Rich Man’s Daughter Defies Her Father by Vowing to Marry the First Man She Meets, but Regrets It When She Sees Who It Is
Here’s your rewritten story with the same meaning but using synonyms and a different sentence structure:
Elizabeth’s father was set on marrying her off to one of his wealthy selections, but none of them felt like the right choice for her. Exasperated, she blurted out that she would rather marry the very first man she encountered. However, when a stranger appeared soon after, she instantly regretted her impulsive words, realizing how reckless she had been.
She stood inside the lavish, dazzling estate, where the soft clinking of champagne glasses blended with the low hum of casual chatter.
The grand hall was packed with well-dressed men and women, their smiles carefully rehearsed and their laughter lacking sincerity. The artificial nature of it all made her stomach twist. These people, with their flawless exteriors and empty words, embodied everything she detested.
Her father, Richard, belonged there effortlessly, always composed, always in control. She observed him, wondering how they could be so different.
Her mind wandered back to her childhood—carefree days spent running barefoot through the gardens, playing with the gardener’s son instead of sitting stiffly in gowns and jewelry. She let out a deep sigh. Just then, Richard approached, bringing a man alongside him.
“Elizabeth, my dear,” Richard greeted, stepping forward with a pleased expression. “I found someone to keep you company. You seemed uninterested in the crowd.” He gestured toward the tall, finely dressed man standing beside him.
Elizabeth forced a courteous smile and extended her hand. “Nice to meet you,” she said, expecting a handshake. Instead, the man lifted her hand and kissed it. A wave of discomfort swept over her, and she quickly withdrew her hand, concealing her displeasure.
“This is Tom,” Richard announced with pride. “He owns a large corporation. I believe you two would make a wonderful match.”
Elizabeth blinked, unsure if she had misheard. “Excuse me?” she asked, shifting her gaze between Tom and her father.
Ignoring her reaction, Richard turned to Tom and nodded politely before guiding Elizabeth a few steps away. Lowering his voice but keeping his tone firm, he said, “I’ve told you before. If you want your inheritance, you must marry. I’m getting older, and I want grandchildren.”
Elizabeth’s pulse quickened. “Marriage? I’m only twenty-three! And he’s what—forty?”
Richard let out a slow breath, maintaining his composure. “Stop being dramatic. Tom is a fine gentleman, and he’s only thirty-six.”
Elizabeth shook her head in disbelief. “A fine gentleman? His company was sued for polluting the air!”
Richard gave a dismissive shrug. “Nobody is perfect.”
Elizabeth’s eyes darkened with frustration. “I’d rather marry the first man I see than any of your choices.”
Richard smirked. “I’d love to see you follow through on that.”
“Then watch me,” Elizabeth shot back, turning on her heel and storming outside, her father trailing behind.
She rushed through the estate gates, her heart pounding as the crisp night air cooled her face. She could still hear her father’s measured footsteps not far behind.
She had no destination in mind—she only knew she couldn’t stay. As she hurried down the path, she noticed a figure ahead—a young man close to her own age. His clothing was worn from use, his shoes scuffed with dirt, and his hands rough from hard labor.
Of course. This was her luck—the very first man she encountered after making that bold declaration. “Fantastic,” she thought. “Father is going to be thrilled.”
Without hesitation, she turned toward the man and grasped his arm. “Just go along with this,” she murmured, pulling him closer as if they were already together.
The man raised an eyebrow, startled. “What exactly are you doing?” he asked, his voice laced with confusion.
Elizabeth tightened her grip and whispered urgently, “No time to explain. I’ll fill you in later.” Then, turning toward her father, she spoke loudly, “Well, Father, allow me to introduce my future husband…” She hesitated, realizing she didn’t know his name.
“Scott,” the man supplied, still looking perplexed but willing to play along.
“…Scott,” Elizabeth repeated with forced confidence.
Richard took a step closer, his lips curling into a smug grin. “My congratulations to the happy couple,” he said, sarcasm dripping from every word. Leaning in so only she could hear, he added, “You won’t last two days with this disaster,” before casually strolling back toward the mansion.
Elizabeth exhaled, finally releasing the breath she had been holding. Turning back to Scott, she suddenly grasped the gravity of what she had just done.
“Please tell me you’re not homeless,” she said, almost pleading.
Scott raised an eyebrow. “No, I have a job. I’m a gardener. But what exactly is happening here?”
Elizabeth rubbed her temples, letting out a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank goodness. It’s… a long story.” She glanced around, needing a place to sit and think. “Is there anywhere nearby we can talk?”
Scott nodded. “There’s a small bar down the road.”
“Perfect,” she replied, kicking off her heels for comfort.
The walk was mostly silent, and they arrived at the bar within minutes. Finding a quiet corner table, they sat down.
Scott leaned forward, curiosity evident in his expression. “Alright. Now will you explain?”
Elizabeth met his gaze and took a deep breath. “My father won’t grant me my inheritance unless I get married. He’s been setting me up with wealthy men, but they’re all decades older than me.”
Scott chuckled. “Does he realize we don’t live in medieval times?”
For the first time that night, Elizabeth smiled. “I don’t think anyone’s told him that. But with that money, I can finally do what I’ve always dreamed of.”
Scott tilted his head. “And that is?”
“Restoring old buildings,” she answered, her eyes lighting up.
“A meaningful ambition,” Scott noted. “But where do I come in?”
Elizabeth held his gaze. “I need you to marry me.”
Scott blinked. “Come again?”
“I swore I’d marry the first man I saw. That turned out to be you,” she said. “And, thankfully, you’re not homeless.”
Scott hesitated. “I might be soon.”
Elizabeth’s stomach dropped. “You need money? I can pay you once my inheritance is released.”
Scott nodded slowly. “I need financial help, but I’m not for sale.”
“Damn,” Elizabeth muttered, burying her face in her hands. “Now I have no idea what to do.”
After a pause, she studied him more closely. Something about him seemed oddly familiar—his eyes, his voice. “Wait… do I know you?”
Scott smirked. “Didn’t think a princess like you would recognize me so fast.”
Elizabeth frowned, still searching her memory. “I can’t place it.”
Scott leaned back. “I’m the gardener’s son. I used to work for your father.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s it!” A moment of silence passed before she asked, “What would it take for you to agree to this?”
Scott’s expression turned serious. “My father is in debt. We’ll lose our home if we don’t pay. I need the money, but I don’t want to sell myself.” He sighed. “Then again, maybe I have no other choice.”
Elizabeth gave him a soft smile. “Think of it as helping an old friend.” She extended her hand.
Scott hesitated before shaking it. “Deal.”
As their wedding approached, they spent more time together. She helped him shop for new clothes and even dragged him to a barber. In return, Scott taught her about plants, explaining how each flower had specific needs.
The closer the wedding came, the heavier Elizabeth’s heart felt. She realized she was falling for Scott, and their arrangement no longer felt like a scheme.
The night before the wedding, she went to his house, determined to tell him. But she froze at the door.
Inside, her father was speaking to Scott. “I’ll give you $250,000 to cancel this wedding.”
Elizabeth’s heart pounded as she watched Scott take the envelope.
Devastated, she ran. But Scott caught up to her, breathless.
“I can’t believe you,” she said, her voice shaking. “You took the money.”
Scott held out the envelope. “This isn’t for me. It’s for you.”
Elizabeth stared. “Then what about your father’s debts?”
Scott shook his head. “We don’t have to pay for our parents’ mistakes. I just want you to marry for love.”
Elizabeth smiled through her tears. “Then you’ll have to marry me.”
Scott’s stunned silence melted into a grin. “Is that a yes?”
She nodded. Then he kissed her, sealing their promise.
