Chapter 2

Even though my family moved quickly to suppress the news, someone was pulling strings behind the scenes, and the story spread like wildfire throughout Havenport in an instant.

What was supposed to be a perfectly planned engagement party ended in dismal failure.

Right at this critical moment, Vivian's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vega, arrived at my door bearing expensive gifts.

"Isaac, Vivian didn't know any better, so please be understanding. Besides, it's all Richard's fault for leading her astray!"

"That's right. You can't just call off a marriage contract between our two families over a little tantrum."

The two played off each other perfectly, trying to smooth things over while pinning the whole incident on youthful indiscretion.

I bit my tongue, unable to suppress a bitter laugh from the depths of my heart.

It seemed my family had kept such a low profile for so long that the Vegas actually believed anyone could push us around.

"Be understanding?" I slapped a copy of that contract onto the table, a faint smile creeping onto my lips but never reaching my eyes. "You want me to be understanding while she plays lapdog for another man?

"I'm not fortunate enough to provide for your precious daughter. The marriage contract between our families ends here."

When she saw how determined I was, Mrs. Vega's expression shifted in an instant. She suddenly slammed her hand on the table and said, "Isaac, don't you forget that my grandfather took a bullet for your grandfather back then!

"Without us, where would your family be today? How dare you put on airs with us?"

Her voice was shrill, completely devoid of the kindly demeanor she had just moments ago.

With my elbow resting on the back of the chair, I looked up at the two people baring their teeth at me and suddenly laughed.

"Indeed, what a tremendous debt of gratitude."

The next day, Vivian unexpectedly asked to meet me, claiming she wanted to provide an explanation for what had happened yesterday.

I waited at the street corner from noon until sunset, and only then did she finally show up arm-in-arm with Richard.

"Oh my, Isaac. You didn't actually wait over five hours, did you? I was only speaking offhand. You really still take everything I say to heart, don't you?"

With that, she stepped forward half a pace and took my wrist. "I know you still have feelings for me, and I have intentions toward you too. So, how about reconsidering my suggestion from yesterday?"

She was clearly smiling, but I didn't miss the flicker of mockery in her eyes.

Was I nothing more than a lapdog to her? To be summoned at will and dismissed just as easily?

I deliberately curled my lips into a gentle smile. "It's not entirely out of the question. If you have Richard kneel and apologize to me, I might consider it."

I raised an eyebrow at Richard as I spoke.

When Vivian heard this, her face instantly crumpled. She opened her mouth to argue, but Richard smiled and agreed before she could get a word out.

I was stunned by his immediate agreement when he suddenly pulled a small bell from his pocket and gave it a gentle shake.

"Kneel, my little slave," he commanded Vivian.

My pupils constricted sharply. My first reaction was sheer disbelief. The street was crowded with people, so how could anyone—let alone someone as proud as Vivian—willingly submit to such humiliation?

But in the next instant, with everyone watching, Vivian actually dropped to her knees right there in front of the law firm. She hugged Richard's leg docilely and rubbed her cheek against his pants in a pathetic plea for affection.

Richard laughed arrogantly, his right hand casually resting on top of Vivian's head.

"Mr. Ferguson, are you satisfied with this apology? If you feel it's not enough, I could even have her be your lapdog for a couple of days."

Vivian showed no resistance whatsoever to these words of extreme humiliation. Instead, she shot me a reproachful glare.

"Isaac, if you truly love me, you'll support my choices instead of repeatedly making things difficult for me. I love you as well, which is why I saved myself for you. But I've already signed a contract with my master, so please don't put me in an awkward position."