The Weight Of Legacy

The estate of the Voss family sat like a crown on the hills of the Swiss countryside, just outside Geneva.

Ancient stone walls, manicured gardens that stretched for acres, and a main mansion that had housed generations of bankers and industrialists.

Theodore Voss stood at the tall windows of his study on the second floor, a crystal tumbler of whiskey in his hand. At twenty-eight, he was the eldest son and the one who had taken the full weight of the family empire when their father stepped back.

Broad-shouldered, with sharp jawline, dark hair that fell just enough to look effortlessly styled, and piercing grey eyes that could freeze a room. Women had once thrown themselves at him. Now they ran.....

He downed the rest of the whiskey.

"Fúck , this is ridiculous" Theodre said

Another rejection letter sat on his desk from the daughter of a French viscount. Polite, cold, final. "Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Voss."

His temper. The way deals sometimes ended with shattered glass and raised voices. The rumors that he was impossible to live with.

He needed an heir. The family lawyers had been clear....a wife. Children. Stability on paper, even if the reality was colder.

A soft knock at the door.

"Come in." Theodre said

His mother, Eleanor Voss, swept in wearing pearls even at this hour. "The new maid's daughter is helping in the east wing again. I told Maria to keep her out of sight, but the girl insisted on working for extra money. Pathetic, really."

Theodore's jaw tightened. "Let her work. We pay enough."

Eleanor sniffed. "Low-class. Pretty enough face, I suppose, but that background… Anyway, the Harringtons are coming for dinner next week. Their youngest is still single."

He didn't answer. His mother left with a sigh

Theodore stepped out onto the long gallery that overlooked the inner courtyard. Below, staff moved quietly. And there, near the fountain, a young woman was polishing the iron railings with careful movements.

Valentina.

Nineteen. The daughter of their long-time housekeeper Maria. She wore a simple white blouse and dark skirt that did nothing to hide the soft curves of her body, full breasts, narrow waist, hips that swayed as she worked. Long dark hair tied back in a loose braid, porcelain skin flushed from effort, and wide, expressive hazel eyes that always seemed a little afraid of the world. She was strikingly beautiful in a way that felt untouched by the cruelty around her.

Theodore's grip on the railing tightened.

He had seen her before, of course,quiet, always reading thick books in the servants' quarters when she thought no one noticed. Intelligent. Soft-spoken. Kind even to the gardeners.

And desperate. Her mother's medical bills had been mounting; that was why the girl had started taking extra shifts around the estate.

She could give him heirs. Healthy, strong ones. And she was already here. No long courtship. No games.

His temper had cost him every suitable match. This one wouldn't dare talk back. Not at first.

He descended the stairs.

Valentina felt his presence before she saw him. The air grew heavier. She turned, cloth still in hand, and her eyes widened.

"Mr. Voss," she whispered, lowering her gaze immediately. Her voice was gentle, melodic, with the faintest accent from her mother's Italian roots. "I'm sorry if I'm in the way. I'll finish quickly."

Up close she was even more breathtaking,long lashes, full lips, the way her blouse clung slightly from the light sweat of work.

"You're Valentina, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"How much are they paying you for these extra hours?"

She hesitated, cheeks turning pink. "Enough to help Mama. Thank you for allowing it."

He was silent for a long moment, grey eyes unreadable. Then, blunt as a blade

"I have a proposition for you."

Valentina looked up, confused and already anxious. "A… proposition, sir?"

"Marry me."

The cloth slipped from her fingers and clattered against the stone.

Theodore continued, voice low and commanding, as if discussing a business merger. "You're beautiful. Educated, from what I hear. Young. You can give me children. In return, your mother's debts disappear. You'll never work like this again. You'll live here as my wife."

Valentina's breath caught. Her hands started trembling. "You… you're joking, Mr. Voss. This isn't… I can't.."

"I don't joke." His tone sharpened, that famous temper flickering just beneath the surface. "Think carefully. Your family has nothing. I can give you everything."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. She looked terrified, cornered, and heartbreakingly soft.

"I… I need to speak to my mother," she managed, voice barely above a whisper.

Theodore gave a single nod. "You have until tomorrow evening. After that, I'll find another solution."

He turned and walked away, muscular frame tense under the tailored shirt. Part of him already knew she would say yes. Desperation had a way of making decisions for people.

Upstairs, in the west wing where the younger family members stayed, Austin Voss lounged on a leather couch, phone in hand.

Twenty-two, just as tall and built as his brother but with a slightly more playful edge to his cold handsomeness,messy dark hair, sharp cheekbones, and a smirk that got him out of trouble. He was texting his friends.

"Bet still on. Sophie's basically mine already. Three months and that McLaren is gonna look sick in the garage." Austin smirked

He chuckled, then heard footsteps. Valentina passed by the open door carrying cleaning supplies, face pale, eyes distant.

"Hey, Val," Austin called, voice gentler than most ever heard from him. "You okay? You look like you saw a ghost."

She forced a small, trembling smile. "I'm fine, Austin. Thank you."

He watched her go, frowning slightly. She was the only person in this house who never seemed to want anything from them. Like a little sister he never asked for but didn't mind having around.

Austin shook his head and went back to his phone. Sophie's latest message popped up,heart emojis and excitement about their upcoming "date."

He smirked. The wooing phase was going well.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***