The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1522

Stella looked at him. "However what?"

Joshua explained, "For Marvin Connolly to be taken away by his mother's family, Quincy must have paid a steep price."

Stella asked, "What do you mean?"

"The Gardners tend to die young," Joshua continued, "so as a rule, no one with Gardner blood is ever allowed to be taken from the family. Even so, the birth rate doesn't keep up with the death rate. So, one of the family's main rules is that upon reaching adulthood, every member must preserve their genetic material and select a spouse. They can choose their own partner—there are no requirements regarding social standing—but the person must be in excellent health, exceptionally attractive, and pass the Gardner family's rigorous physical examinations. If a Gardner dies, to prevent their line from ending, in vitro fertilization is performed. If the man had children before his death, it's up to his widow whether she wants to undergo the procedure again."

A faint trace of mockery appeared in Joshua's eyes.

"But most of them are willing. After all, another child means another contender for the position of family head. That's why, despite their short lifespans, the Gardners are numerous. And one of the most basic requirements to even be considered for the position of head of the family is that you must be married. Otherwise, you're not even in the running. Isn't it ironic?"

Stella didn't know which was better: the traditional demand for marriage between social equals or the Gardners' bizarre requirements.

Perhaps for an ordinary person, marrying into the Gardner family was a dream come true.

It was a rare opportunity to transcend social classes. And after their husbands died, the widows could remain with the family and, if they chose, continue to bear Gardner children.

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