoke the truth and he got violent! Just because he’s in charge..."

"Phillip Fitzwilliam." Zion cut him off, his tone cautionary.

Phillip shivered involuntarily, suddenly realizing his slip almost revealed what Grandma had strictly forbidden before she arrived.

He was disgruntled. Pampered by his parents since birth, yet always overshadowed by Zion in the family. For years, he achieved nothing, living a wanton lifestyle that his family couldn’t control, thinking himself safe from Zion since he didn’t work in the company. Others worried about Zion making things difficult for them at work, but he had no such fears.

The old gentleman, when alive, liked him best for his flattery that often brought joy. After the old gentleman’s passing, Grandma, fond of him due to the old gentleman’s preferences, also indulged him.

He was the only one bold enough to openly argue with Second Brother without fearing repercussions, confident Grandma would protect him.

Now, Phillip gazed expectantly at Grandma Fitzwilliam, slightly complaining, "Grandma, I just said what came to mind without bad intentions, and yet Second Brother acts like he wants to kill me!"