I Have An Idea

Nolan listened from outside the room as the two sisters argued with each other. He had excused himself, seeking the truth. Although he wasn't one to believe in what he considered nonsense, Hailey's story about reincarnation intrigued him. He knew it would be difficult for her to prove her claims, especially since she mentioned that the plot had changed and things weren't going as expected. On a different note, he overheard Cassidy mention that Hailey was the sacrificial lamb. Could it be that his uncle had been deceived by the Lincolns, he wondered.

 

The Rothschild family held a revered and feared position, commanding vast connections and political influence. Their ancestor, Zachary Rothschild, had two sons who divided the dynasty upon his passing. The major family belonged to Mac, the first son, and the minor family to Samuel, the second son. Currently, Nolan's paternal grandfather, Gareth, held the reins of the major family, making decisions for the entire family.

 

After eavesdropping for long enough, Nolan wheeled himself to the dining room, where breakfast was promptly served to him. Mrs. June, the housekeeper, doted on him and treated him as her own child since he had lost his birth mother.

 

"I am crippled in my legs, Mrs. June, not my hands. I can tie my own napkin; I'm not a child," he complained, swatting away her hands. He despised being treated as a liability or, worse, like a toddler. He was still Nolan Rothschild, and not even a wheelchair could diminish his reputation.

 

Mrs. June laughed heartily, throwing her head back. "As if anyone could ever consider you a child. Enjoy your meal." The atmosphere shifted when Maximilian Rothschild, Nolan's uncle from the minor family, entered the room. Nolan's parents had died in an air crash when he was young, and his uncle had become a father figure to him. It was his uncle who had brought Hailey into their home.

 

"Good morning, Mr. Rothschild," Mrs. June greeted, curtsying with her good knee. He glanced at her briefly, waving her off dismissively without acknowledging her pleasantries. Mrs. June curtsied once more and left the kitchen. Nolan ate his meal, intentionally ignoring his uncle's presence.

 

"I heard you went to see your bride earlier today, Nolan. What did you think about her?" his uncle inquired.

 

Nolan ignored the question until he was certain his plate was empty. He drained his glass of water and reclined in his wheelchair, feeling satisfied with himself.

 

"You've been deceived, uncle. The woman in that room is not the same woman Bernard Lincoln told you about. The woman you coerced here—"

 

"Be careful with your words, Nolan! I did not coerce anyone; she was brought here by her father. Bernard assured me that she was indeed his first daughter, as we had discussed. Then who is she?" his uncle interrupted.

 

"Her name is Hailey Lincoln, and..." Nolan proceeded to recount everything Hailey had shared with him—her parents' divorce, her mother's death, and her adoption by the Bale foster family. Max remained silent throughout, seething with anger and clenching his teeth. When Nolan finished, he waited for his uncle's response, which proved to be explosive, as expected.

 

""Bernard!" he yelled, shaking his fist in planned retribution. "No one, and I mean absolutely no one, messes with the Rothschilds and gets away with it. I will show the Lincolns the stuff I'm made of!" Nolan grabbed his uncle's wrist to prevent him from leaving recklessly. They needed to tread carefully in order to resolve the situation.

 

"No, uncle! If you handle this matter with blind anger instead of precision, you won't achieve the satisfaction you seek. Instead, you would only draw Grandfather's attention, and his health is fragile at the moment. We need to find a way to deal with the Lincolns for daring to deceive you without Grandfather finding out, and I have an idea."

 

***

 

Hailey stood before a mirror, drying herself with a towel. The angry, red marks from her earlier restraints remained on her wrists, despite the thorough bath she had taken. Cassidy had eventually brought her here when a maid arrived with some clothes. Her father had sent Cassidy to ensure she didn't attempt to escape, as if she could have done so with those tight cords restraining her. Her stepsister had gone to report back to her father, leaving Hailey to face her imposed fate.

 

"Do you want to wear the white dress or the blue one, Miss?" Mika, the maid asked meekly, holding up both dresses. Hailey glanced at them through the mirror, contemplating her choice. Blue was her favorite color, in any shade, but she wasn't feeling excited about colors at the moment.

 

"The white dress, please," she decided, and the maid promptly brought it to her. She was dressed appropriately, her wavy brunette hair combed until it shone, though her scalp ached. Once she looked presentable, Mika left her alone, and Hailey examined her reflection in the mirror. Her brown eyes were clear, and the dress truly suited her. White symbolized innocence, and that was the case she was pleading.

 

"You look beautiful, Miss," Mika praised, smiling at her. "You have the silkiest hair I have ever seen, and you have a natural beauty. Master Nolan will be pleased, as will Mr. Rothschild. They have made the right decision."

 

Not exactly the right decision, Hailey thought, her shoulders slumping as she remembered her betrothal. Nolan wasn't bad-looking. He was very handsome, and if not for the wheelchair, Hailey suspected he would be taller than her. He had an impenetrable steel gaze that held anyone who met it captive, either in awe or in fear.

 

"Tell me, Mika. Was Nolan born crippled?"

 

Mika sighed sadly and sat on the bed in resignation. "No, Master Nolan has experienced a lot of pain while growing up. His parents died in a plane crash on their way home from a trip, and he was orphaned at a young age. Then, about a year ago, he had a terrible accident, and the doctor confirmed that he would never be able to walk again. I beg you, Miss, try to make him happy again, for all our sakes."