Chapter 4: The Engagement She Rejected

"Lord Cromwell, I believe you're putting Lady Mira under too much stress. You should take it easy on my lady."

Mira's entire body quivered at the sound of that voice, and she slowly turned towards the man who had spoken, her expression changing the moment she caught sight of him.

He had a handsome, well-chiselled face, deep blue eyes, and blue hair that complemented his tall, well-sculpted frame, which was concealed beneath a carefully tailored dark suit. Everything about his appearance seemed familiar, from the confident way he carried himself to the composed expression that made him appear like a gentleman worthy of respect.

"Leono Stone..." she whispered, drawing in a sharp breath as the heat of her anger spread through her body.

This was the man she hated more than anyone else, the man who had made her previous life miserable and treated her as nothing more than a possession he could use whenever he pleased. The memories of what she had endured because of him came rushing back, and for a moment, she struggled to keep the hatred from showing on her face.

Tonight was the night she had been promised to him, the beginning of a life she had once been powerless to escape.

'What should I do? Should I stand with my dangerous father or allow myself to fall into the hands of my devilish husband again?'

Her fingers curled at her sides as she considered the two choices, but the answer came to her before she could entertain either possibility.

'Neither. Men in this world are scum. I didn't come back to this world just to depend on men again.'

Mira lifted her head, and this time, she stared directly into Leono's eyes, refusing to lower her gaze or offer him the respect she had once been taught to give him.

"This is the Cromwell family's affair. Who gave you the right to interfere?" she asked.

The pleasant expression on Leono's face faltered, and a flicker of displeasure crossed his features before he managed to regain his composure.

"I'm the son-in-law of the Cromwell family. After tonight, we will be officially engaged," he replied, speaking as though the matter had already been settled and her opinion could make no difference.

"You should wait until after tonight before declaring yourself my future husband. Besides, who gave you the assurance that I'm going to accept this engagement?" Mira asked, her voice steady as she watched the confident expression on his face begin to crack.

Gasps travelled throughout the banquet hall as the guests exchanged shocked glances, unable to believe that Mira Cromwell, who had always been known as an obedient young lady, would openly challenge her intended husband in front of both families.

"Lord Cromwell, I deserve an explanation for this," Leono demanded, turning towards Mira's father as though expecting him to restore order and put an end to the embarrassment.

"There's no explanation."

Mira did not even bother to look at her father's face before continuing, her eyes fixed on the man who had once made her life a living hell.

"I'm rejecting this engagement. I don't want to have anything to do with this pedophile."