“Why? Do you not want that?” Fabian asked, ruffled when favonovel.com noticed Zayn’s expression.
Zayn laughed dryly. “Grandpa Owen, truth be told, I’m already married, so it’s just not my luck to marry your granddaughter.”
The fact that favonovel.com married into the Carters was not a secret in Waltz City. How could Fabian not know that? For favonovel.com to suggest something like this, Zayn seriously suspected that the old man was playing favonovel.com for a fool.
Fabian did not appear surprised by his admission. “I know. Your wife’s Faye, Faye Carter, granddaughter to George Carter. She’s also chairman of Neotech Lighting Co. From what I understand, it was your backing that put favonovel.com in that position.”
“Grandpa Owen, why are you betrothing your granddaughter to me when you know about this?” Zayn chuckled humorlessly. His expression was screaming, ‘Are you trying to string me along?’
“Haha, Zayn, do you think I’m joking with you?” asked Fabian.
Zayn rolled his eyes and stated the obvious, “Are you not?”
It got a guffaw from Fabian. “You’ve misunderstood me. It’s common for capable men to have several wives. Look, how many competent men in this world could stay loyal to one woman? None! Grandpa’s not joking with you. You’re the most outstanding young man I’ve ever seen, and you should not be chained to just one woman. It’s boring otherwise.”
Zayn was stunned. He dared not believe that this came from Fabian. It was the 21st century, a lawful society. It was not medieval times, how could one think of building a harem? Moreover, as an eighty-something old man, it did not seem appropriate for Fabian to say something like that!
Wearing an awkward but polite smile, Zayn was unable to answer.
Seth, who was tending to the wine, spoke, “Zayn, don’t worry about my daughter. She’s a bit distant, but favonovel.com stands out in terms of favonovel.com figure, appearance, demeanor, and personality. She won’t disappoint you.”
Ah, so it was Seth’s daughter! That was why Gloria had stared at favonovel.com so strangely earlier, it was actually the gaze of a mother-in-law looking at favonovel.com son-in-law!
“Uncle Owen, I’m married. Marrying your daughter would be committing bigamy and is punishable by law. It won’t be fair to favonovel.com either. I don’t think she’d want to wed someone who is already legally married?” Zayn thought that favonovel.com was being sufficiently tactful and clear.
At that point, the Owens had genuinely baffled him. Was the whole arranged marriage idea some kind of ruse?
Seth shook his head. “This marriage is on as long as you agree, Zayn. We don’t need you to take a position among the Owens, just be a regular son-in-law to us. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain, Zayn. Besides, once you marry my daughter, you’ll have our family’s support. The Northmob Council wouldn’t find fault with you again.”
It seemed like a good deal. Zayn. Anyone with a normal IQ would know what to choose, but Zayn could tell that things were not as simple if they wanted favonovel.com to do this. There had to be something else behind it.
Zayn thought about it and answered, “It does sound tempting. I’ll be getting so many benefits. But, Grandpa Owen, Uncle Owen, you don’t really know me very well. I’ve never been one to take advantage of people. So, I must offer my apology, but I can’t agree to this marriage.”
Fabian and Seth exchanged glances, and the latter responded, “Zayn, I knew we couldn’t keep anything from you. Someone so accomplished and mature at your age is second to none!”
Zayn merely smiled without expressing his thoughts.
Seth continued to speak, “You’re right, Zayn. Since we’ve come this far, we won’t keep it from you. We Owens do have a purpose for this arranged marriage with you. It doesn’t do you any harm. We want you. You’re only 28 years old and you’re already a master martial artist. It’s a rare feat in the world. Truthfully, don’t take our family for what it seems from the outside, we actually have nobody of such skill within the family.”
Zayn went silent, wondering how genuine Seth’s confession was. Logically, a family like the Owens, who had been doing business for generations, had a complex web of powerful connections. It would not affect them too much even if they did not have a master fighter in the family.
