Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina visited Dr. Kruger before meeting with Gordon. Jeremy was running late because he had an important international call to attend to and a board meeting to attend. He was apologetic, but Jerlina didn't mind it for real.

He doesn't have to go everywhere she goes. She can handle her business alone. 

He did send a lawyer with her because she is signing an important document. He wanted to make sure there aren't any hidden clauses that might be a trap for them.

Jerlina agreed with Jeremy on this issue. Although Jonathan showers her with affection, he is not the role model for honesty and integrity. She can acknowledge it and still can love him as an elder.

Although Jeremy's fears that Jonathan would 'kidnap' her to stay with him are unfounded, Jonathan has the capability to do that. She didn't think that Jonathan would do that but that doesn't mean she cannot humor her husband. 

She insisted Gordon visit their home for the signing, but Gordon insisted that they meet in the Presidential Suite of the five star hotel in the city for the signing, and later he would visit their home to take pictures for his Grandsire.

Jerlina visited Dr. Kruger on her way to the hotel. Dr. Kruger was receiving a series of texts and it seemed like she got anxious seeing those texts.

"Is it Amanda again?" Jerlina asked.  "Mom, you will talk to me is something is bothering you, right?" she asked. She couldn't shake off this odd feeling but since Jeremy's mom is insisting that she is fine, she didn't know what to do.

"I am fine!" Dr. Kruger patted her hand. "It is Emma. You know her. She just wants a reason to come back here and now she is pestering me."

"Oh?" Jerlina found that happening perfectly. "But I thought she doesn't need this place anymore. Isn't that what she said?"

Dr. Kruger laughed. "She just wants to get news about you…" Dr. Kruger held Jerlina's hand. 

Since she looked like she needed to say something serious, Jerlina listened carefully. 

"Don't let Emma near you, Jerlina. She's toxic and… Just convince Jeremy to not care for her anymore…And if anyone tries to contact you and ask you to meet them alone… just ignore them, please…" Dr. Kruger said with her eyes filled with concern.

"Mom, do you know something? Should I not know what it is?" Jerlina could see that she is obviously hiding something and she wanted to know what it is. The advice she gave seems pretty serious.

"Jerlina," Dr. Kruger sighed. "Are you happy these days?" she asked. "And do you trust me?"

"I am. I am very happy," Jerlina answered truthfully. "And I do trust you, mom."

Dr. Kruger nodded knowingly, patting her hand. It was as if she is saying that she does not need to know the truth his mom knows. 

Although Jerlina wanted to know the truth, she left without insisting. In the end, the elders know better, right?

Jerlina met up with the lawyer at the lobby of the hotel and Gordon met up with her in the lobby and welcomed her. Seeing him walking towards her with his two assistants and four bodyguards in tow, Jerlina didn't know what to think. She could only imagine the posse that would follow Jonathan if he ever goes out. 

Well, they show their importance this way, it seems… Maybe I should ask Joel to hire more assistants..?

When Jerlina introduced her lawyer and told Gordon that she brought him with her to interpret the legal jargon more truthfully, she thought Gordon would be offended and think that she is not trusting them. On the contrary, Gordon was impressed and praised her.

"You have a good sense of business. You'd do well, Lady Jerlina," he said.

But Jerlina didn't fail to notice the nervousness Gordon tried to hide beneath his pride. Jerlina didn't have to wait longer to know what Gordon was nervous about. 

Apparently, along with the patents and the ginormous amount of money, Jerlina is entitled to her great-grandmother's family castle – yes, a frigging CASTLE!! Other than that the clauses were all pretty much straightforward. 

She is getting what she is entitled to which was maintained by the Erling estate till now. The wordings were all pretty clear that she is getting what once belonged to the Hamilton family and it didn't say that Jonathan Erling is giving her anything. 

And even the castle is "entitled" to her because she is the descendant of Aniko Corvin. 

"I never thought that the castle was in the bunch I am receiving," Jerlina asked with a sigh.

"Yes," Gordon smiled brightly. It seemed like he still hasn't come up with a possible excuse in the past half an hour that took for the lawyer to carefully read the bunch of papers. 

"But…" Gordon pointed his finger at Jerlina. "You are entitled to your late great-grandmother's inheritance, Lady Jerlina."

Jerlina stared at Gordon for a whole minute. She weighed in her chances of success in refusing the castle. There was none. 

And if he puts it as her great-grandmother's inheritance, she cannot refuse it, can she? It would be impolite.

"Do you have a picture of this castle?" she asked. 

She knew castles require a lot of money for maintenance. In that case, she could use some of her money to restore the castle.

Gordon showed her the pictures readily. And Jerlina saw the resplendent Castle that sat on top of a hill, facing a big lake, and got mesmerized. 

And the interiors… All restored and fully furnished. 

I should have known! Why would Jonathan Erling give me an unrestored castle?

Am I a Princess or am I a Princess?

"Okay," Jerlina shrugged and accepted it. Gordon was surprised that she is not resisting a bit. But he couldn't contain his smile. 

"I won't visit great-grandpa and instead will be staying in the castle," Jerlina smiled evilly.

Gordon's smile froze. 

"I'll sign," Jerlina shrugged and started signing.  Gordon froze not knowing what to do.

Should he be happy that Jerlina accepted the castle or should he be sad that she won't visit the grandsire?

"The grandsire wished to spend his last days in the castle," Gordon said after a long time. 

"Oh? Then he can stay there as much as he wants. And I can visit him too," Jerlina smiled.

She was just lying to Gordon that she won't visit her great grandfather. He should stop giving her expensive gifts like these.

The "yacht" he gave as their wedding present, was a 300 feet long, three-storied mini-ship! It had a boat inside for some reason. She could never understand how the rich spend money for the sake of spending it. She found it hard to get accustomed to that life.

Before bringing Gordon to their home, Jerlina decided to buy some gifts for everyone. She brought Gordon to a famous boutique that rich people frequent. 

She wanted to buy something shiny for her great-grandfather. He really is like a dragon who hoards gold.

"Jer?" That familiar voice made her cringe.

Emma?

And she is not alone?