Surprise Marriage to a Billionaire
Chapter 84: Bad News

Chapter 84: Bad News

Rain was still in awe after discovering that Alexander and his father had secretly arranged for someone to tail her, ensuring her safety. The firm, unwavering tone in her father-in-law’s voice when he referred to her as family made her heart swell with happiness. She couldn’t believe how much warmth and security she felt at that moment.

She turned to Alexander, eagerly awaiting his response. "Of course," Alexander replied, though his eyes narrowed as he looked at his father. Rain couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and endearment at the intensity between the father and son. These two were just so adorable, even when they were glaring at each other.

Rain wasn’t usually one to get emotional. She had learned to swallow her tears at a young age, enduring pain without complaint. But these two men... Just earlier, she had found herself crying, and she knew Sanya would have made a big deal out of it if she had been there to witness it.

And now, here she was again, welling up with tears—not from sadness, but from overwhelming joy. It was funny how easily the tears flowed when her heart was so full of bliss.

She quickly wiped her eyes, not wanting Alexander or her father-in-law to see her crying. But Rock had already noticed.

"Dear, are you crying?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. Alexander immediately turned to her, looking at her intently as he whispered, "Your eyes are red."

"I’m sorry... I just can’t help it," Rain said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I feel so fortunate and blessed right now. Thank you both so much for everything." She looked at Rock, then at Alexander, her wide smile shining through her tears.

"See, you made her cry," Alexander scolded his father, causing Rain to chuckle. "Let’s continue with dinner. I’m sure Uncle Ben is already tired of watching us by now," she suggested.

"Oh, please just call him Uncle Ben! He’s part of our family anyway," Rock added, and Rain nodded in agreement.

"It’s been a while since we’ve had a dinner like this," Ben commented, smiling warmly. "I mean, with more voices in the dining area besides just Sir Rock’s."

They began eating, still engaged in light conversation. Rain couldn’t help but ask Ben curiously, "How long have you been working with Father, Uncle Ben?"

Ben paused to think. "Let’s see, I’m fifty-four now, and I started working with Sir Rock a year before Alexander was born. Alexander is thirty now, so..."

"Twenty-five years," Rock interjected with a grin. "Goodness, you’re still slow with math."

Ben frowned slightly. "I was getting there," he replied, his mouth twitching in mild frustration. Turning back to Rain, he said, "So, it’s been twenty-five years, Mistress Rain."

"Just call me Rain, please," she insisted, and Ben nodded. She then turned to her father-in-law with a curious expression. "How old are you now, Father?"

Rock’s face lit up as he teasingly hummed, "Guess?"

Rain stared at him, quickly calculating Alexander’s age. ’If he got married at twenty-five, then that makes him fifty-five now?’ she thought.

"Fifty-five?" she guessed.

Rock shook his head.

"Fifty-four?" He shook his head again, so Rain continued guessing lower until she reached fifty.

"Do you have bad eyes, Rain?" Alexander interrupted with a smirk. "Can’t you tell he’s older than Uncle Ben?"

"Oh... But you’re thirty, and he’s so insistent on you settling down, so I thought he married young," she explained, trying to defend her guess.

"He married at twenty-nine," Alexander informed her with a shrug.

"Oh, I see! So Father is fifty-nine now!" Rain exclaimed, smiling at her father-in-law. "But you look younger than your age!"

"What a sweet talker!" Alexander scoffed, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Rain pouted playfully and said, "I’m just stating the facts."

Rock burst out in a fit of laughter, his deep voice echoing through the dining room, and Alexander couldn’t help but smile as he shook his head. It had been a long time since he’d heard his father laugh like this, and the sound was both comforting and heartwarming.

Rain’s playful banter had lightened the atmosphere, and for the first time in a while, the Lancaster household felt truly alive. The joy in Rock’s laughter seemed to lift everyone’s spirits, and even Alexander, who was usually more reserved, found himself relaxing in the warmth of the moment.

After dinner, Alexander and Rain walked upstairs together, their steps quiet in the dimly lit hallway. When they reached their rooms, which were just opposite each other, Rain turned to him with a sweet smile. "Thank you again for everything and good night."

Alexander nodded, watching as Rain disappeared into her bedroom. He found himself lingering, his gaze fixed on her closed door. There was something about this moment—something unfamiliar stirring within him, and it left him feeling unsettled and confused.

With a deep breath, he tore his eyes away from her door and headed back downstairs. The weight of those swirling emotions followed him, so he decided to grab a drink at the bar, hoping it might help clear his mind.

*****

Inside Rain’s bedroom, the smile on her face remained unwavering, even as her phone rang. She answered with a bright, "Hello."

"You sound so happy. This is a change from your usual serious tone whenever you answer my calls," Brandon teased on the other end.

Rain chuckled softly. "I guess I’m just in a good mood today."

"Well, I’ve got both good news and bad news for you. Which one do you want first?" Brandon asked.

"Good news," Rain decided.

"We’ve gathered enough evidence against Madame Beck, and it’s all thanks to you. I’ve already secured the search and arrest warrants. We’re heading to the club now," Brandon informed her.

Rain’s smile widened. "That’s fantastic news, Brandon. I knew we’d get her."

"But..." Brandon’s tone turned more serious. "Now, for the bad news."

Rain’s smile faltered slightly, bracing herself for what was coming next.

Rain’s face paled as Brandon continued speaking, his words erasing the joy she had felt just moments ago. The good news about Madame Beck was quickly overshadowed by the gravity of what he was telling her now. Her heart sank, and she gripped the phone tighter, trying to process everything.

"Are you sure about this?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she struggled to maintain her composure.

"Yes, Rain. I wouldn’t have brought it up if I wasn’t," Brandon replied, his tone serious and reassuring.

Rain took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Alright. Thanks for letting me know."

After ending the call, Rain sat on the edge of the bed, her mind racing with the implications of Brandon’s news. The warm comfort she had felt earlier now seemed like a distant memory, replaced by a cold, creeping dread.

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