Chapter 4: Be Grateful Even After Being Sold Off

Misfortunes never come singly, and a rope always breaks at its weakest point.

Selena Patrick, who had planned to discuss Edgar Patrick's condition with Freda Patrick in a few days, found herself unable to broach the subject any longer.

After comforting Freda Patrick, Selena Patrick left the ward and paid part of the hospitalization fee on her behalf. Staring at the balance in her bank account, she felt despondent.

Lowering her gaze, she pondered for a long time before gently removing the necklace that had been around her neck for twenty years. Clutching it tightly in her hand for a few seconds, she then stood up and walked out.

She would pawn it; it could help her through this immediate crisis. No matter how reluctant she was, no matter how much she cherished it, without money, everything would be impossible.

Holding the necklace, Selena Patrick left the hospital and went to the nearest pawn shop, where she handed it over to the staff at the counter.

"Miss, this necklace has an old-fashioned design and isn't made of pure gold, but rather K-gold, which isn't very valuable. The most valuable part might be this cat's eye gemstone, but..." The young woman at the counter said somewhat awkwardly.

Selena Patrick knew that the necklace, while priceless to her, was worth little here. Still, she wanted to try to get as much as possible.

"This was left to me by my mother. How much do you think it's worth? I really need the money urgently."

The receptionist took the necklace and stepped out, "Please wait here for a moment. I'll ask our boss."

"Thank you."

Waiting was agonizing. Soon, the receptionist returned, "Miss, our boss says he can offer up to 1,000 dollars. However, he also mentioned that we can hold onto the necklace for you. If you ever have enough money, you can come back and redeem it."

1,000 dollars wasn't much, but the fact that they were willing to keep it for her was enough.

"Alright, 1,000 dollars is fine. I will definitely come back to redeem it."

"Let me process the paperwork for you."

Before the 1,000 dollars even warmed her hands, Selena Patrick transferred it to Freda Patrick, hoping she wouldn't feel guilty or remorseful about the money.

After Selena Patrick left, the pawn shop staff brought the necklace to a man sitting in a side room, holding a string of prayer beads.

"Mr. Maugham."

The man took the necklace, weighed it in his hand, and raised his finger slightly. The staff member then left.

Though the necklace looked insignificant, it held great meaning. She wouldn't have used such an important item to exchange for money unless she was truly desperate.

Holding it lightly in his hand, a faint, enigmatic smile appeared on his lips.

...

Returning home dejectedly, Selena Patrick heard Judy Patrick's voice before she even reached the stairwell.

"The Maugham family truly lives up to their reputation as one of J city's elite. They are indeed generous. If it weren't for their son being so sick, I would have reserved this good fortune for Sharon."

Following the sound, Selena Patrick saw the living room filled with red betrothal gifts: rows of dark red camphorwood boxes, gilded jade bracelets with filigree craftsmanship, ancient flower vases from the Ming and Qing dynasties of China, thick stacks of red banknotes, and property deeds, all testifying to the groom's family's wealth.

The Maugham family?

Which Maugham family?

Seeing Selena Patrick approach, Judy Patrick smiled, "Selena, you've hit the jackpot. Someone has come to propose, and it's the Maugham family."

"What proposal? Which Maugham family?"

Judy Patrick slapped her own mouth, chiding herself for not being clear, "It's Jeffrey Maugham. He came to our house to propose, specifically asking for you. Don't you think you're incredibly lucky?"

Selena Patrick had heard of Jeffrey Maugham. By seniority, Steven Austin should call him 'Little Uncle.'

Rumors had it that Jeffrey Maugham was quite odd, suffering from a strange illness for years, with a temperamental and unpredictable personality. Sometimes he was lucid, other times he was in a coma, and it seemed he didn't have long to live.

She had never met Jeffrey Maugham, and she was still engaged to Steven Austin. What was going on?

Suspicion rising, Selena Patrick frowned, "Are you selling me off again behind my back?"

"The Maugham family is one of the top families in J city, unlike the Austin family. This is your good fortune, child. Why don't you appreciate it?"

"If it's so good, why don't you let Sharon Patrick marry him?" she asked, feeling like she was being forced into a bad deal.

"Sharon doesn't have this kind of luck," Darren Patrick, smoking a cigar, interjected. "Selena, you're already twenty. How can you still be so naive? Who can just marry Jeffrey Maugham? It's a blessing that he chose you."

"Thanks, but I can't accept this kind of blessing."

As she turned to leave, Darren Patrick called out coldly, "Your father has been in the hospital for years with no improvement. Yesterday, the doctor told me that his organs are nearing failure. If we don't increase the treatment, he might..."

Selena Patrick's legs weakened, disbelieving. She had just visited Edgar Patrick, and although there was no improvement, he wasn't in such dire straits.

"How come I didn't know my father was this serious?"

"Of course you didn't. I'm the one paying for his treatment, not you," Darren Patrick said, raising his chin, acting like a savior.

"What do you mean? Are you not planning to treat my father anymore? Do you want him to die? Don't forget how much of our family's property you've taken."

Darren Patrick's face paled, "I will continue to treat your father, and I'll send him to the best hospital and use the best medicine. But you need to be sensible."

His meaning was clear. Selena Patrick's lips curled slightly, "In other words, you want to sell me and make me grateful for it."

"The Maugham family specifically asked for you, not us."

Darren Patrick guessed that the Maugham family wanted Selena Patrick for the same reason as the Austin family—her rare, auspicious birth chart that was believed to bring good fortune to her husband.

"You can consider it, but remember, you don't want to offend the Maugham family."

In J city, offending anyone was acceptable, except the Maugham family. But Selena Patrick was more concerned about her father's treatment. She couldn't lose him.

If something happened to her father, she would...

The only asset she currently had was the land in Nancheng. If it weren't for the deed clearly stating her name, it would have already fallen into Darren Patrick's hands like the rest of the property. If Darren Patrick refused to pay for her father's treatment, she would have to sell the land, but it was currently untradeable for a year.

"So, you'd rather offend the Austin family than the Maugham family?" she sneered. "In that case, I'll hold a press conference to clarify that Steven Austin betrayed me first and cheated, and I'll break off the engagement, giving the Maugham family some face."

"Do you think you can still hold a press conference if Jeffrey Maugham finds out about your encounter with the gigolo?"

Darren Patrick's anger flared.

"Who said I have to marry him?" Selena Patrick crossed her arms and leisurely walked up to Darren Patrick. "You want me to marry him, but you want to keep both the face and the benefits. That's not how it works."

"Selena, you need to understand. If you offend the Maugham family, even if I want to, no hospital in J city will dare to take your father."

Selena Patrick was stunned.