The Billionaire I Blocked

"Miss Halloway, your mother's cancer cells have started to spread," the doctor's voice was calm, almost cold over the phone. "Please try to arrange the surgery funds as soon as possible. Any further delay could mean missing the optimal surgery window."

Elowen Halloway stared at the Department of Civil Affairs building just a few steps away. She took a deep breath. "The surgery funds will be in today. Please schedule the operation for my mother."

She hung up and stepped off her scooter, taking out her ID from her pocket.

Yes, that's right. She was here to get married.

All for the sake of 300,000 dollars for her mother's surgery.

She was marrying a man she had never even met before--because he was willing to pay her 300,000 as a bride price.

In this era, where the mere mention of a bride price would send most men into a fit, it was rare to find someone willing to pay such a sum for a marriage license.

Even though she had never met the man, the matchmaker, Grandpa Lockwood, assured her that he was 31, had never dated, and was still "a blank slate" when it came to relationships...

Recalling Grandpa Lockwood's words, Elowen couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

"Elowen, my grandson might look grumpy all the time, his face a bit harsh, his temper even worse. But don't let that put you off, alright? Deep down, he's a good guy, just a bit different from most people... You'll see when you meet him, I promise you'll be satisfied!"

Elowen felt a twinge of anxiety in her chest.

A 31-year-old man who had never been in a relationship, looked fierce, had a strange personality, and was described with the enthusiasm of selling a hard-to-sell product. Elowen couldn't shake the feeling that this potential husband of hers was probably some weird-looking fool!

Truth be told, Elowen was scared.

But then she thought of her mother, still waiting for the surgery funds in the hospital. Determination filled her eyes, and her doubts disappeared entirely.

So what!

It didn't matter if she was marrying a demon or a monster--if it meant saving her mother, Elowen was all in.

She parked her scooter, took off her helmet, and turned to see Grandpa Lockwood waving at her with his silver hair shining under the sun.

"Elowen!" Senior Mr. Lockwood approached with his cane, a warm smile on his face.

Elowen answered cheerfully, jogging over to help him, her voice both polite and sweet. "Grandpa Lockwood!"

The way she met this old man was nothing short of legendary.

A month ago, she was at the hospital taking care of her ailing mother. Just outside the hospital, she happened to encounter Senior Mr. Lockwood, who had suddenly fallen ill. Driven by her medical instincts, she rushed over and performed standard emergency measures without a second thought.

Later, when the doctors arrived, they praised her quick actions for buying critical time for Senior Mr. Lockwood's rescue.

Soon after, a recovered Senior Mr. Lockwood tracked her down--not just to thank her for her good deed, but because he felt an immediate bond with her, liking her immensely.

When he learned about her mother's cancer and the hefty surgery cost, he slapped his knee and proposed a deal: Elowen should marry his grandson and become his granddaughter-in-law. The 300,000 dollars she needed would be her bride price.

Of course, Elowen initially refused. Deep down, she believed that marriage should be based on love.

But her mother's surgery couldn't wait, his grandson needed a wife, and she needed the money. It was a straightforward trade-off.

Now, besides wanting to know what her future husband looked like, Elowen's main concern was whether the 300,000 dollars would actually arrive in her account today.

Feeling a bit awkward, she asked Senior Mr. Lockwood, "Grandpa Lockwood, about the money..."

Senior Mr. Lockwood lowered his voice and assured her, "Don't worry, Elowen! As soon as you two get the certificate, the full 300,000 will be in your account today!"

Elowen felt relieved. She glanced past Senior Mr. Lockwood, but all she saw was a silver minivan parked nearby--no sign of her potential husband.

Noticing her gaze, Senior Mr. Lockwood smiled warmly, tapped his cane on the ground, and shouted authoritatively towards the minivan, "Elowen is here! Get out of the car, boy!"

Inside the minivan, Dylan Lockwood heard his grandfather's urging.

His face was cold and rigid, with sharp eyes that narrowed dangerously, as if trying to pierce through the window to get a clearer look at the sweet, serene-faced girl supporting his grandfather.

Just an hour ago, Dylan had wrapped up an all-night video conference for a billion-dollar deal at his company. Exhausted, he was about to head home when his grandfather ambushed him at the office entrance.

"My dear grandson, do you want a wife or not? Come with me, I've even brought your ID! We're going to the Department of Civil Affairs now!"

Dylan immediately recalled the story from a month ago, when his grandfather had fainted outside the hospital and was saved by a young woman.

It wasn't surprising that he remembered it clearly. For the past month, his grandfather had been constantly praising that girl, insisting she was the perfect candidate for his wife.

Dylan had dismissed it as his grandfather's wishful thinking. But to calm the old man, he'd played along. He never expected that his grandfather was dead serious this time!

The fact that his grandfather was so enchanted made Dylan's senses go on high alert. For a girl to captivate his grandfather so thoroughly and insist on marrying him... she must be quite cunning.

She was willing to marry a stranger she'd never met? What was she after? Certainly not his good looks.

It was for the money.

She must have caught wind of his family background.

That's why she was so eager to charm his grandfather and marry him!

What a shameless display of greed.

So, ever resourceful, he borrowed a minivan, dressed in casual clothes, and followed his grandfather to the Department of Civil Affairs.

He was determined to see if this scheming woman would still agree to marry him once she saw he didn't look like a rich man.

Dylan stepped out of the minivan, his lips pressed into a tight line, keeping his emotions well hidden.

He strode forward.

Feeling an imposing presence behind her, Elowen turned around to see the man approaching.

He had a strikingly handsome face, eyes like cold stars, sharp eyebrows, and a tall, commanding figure. Even in casual wear, his aura was unmistakable.

Elowen thought she was seeing things. She looked again, confirming that the tall, long-legged man walking toward her in the backlight was real. She swallowed hard.

This... this was the man she'd be living with day and night for the next year... her husband?!

Elowen turned to Grandpa Lockwood for confirmation. He smiled kindly and introduced them, "Elowen, this is my eldest grandson, Dylan Lockwood."