Chapter 2

"David Bell, you did this on purpose," Grandma questioned, her voice trembling with emotion. Seeing her agitation, David Bell quickly asked, "What's wrong, Grandma? What did I do?"

"You know very well what you did. You did this on purpose," Madison Garcia said, her agitation evident.

"David, what have you done to make Grandma so angry?" Easton Night asked, puzzled.

"Nothing, I don't know. I didn't do anything," David Bell replied, feigning innocence.

"You agreed to meet potential brides, yet you haven't shown any interest in any of them. Other girls clearly like you, so why won't you give them a chance? You always claim you're too busy with work," Madison Garcia questioned, her voice rising.

"Grandma, don't get upset. Look at the women you've chosen for me. I don't like any of them. If I married one of them, the Bell family's reputation would be tarnished," David Bell responded, displeased. Besides, did he really need to go on blind dates? Women flocked to him with just a beckoning finger; this whole matchmaking ordeal was regrettable.

"Embarrassment? Aren't the women you associate with just like that? Now you're saying you don't want such women. You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" Madison Garcia continued, her frustration palpable. Although others respected the Bell family, this situation was becoming increasingly awkward.

"Grandma, I'm thinking about the Bell family's future too. This is about marriage, not a casual fling. The women you've chosen aren't suitable. Do you understand what I'm saying?" David Bell said, his frustration mounting. He didn’t need Grandma's help to find a wife.

"Oh, so David likes pure-hearted girls. Well, that’s...," Madison Garcia hesitated. In today's society, where could she find someone as pure as in their times?

"Grandma, my standards aren't that high. I just want someone a bit more proper," David Bell said with a smile, seeing her hesitation. He had encountered countless women; he knew exactly what he wanted.

"Don't worry, David. Leave this to me. I know a girl who is absolutely your type. Trust me," Madison Garcia said confidently, patting her chest.

David Bell inwardly smiled bitterly. Grandma, the only one I want to marry is Daisy. If it's not Daisy, I don't want to look at anyone else. Two years have passed, and my longing for Daisy hasn't waned. The hatred has only deepened. This woman has truly tormented me.

"Mom, David is grown up now. He knows what he's doing. You don't need to worry. Besides, where will you find a girl David likes?" Charles Bell asked, wondering why his mother was so involved.

"If you, as his father, don't handle it, of course, it falls to me. Don't worry, I have this under control," Madison Garcia said confidently. She was certain this time would be successful.

David Bell wanted to say something but seeing his grandmother's confident face, he held his tongue.

David Bell looked helplessly at his father, who was even more resigned. It seemed the matchmaking efforts would continue relentlessly. Indeed, they were committed to seeing it through to the end.

"Madam Bell? What brings you here today?" Benjamin Harris asked nervously.

"Mr. Harris, I am a straightforward person. I understand your company is experiencing some financial difficulties recently. I believe the Bell Group can assist you," Madison Garcia said with a smile.

Benjamin Harris was stunned. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Why would the Bell family want to help him?

"Actually, I have no other intentions. I just know your daughter is a very lovely girl, and I think she would be a good match for my grandson," Madison Garcia said directly. There was no need to hide such things.

"Are you referring to Kayla?" Benjamin Harris asked, puzzled. How did the Bell matriarch know about Kayla?

"Yes, exactly. I hope Kayla can marry into the Bell family. Rest assured, I will take good care of her. I hope you will agree. Your company is a large one; if it goes bankrupt, what will happen to all those people? Of course, I am not forcing a marriage. I simply want them to meet first. If they are not compatible, so be it. What do you say?" Madison Garcia said with a smile, knowing she had already succeeded.

"But..." Benjamin Harris didn't know how to respond. How could he trade his daughter's happiness for business?

"I'll give you some time. I'll be waiting." With that, Madison Garcia left with a smile, confident that he would agree.

"Kayla, stop daydreaming. That man is indeed very capable, but don't forget he's a notorious playboy. How can you be interested in such a man?" Fiona asked, puzzled.

"Do you think I'm like you, always going for the gentle types? You don't understand; this man has a commanding presence. I admire men who are decisive and manly," Kayla said with a smile.

"Fine, if you like him so much, you can marry him," Fiona said as they laughed and went for lunch.

"Kayla, my mom is forcing me to go on a blind date. I'm so frustrated. I'm only 21, and she wants me to get married. It's driving me crazy," Fiona said angrily.

"No way, so soon? Aren't you going to college?" Kayla asked in surprise.

"I don't know what my parents are thinking. But I'm firmly against it. There's no way I'm letting my parents set me up. I'll find someone myself," Fiona said with a laugh.

"Heh, same here. I want to find a man like David Bell. Only then will I feel the desire to conquer," Kayla said with a smile.

"You really have no idea. You're obsessed," Fiona said with a laugh. Kayla was truly infatuated with David Bell, even going so far as to pretend to be a maid for him. It was absurd.

"Ring, ring, ring." Kayla's phone rang. After taking the call, Kayla's expression changed slightly.

"What's wrong?" Fiona asked, puzzled.

"It seems there's some issue at home. My dad wants me to go back tonight. Let's just eat," Kayla said with a smile.

"Kayla, these are the clothes for tomorrow. Remember to wear them," Natalie Lopez said, patting her daughter's head.

"What's going on, Mom? Why such a grand outfit?" Kayla asked, perplexed.

"Kayla, you're not so young anymore. I've met a very nice young man, and I've arranged for you to meet him tomorrow," Natalie Lopez said with a smile.

"Mom, what are you talking about?" Kayla stood up, speaking excitedly.

"Kayla, please listen to me," Natalie Lopez said softly, holding Kayla's hand.

"Mom, you know how I feel. I won't accept arranged marriages. I want to find my own future husband, not this way," Kayla immediately retorted.

"Kayla, I understand your point, but I have reasons beyond my control. Look at your father; he hasn't returned, and the situation at his company is becoming increasingly dire. It's his life's work. Can you bear to watch his company collapse?" Natalie Lopez said helplessly.

"How does this relate to me being set up? Is this some kind of transactional marriage?" Kayla was even more surprised. Her usually open-minded mother was suggesting this.

"Kayla, I'm sorry. I know you won't be happy about this, and I know you'll resent me for it. But I've already agreed. I hope you can maturely consider your father's position. If his company fails, it won't just affect him; everyone in the company will suffer. If you can accept this, it would be best. As for tomorrow's gathering, go if you want to. I won't force you. In this society, many things aren't as simple as we wish. You're grown up now; society is very realistic," Natalie Lopez said, leaving after these words. Any mother would feel heartache saying such things to her daughter, but there was no other choice. Once she chose this path, she had to follow through. Sometimes, people can't just think for themselves.

Kayla sat on the edge of her bed, suddenly smiling. She remembered telling Fiona that she would control her own marriage that afternoon. But now, everything was right in front of her. She couldn't watch her father's hard-earned company disappear or let so many people lose their jobs. Now that the situation was clear, she had to endure it all.

"Mom, how do I look? Kayla asked, smiling in a pretty dress.

"You look lovely, truly lovely. Kayla, you're so understanding," Natalie Lopez said, watching her daughter. It was difficult for her too, but there was no other way. She would never make such a decision herself.

"Kayla, I haven't met him either, but the man you'll be meeting tomorrow is quite remarkable. I won't say more now; I'll give you a surprise," Natalie Lopez said, smiling as she held Kayla's hand.

Remarkable? Yeah, right. Would an exceptional person even bother with a blind date? He's probably just some rich kid with no accomplishments. I'll have to set him straight.

"David, I'm determined to satisfy you this time. Behave yourself, or if this doesn't work out, I'll make you take a year off until you find your wife. If I fail to continue the Bell family line, I'll be a pariah for all time. David, did you hear what I said?" Madison Garcia said, displeased.

"I heard you, Grandma," David Bell said impatiently. He was curious to see what kind of woman would dare to attend his blind date. Damn it.

"Mrs. Bell, I'm sorry for being late," Natalie Lopez apologized.

"Not at all, we've just arrived ourselves," Mrs. Bell said, looking at Kayla with profound satisfaction.

Kayla felt uncomfortable under Mrs. Bell's intense scrutiny. Seriously, can't she see I'm human? This is so frustrating!

"So this is Kayla, indeed very beautiful," Mrs. Bell said, smiling as she pulled Kayla closer.

"Grandma, hello," Kayla replied with a forced smile, feeling quite uneasy.

"David, this is the Kayla Grandma mentioned. Please have a good chat. Your aunt and I have something to attend to, so we'll leave you to it," Madison Garcia said, smiling as she departed.

Madison Garcia left feeling astonished; there was someone so strikingly similar in this world, yet it couldn't be Daisy, too inexperienced.

Kayla was stunned. Wasn't the man in front of her David Bell? It couldn't be. Her blind date today was her idol, David Bell. Kayla rubbed her eyes forcefully, but the man before her was indeed David Bell. This was incredible! Kayla wanted to scream out loud; it felt like winning a million dollars. So exhilarating!

"Have you seen enough?" David Bell said, displeased. Why did this woman's eyes and face resemble Daisy's so much? It couldn't be the same person. But she wasn't Daisy; her gaze was entirely different. Daisy was so mature, like a woman. Yet this girl before him was just a greenhorn, not the same. She looked like Daisy only in face and eyes, nothing more.

"No, I mean, sorry, my name is Harris Kayla," Kayla said, feeling embarrassed. How could she not be excited meeting her crush for the first time?

"I know your name. Would you like to marry me?" David Bell looked into Kayla's eyes, his heart full of Daisy. In his mind, he kept asking: Is this heaven's gift to me?

"I, I..." Kayla stuttered, unsure of what to say. Who asks that on a first meeting? Though she was clearly excited?

Before Kayla could process it all, David Bell kissed her passionately. But it felt different; she wasn't Daisy. Her lips were so inexperienced. David Bell was certain she wasn't Daisy, but her appearance, her face, was Daisy's.

At that moment, Kayla was completely overwhelmed. This man was too intense. For the naive Kayla, there was no defense.