Chapter 4

When I stepped forward to take the bracelet from Rachel, I didn't expect Aaron to slap me across the face.

“Sabrina! I didn’t think you’d stoop so low as to slander Rachel just to stop me from being with her!

“I’ll make this clear once and for all. That bracelet was a gift from me to Rachel!”

I touched my cheek that was now red and swollen. I was getting angry.

Aaron clearly saw Grandma giving it to me.

Now, he dared twist the truth and even lay hands on me, all for Rachel?

“Aaron, how dare you hit me?”

I had never truly been angry at him before. Seeing my reaction, he hesitated and seemingly wanted to explain himself.

But Rachel burst into tears as she gently removed the bracelet and handed it to me.

“Sabrina, if you like it so much, you can have it. I don't mind. Just don’t fight with Aaron over this, okay?”

She pretended to give it to me willingly, but as soon as it touched my hand, she let go on purpose.

The bracelet dropped and shattered on the ground.

I was furious and raised my hand to slap her, but before I could, Aaron shoved me hard.

“Don’t you dare hurt Rachel again!

“You look like a lunatic right now!”

I stumbled backward from the force of his push and fell to the ground.

Rachel clung to Aaron. A triumphant smile appeared on her face.

Aaron instinctively reached out to help me up, but Rachel quickly grabbed his hand.

“Aaron, I think I twisted my ankle.”

Aaron immediately picked her up. He looked worried.

“Rachel, are you okay? I’ll take you somewhere to rest.”

The spoiled brats nearby, drawn by the commotion, began whispering and pointing at me.

“The Saddler family's heiress is fighting over a man with her illegitimate sister. What a disgrace. To think they’re the most prestigious of the four major families. Turns out she isn't any better than the rest of us.”

Aaron looked at me grimly.

“Sabrina, look at the mess you’ve made! You owe Rachel an apology! With such a display of jealousy, you’ll never be worthy of marrying me!”

He stepped closer and towered over me.

“I heard Old Mr. Sullivan is announcing who Ethan will be engaged to today. Sabrina, besides me, who else would possibly marry you?

“When you get home, talk to Old Mr. Saddler. You are to marry into the Johansen family without receiving anything from us.

“But you’d better bring a dowry with you!

“Otherwise, you'll be sorry for what happened today!”

I stared at him in disbelief. Although I already knew what kind of man he truly was, I was still stunned by how shameless he could be.

Seeing I didn’t respond, he assumed I was agreeing to his requests.

He smugly added, “Fine, I’ll bring something to your doorstep, but the Saddler family needs to give me 15 percent of their shares.”

His proud, arrogant expression made it obvious he thought the Saddler family had no choice but to marry me into the Johansen family.

I tried to get up, but pain shot through my ankle. I must have twisted it.

The crowd just stood by and watched.

Suddenly, an angry voice cut through the noise.

“What’s going on here?”

Everyone turned.

Ethan and Timothy were walking toward us.

Ethan quickly came to my side and helped me up. His eyes were full of concern after he saw my soiled dress.

“Are you okay?”

“I think I sprained my ankle,” I murmured while leaning against him.

Ethan immediately wrapped his arm around my waist to lift me up.

Aaron frowned.

“Sabrina, I thought you were just jealous, but now you’re getting handsy with another man? There's no way I'd marry you unless you give me 20 percent of your family's shares in the business."

Gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd.

“The Saddler family's heiress is supposed to be engaged to Mr. Johansen. Why is she clinging to someone else?”

The chatter didn’t last long.

Timothy's authoritative voice soon silenced the crowd.

“What’s wrong with my grandson holding his future wife?”