Fifty... a Noble Old Man in His Fifties?!

Olivia felt the words tumbling from her plump aunt Vinose’s mouth were utterly surreal. Yet after saying that, Vinose still gazed at her with a smug grin. Was she... showing off her own charm?

The Bluehaired Loli sank into thought. Seriously, did this chubby woman have zero self-awareness about her looks? Boasting about being admired by a fifty-something old man?!

Ah... no. Olivia realized this wasn’t even the most ridiculous part. The wildest thing was... that noble lord in his fifties actually found her attractive?

How? In looks, even a pig from the livestock shed would outshine her. In wealth, the Lolos family was collapsing under her "wise" leadership. In personality, she was sharp-tongued and petty. In life experience, she even had a kid...

She had nothing going for her! Did the old man have some weird fetish? Maybe he liked... exaggerated figures?

Uh... Olivia couldn’t grasp it. Sure, he was old, but his taste couldn’t be this abstract, right? Besides, didn’t men stay boys at heart—craving eighteen-year-olds no matter their age?

Made sense. In her past life, Olivia was a guy too. She’d felt the same...

Uh... never mind.

Unable to comprehend, Olivia shook her head. She eyed her smug aunt and asked tentatively, "So... you’ve found a new husband?"

Seeing Olivia’s serious tone, Aunt Vinose instantly flushed red. She ground her teeth, slammed the table, and yelled, "You little brat! Joking about your aunt? Damn it—that noble old man came to propose to you, Olivia, not me!"

"Huh? Me... me?!"

Olivia frowned slightly, staring at her aunt in disbelief. Now she finally got that smug look. It was like a scammer greeting you at the airport, a granny faking an accident in front of your car, or Caius slapping Mermel’s butt right in front of Gawain... All were sinister smiles hiding daggers, the triumphant smirk after a scheme succeeded. It sent a chill down her spine.

No wonder she’d acted all kind and elder-like earlier. She’d planned to sweet-talk Olivia into marrying fast.

Naturally, Olivia’s face darkened. "You didn’t agree for me, did you?"

"This... sister-in-law! How have I not heard about this?!" Fufu finally snapped, unable to stay silent over her daughter’s future. But facing their accusations, Vinose just blinked calmly, waved a hand, and sneered, "Sister-in-law, you were out on business. I couldn’t tell you~ After all... that old man first wanted to propose to you. He saw you—a blue-haired seductress—walking outside, got bewitched on the spot, and insisted on marrying you. Sigh~"

After needling Fufu, Vinose turned to Olivia with a light smile. "What could I do? I told him my sister-in-law’s a chaste woman with no remarriage plans. But she has a daughter just of age—her spitting image, graceful and younger. The nobleman got even happier, demanding a proposal. I thought: he’s a big noble. Little An marrying as a concubine isn’t a loss; it’s an upgrade. So... I agreed~ How’s that, Little An? Auntie’s good to you, right?"

Vinose pulled a contract from her pocket and slapped it on the table. Olivia glanced grimly. Party B clearly read "Olivia," with the date set for... next Sunday.

The Bluehaired Loli snorted coldly. She turned to Vinose and stated flatly, "I didn’t sign this. I’m not playing house. If you want to marry some noble old man as a little wife, go ahead. I’m not marrying."

"Tsk... what’s that mean, Little An? He’s a big noble! You’ll join a noble house. For a merchant’s daughter like you, it’s a huge step up—endless riches, estates. Why act like Auntie’s tricking you? Besides, he’s over fifty. He’ll live twenty years max. Just endure it."

Vinose kept up the act: "I’m doing this for your good! How ungrateful!" But her fat face’s smug grin betrayed her delight in ruining Olivia’s future.

The Bluehaired Loli snorted again, shook her head, and retorted bluntly, "As if he dying would drop gold coins for me. Would it even reach me? ‘Endure it’? Easy for you. Twenty years burns my youth! How can you say that? So—no school means marrying that noble uncle next week?"

"Well... heh, sigh. Good intentions mistaken for malice. Think what you want. You know our situation. Your brother advances to elementary school next year—tuition’s rising. If you keep schooling, what about him? He’s a boy... And I’ve raised you years. Time to contribute."

Vinose reached out, stroking George beside her. She always doted on him—likely the only person she truly cherished. Olivia didn’t deny maternal love. But it couldn’t excuse sacrificing others.

Seeing the Bluehaired Loli slowly clench her fists, Vinose turned, eyes gleaming like she’d already won. "Sigh, no choice, Olivia. If you back out, the contract says: call off the wedding or divorce later, and you pay massive compensation. An astronomical sum for you. Plus, next year’s graduation tuition? Huge. The family’s broke. Don’t expect a single cent from us for either."