Chapter 3

I leaned against the wall with a sneer as I pondered something.

What price would Vincent Holt, the man they called “the Devil,” exact when he learned his wedding gifts had been stolen?

My father returned home in the evening after failing to glean any information from the Holt family. He paced the living room with his phone clenched tightly in his hand.

He wanted this alliance desperately, yet the stories of Vincent’s ruthlessness slithered through his mind like poison. What if he ended up crossing him?

Then, suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, as if something had just occurred to him.

“Didn’t the Holt family say they were sending over some wedding gifts? Why aren’t they here yet?”

I shook my head. “No idea.”

A wave of relief washed over his face. “That’s actually a good thing. Maybe they’ve changed their minds. Families like ours were never meant to reach that high. Maybe it was a misunderstanding.”

Muttering to himself, he suddenly turned and fixed his sharp gaze on me.

“In that case, you’ll do as you’re told and marry Cole.”

My face hardened. “Am I even your real daughter? Why are you so determined to marry me off to that cheating trash?”

“If it weren’t for the Brody family supporting us all these years, the company would’ve gone under a long time ago. Cole wanting to marry you is a blessing you don’t deserve. Who do you think you are that you get to be so picky?”

“So, in your eyes, I’m just a bargaining chip to win over the powerful?”

That hit a nerve. He flushed with anger and yelled, “Enough! You know nothing! Why do you think I’m humbling myself in front of the Brody family? I’m doing it for our family!”

“If you really respect the Brody family that much, why haven’t you told Cole that I caught Vincent’s eye?” I scoffed.

My father’s face twisted further in rage. He raised his hand to strike me.

“You ungrateful girl! Do you want to destroy this family?”

The door suddenly swung open. My father’s hand stopped midair.

Lulu walked arm-in-arm with Cole. Her diamond bracelet glinted under the light as she held up her wrist and said in a sweet, chirpy voice, “Daddy, do you like my new jewelry?”

I recognized it immediately. It was picked straight from Vincent’s wedding gifts.

My father’s anger vanished in a flash. “Gorgeous! You look beautiful in anything, honey!”

His face was practically glowing. He was clearly thrilled by Cole’s generosity. Cole’s generosity meant the Theroux family’s coffers would stay full.

I stood at the side with arms crossed and watched in silence. Then, Cole turned to me and held out a plastic beaded bracelet.

“Lulu picked this out for you when we were shopping today. You will wear it at the wedding.”

Lulu added with a hypocritical smile, “I hope you like it, sis! It’s not expensive, but it comes from the heart.”

Things like these did not faze me anymore.

When Lulu wanted something, my father and Cole would bend over backwards to get it for her.

Whatever she did not want always ended up with me.

Once, I would have made a scene and accused them of playing favorites, but not anymore.

I calmly took the bracelet and looked Cole in the eye. “As you wish.”

I let them think I had surrendered.

Even if marrying into the Holt family turned out to be a torment, I would make sure they tasted the flames first.

Seeing my reaction, my father assumed I had finally agreed to marry Cole. He brightened up at once. “See? Isn’t it better when you behave? After you marry Cole, you can help take care of Lulu and the baby. I’ll finally have some peace then.”

Lulu’s eyes welled up with tears. “I won’t upset you again, Bethany! I just hope you will accept me and the baby.”

Cole’s arm tightened protectively around her waist.

“Lulu has been having terrible morning sickness lately. I’m taking her to the villa on the outskirts. It’s quieter there and is far better for her pregnancy.”

Before leaving, he shot me a warning glance.

“No more games. Just focus on getting ready for the wedding.”

I did not respond.

After they left, my father’s face darkened again.

“No matter how nice Cole is to Lulu, he’s only doing it to repay her kindness. So, stop throwing tantrums and acting out. Lulu is carrying his child, and you’re going to marry him like you always wanted. Both of you will have the Brody family’s protection. That’s more than most people could ever hope for. Be grateful!”