Chapter 1 The Engagement Is Off

I looked at Landon Rivers, who was grimacing in pain, and drawled calmly, "I paid two million dollars to have a famous 3D pavement artist create this. It was supposed to give the place some class."

Landon glared at me resentfully. A moment later, he seemed to make up his mind.

Sure enough, he started yowling at the top of his lungs. "Louis, I know you don't want me at the engagement party, but you can't push me because of it!"

A woman in a white evening gown rushed in just as those words fell from his lips. It was Julianne Brooks, a prominent heiress in Kingsbridge's high society.

I frowned, wondering what she was doing here.

Julianne immediately helped Landon to his feet. Then, she turned on me, hissing, "Landon's always been in poor health, but you pushed him anyway? How could you be so heartless?"

Landon shot me a smug look, but his voice was meek and pitiful when he spoke. "Julianne, don't blame Louis. He just loves you too much. He's afraid I'll take you away from him…"

Julianne glared at me with disgust. "Louis, Landon is the one I've always loved. I never would've spared you a second glance if Grandpa hadn't forced me into this!"

Landon gazed at her adoringly.

I couldn't help but scrunch my nose in distaste. Apparently, those two had taken those ridiculous billionaire-romance novels way too seriously. They'd read so many of them that they'd forgotten how the real world works.

I was about to speak when our parents bulldozed over.

Joanna Paige raised her hand and went straight for my face. "You're nothing but a jinx! The Rivers family raised you for years, and this is how you repay us? By bullying Landon?"

I caught Joanna's hand in midair and promptly shoved it away, sending her staggering away.

Joanna shook with anger. "Are you out of your mind? How dare you push me!" she screeched.

I ignored her and turned to Julianne with a mocking smile. "You never would've given me a second look, you say?"

Julianne snorted. "A vicious man like you doesn't deserve to marry into the Brooks family! Landon is the man I'm going to marry!"

I chuckled softly, far too amused for my own good. "Fine."

I pulled out the engagement contract we hadn't gotten around to exchanging and tore it to pieces in front of everyone.

"Julianne, our engagement is canceled."

Julianne froze for a moment, clearly not expecting me to do it so decisively.

After all, she'd been told repeatedly by everyone that marrying the Brooks family's heiress was the dream of every young man in Kingsbridge's high society.

Sadly for her, I was different. I was the man George Brooks had personally handpicked to marry his granddaughter.

"You think this little act of yours is going to work on me?" Julianne gritted her teeth as she snarled. "I'm not going to change my mind even if you tear up the contract!"

I looked at her as if she were an idiot.

"Can you even understand the human language? I said I was canceling the engagement, and I meant exactly that. Now that the engagement is off, let's settle a few other things."

I snapped my fingers. "Security, escort these people out."

Julianne stared at me in disbelief. "You dare throw me out?"

Logan Rivers roared, "Louis! This is the Rivers family's place. Who do you think you are to give orders here?"

I said calmly, "This place belongs to me, and I paid for the party. Naturally, I have every right to toss you interlopers out.

"As for the Rivers family? If it weren't for me, the Rivers family would've gone bankrupt three years ago. The only reason you're still standing here is because I've been supporting you and your luxurious lifestyle. Now, I don't feel like doing that anymore."