Chapter 273: Chapter 273: Regret-2

"Oh, and we found our sister... when she got to know about your condition, she pitched in to help. So she is ready to provide a monthly support of 100 kg of rice and 10 kg of meat until the end of her lifetime." Ember’s sweet voice sounded like a haunting melody to Brenda’s ears.

’She must be bluffing!’ That was the first thought that came to Brenda’s mind, and in the next second, a mocking smirk made its way to her lips.

"There is a limit to how much a person can lie! 100 kg of rice? 10 kg of meat each month? Do you take me for a fool? Or are you here to bluff and make me remorseful?"

Brenda’s words were indeed half true. They were there to make her remorseful, however...

"Remorseful? Why would we?" Ember feigned a puzzled expression. "We are telling the truth."

"Yes, Aunt." Ivy stepped away, and the next second Brenda’s eyes fell on a cart filled with jute sacks.

"We have even prepared an advance payment!" Ivy’s sincere voice pricked in Brenda’s ears like needles.

In a trembling voice, she asked, "You... you all are lying, right? No way... those jute sacks have food..."

"Why not come and check!" Ivy’s sincere tone provoked Brenda’s inner demons, and with quick steps, she closed the distance and pushed open the sacks.

Seeing the pristine white rice, Brenda’s heart started to bleed, and tears flashed in her eyes.

"Have you seen it? Are you assured now?" Ember’s eager voice made Brenda feel dizzy.

So much food! So much food could have lasted them a lifetime! They could have lived like a king!

Meeting Ember’s gaze, Brenda’s mind churned before an idea flashed through her, and she immediately put on a smile.

"Alright! Then I agree to your marriage! When Jay returns from his mission, we can begin with the marriage!"

Bluff! That was the only solution.

She will spread the word in the crowd about her approval of Jay and Ember’s marriage, and once her son returns, she will mend her relationship with him while enjoying the benefits provided by the Nightbane family.

What a good idea! It was like killing two birds with one stone.

Both Ivy and Ember almost laughed hearing this. They have met shameless people... but no one like Brenda!

Almost everyone in the base was gossiping about her! Wasn’t she scared that Ivy and Ember would know the truth later and cause trouble?

To be precise, Brenda did feel scared, but she justified her actions by thinking that once the food entered her courtyard, she would refuse to return it, leaving the Nightbane with no choice but to wait.

What kind of trouble can they even cause?

However, instead of exposing her, Ivy and Ember looked thrilled. "Really? That’s great."

Before Brenda could begin, both Ivy and Ember turned to leave, and they even motioned for Felix to pull away the cart.

Seeing this, Brenda’s heart beat quickened, and she stopped them. "What are you doing, child? You need to put these bags in my house!"

"Eh? Why? Jay isn’t here, and only when Ember and Jay get married could this dowry be transferred."

Brenda froze, her smile stiffening as she processed Ivy’s words.

"D-Dowry? What nonsense are you talking about? You said this was monthly support!"

Ember’s eyes gleamed mischievously, her voice honeyed yet edged with cold mockery.

"Of course it is, Aunt Brenda. But it’s support for our family. Since you’re going to become part of it through marriage, naturally, the first installment should only be given after the wedding."

The color drained from Brenda’s face. Her hands twitched at her sides as she tried to maintain her composure.

"You...you can’t fool me with these games! You brought this food here already, so just leave it. I’ll make sure Jay knows of your generosity when he returns."

Ivy tilted her head slightly, her expression gentle but her words sharp as a blade.

"We’re afraid we can’t do that, Aunt. Our sister was very clear: her support will only begin once our families officially unite. Without that, we’d be breaking her word."

Felix, following Ivy’s cue, began pulling the cart away again. The jute sacks shifted slightly, the faint sound of rice grains rustling making Brenda’s heart clench painfully.

"Wait!" Brenda’s voice cracked as she stumbled forward. "At least leave one sack! Just one! You can bring the rest after the marriage!"

Ember gave her a sympathetic look, though the faint curve of her lips betrayed amusement.

"We can’t, Aunt. You see, I am a second-hand good. In case you back out of the marriage, every bag of grain will become my lifeline."

What a joke. With the supplies Ember possesses, she could easily marry two to three men!

Who would dare call her second-hand goods?

Heat rushed to Brenda’s cheeks when she realized that Ember was throwing back the words she had once said to her.

"Child, are you still holding a grudge for what had happened before? I will apologize, alright? It was Auntie being petty! She didn’t realize your value."

"What an insincere sorry!" Ivy snorted, "If I were in your place, I would have apologized to every single member of the Nightbane family! And sister, what do you mean by second-hand good? I have already found another man, much more handsome than him; his family is only demanding 10 kg of rice!"

Brenda’s mouth fell open. "What?" she blurted out, her face paling further.

Ember turned her gaze toward Ivy in surprise, almost breaking into laughter. "Ten kilograms? That’s a bargain, sister!" she teased.

Ivy folded her arms with an exaggerated sigh. "Exactly! He’s young, strong, and doesn’t have an overbearing mother to deal with. Honestly, I might just accept him before Aunt Brenda’s son even comes back."

Brenda’s lips trembled. "You...you can’t do that! You already promised."

"Promised?" Ember interrupted softly, her tone sugar-sweet but her eyes glinting with icy amusement.

"Aunt Brenda, you were the one who said Jay deserved better than me. You even forced me to break off the engagement; have you forgotten?"