Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

After Élora signed off on the documents, Tinsley spoke up. "Sister, why don't you just get into a relationship? Neither of us has a boyfriend, and people outside are constantly trying to control us through marriage. You don't have to marry anyone just date someone, or even fake it. That'll make them drop the idea." Elora looked up at her sister with a faint smile. "And what's your plan?"

Tinsley shrugged. "I haven't even been in a relationship yet. They just see me as this unfeeling person who's impossible to control. If I were to date someone, they'd think I'm like any other girl-falling in love, planning a future, maybe even getting married. But that would only make them push harder."

Unless her boyfriend was powerful enough to make everyone think twice, with a family strong enough to rival the Ormonds, and he truly loved her without coveting their wealth, she didn't see a way forward.

Power, status, wealth, and integrity-finding a man with all of that was almost impossible.

Elora sighed inwardly. She didn't care for any of the so-called young talents in Annenburg. Every one of them wanted to marry into the Ormond family to advance their own interests. They all had the same ambition-marry her and gain control of the family empire. Marriage, after all, was often about mutual benefit. Elora could accept that, to an extent. But what she couldn't stand were the two-faced ones- those who spoke about mutual benefit while secretly plotting to seize the Ormond family's business.

It didn't help that the Ormond family had too many daughters.

just how society works. For all the talk about gender equality, the reality is still far

had an older or younger brother closer in age, the elders wouldn't have invested so

was overjoyed, calling it a blessing from above, as if the Ormond family

sisters? Weren't they descendants of the

could anyone say the family had

well, but deep down, she knew the elders placed their hopes on her two younger

still young, and she was unmarried, so the elders didn't worry much. But in ten years, they'd likely start involving the boys in the family business,

ventures. She had no intention of monopolizing the family empire. She'd assured the elders repeatedly that once

prospects. The moment she even hinted at liking someone, they'd become overly critical, digging into the man's background, scrutinizing his every move, terrified he'd try to take over the family business. What man would willingly endure being treated like a potential thief by

one reason Elora