<h4>Chapter 243: Chapter 243: Meaningless Things</h4>


    Scarlett Yates heard clearly and looked up at him in disbelief, her eyes wide and round, full of shock, as if she didn’t recognize him.


    "That thing was originally given to you by your grandfather."


    She stared at him, stunned for a few seconds, before stammering, "But, but I’m not your real fiancée."


    "Who says you’re not?"


    Matthew Saxon’s slender eyes shed with a quick gleam, and the corners of his lips curled slightly, "ording to the agreement between the Saxon Family and the Yates Family, you are indeed my real fiancée, even Dad has acknowledged you, how could you not be?"


    "But we also had an agreement." After a moment of silence, Scarlett Yates spoke softly.


    "Hmm, that’s indeed the case."


    Matthew did not deny this point either, "But you don’t have to agree to my proposal. If you don’t, the old man will definitely force me to marry you. By agreeing to help me, you’re forgoing the position of Young Madam Saxon, and ordingly, you’re also giving up many things you originally deserved. In return, I should give you something back as thanks."


    "That golden abacus, let’s consider it as a thank you gift."


    Scarlett Yates felt she should be happy.


    He said he would give her the golden abacus.


    It was something she liked very much, and also something very valuable. As a thank you gift, it was quite generous.


    Yet after the initial surprise, all that remained inside her was an overwhelming gloom.


    It was as if something was blocking her chest, or like dark clouds hovered above, making every breath heavy and oppressive.


    She smiled, but there was no joy in her eyes, and the smile on her lips was faint, "Young Master, you’re too polite. The reason I agreed to the year’s pact isn’t just to help you, it’s also for myself."


    "For yourself?"


    "Yes."


    She answered with certainty, without the slightest hesitation.


    Matthew’s eyes squinted slightly, flickering, but his expression did not change as he smiled lightly, "You really don’t want to marry me? If you do marry me, you’d be the illustrious Young Madam of a powerful family, everyone would respect you, adore you, you’d never worry about food or clothes, and have a husband worthy of admiration. All women would envy you, wouldn’t that be nice?"


    He paused and didn’t wait for her to answer, then continued, "Isn’t this the life women dream of?"


    After hearing this, Scarlett Yates was silent for a moment, then smiled, "Everything Young Master said is indeed what every woman wants."


    "Then why did you agree to the year’s pact?"


    Matthew looked down at her, his expression appearing serious, as if he was joking with her, "If you insist on the Saxon Family fulfilling the marriage contract, even if I’m unwilling, I might eventually have to sumb to the pressure and marry you."


    Scarlett Yates smiled again, gazing into his dark eyes, "I’m not someone with much ambition or aspirations, Young Master, and what you mentioned is indeed tempting, but what I want is just someone who truly loves me, not someone who marries me out of pressure."


    "Love?"


    Matthew’s eyes showed a trace of disdain, and he sneered, "Such a fanciful thing, you believe in it?"


    "I do."


    "Something so meaningless, what good does it do?"


    "For Young Master, it may hold no significance, but for me, it’s something very important. Different paths cannot lead to the same destination, Young Master, I think this is one of the reasons we can’t be husband and wife."