Chapter 19 She Is the Heiress

Valeria was about to get up, indignant, to complain to Aiden and Isabella, she did not know what she was going to claim, but she would do it anyway.

And at the same moment that she stirred in her seat, her grandmother, Margaret, entered the restaurant, with that stern expression that always accompanied her, which reminded Valeria of all that was at stake.

He couldn't do anything stupid, at least until the announcement was made.

As before, Margaret took her place with the special guests, the Collins and dinner was served.

Everyone ate nervously, many could not even eat, because the future of the family was at stake, all the fortune and the power to order, would be in the hands of someone new and that gave a lot to think about.

After dessert, Margaret got up from her seat and went to the stage, where the band stopped playing to give way to her.

There was a moment of deathly silence, everyone was attentive to the words of the leader of the Sinclair family.

Margaret first congratulated all the guests, for apart from a few small mishaps, the journey had been done wonderfully, and after a few minutes of talking, she cleared her throat.

"Well... As you all know, on this day, the next heir of the Sinclair family will be chosen, one of my grandsons, who will marry one of the heirs of the Collins family..." Everyone waited in silence, it seemed that in the background there was a distant sound of drum roll, or they imagined it.

"And before making the announcement, I want to remind you that my decision will be unanimous, there will be no going back, no one, none of you has the power to refute it, unless the chosen ones reject the marriage, there is nothing you can do..." Well, the next heir, or, rather, heiress, of the Sinclair family, is... my granddaughter, Isabella Sinclair. Margaret pointed to the young woman with an elegant gesture, while Isabella opened her eyes wide.

Valeria was stunned, standing, from her place, because when she heard the word "granddaughter" she assumed it was her and got up.

A bustle was present throughout the room, everyone was murmuring, and it was not exactly good.

Máximo opened his mouth, he wanted to say something, but he didn't know what. As was Isabella, who was in the same discrepancy. Their hearts jumped, a torrent of confusion and surprise approached them, what had just happened?

Aiden looked at Isabella seriously, he hadn't liked what he had heard at all, his cousin, and that man? She looked scared and confused, and it was no wonder.

"What?!" Isabella Sinclair?! A shout was heard echoing through the crowd.

Ricardo's voice was present, the man had risen furious when he witnessed the humiliating moment that his daughter had lived, Valeria was still standing with an expression of horror and tears contained in her eyes.

"That's right... In case you didn't hear it right, I repeat... Isabella Sinclair, the daughter of my late firstborn, Albert Sinclair, is the heiress of the family. Margaret said firmly.

"You're kidding, aren't you?!" Albert was banished from the family! That girl...! Ricardo pointed to Isabella. "She doesn't belong to the family!"

"William was the one who banished Albert, and he is no longer present, now I am the one who orders in the family and for me... Isabella is as Sinclair as anyone present! Margaret refuted authoritatively.

"No!" I disagree! Attention everyone, this is a robbery! Albert was banished and the next in line of succession is me...! Therefore, one of my sons must be the chosen one! Ricardo shouted, turning to the rest of the family.

"What?!" “Hector got up. - My children have the same right as yours! They're Sinclair’s too!

A thunderous argument broke out, the whole family stood up, some supporting Ricardo and others supporting Hector, but no one raised their voices in favor of Isabella, who was still disoriented in her seat.

"Isa?" Isa? Aiden's murmur hung in the air, but the girl was still lost. - Isa?!

"What?"

"Do you agree?"

"What?"

"Grandma said it, if the chosen ones don't agree on this marriage, they can refuse, do you agree?" Aiden insisted.

Overwhelmed, Isabella looked in the direction of Maximo, who was watching her in the distance, frowning.

"No," muttered the young woman, feeling a shiver run through her body, when she saw Maximo's penetrating gaze on her.

"Then refuse." Aiden ordered, with authority. Isabella nodded.

"Yes, I will do that.

She turned in the direction of her grandmother, ready to get up, and noticing Isabella's intention out of the corner of her eye, Margaret turned to her, casting her a voracious warning glance with narrowed eyes.

Margaret nodded her head softly in denial, there was a message hidden there and Isabella understood that it was best to abstain for the moment, so she settled back into the seat and under her face.

"So?" Won't you say anything? Aiden insisted.

"I'll talk to her, but not now. The girl murmured, trying to control the tremors in her body.

Maximo continued to observe Isabella, something inside him had flipped, Emily was talking to him, he could hear the distant murmur, but he could not concentrate, his mind could not focus.

"Maximo, for God's sake!" Say something! Emily said, exasperated.

"What do you want me to say?!" - Maximo growled out of his reverie.

"That you won't marry that filthy woman!" You don't agree! Emily demanded alarmed.

"Enough is enough, Emily!" This is not your business! Máximo slapped his hand on the table, making it tremble.

Emily tensed up immediately, she knew her brother was grumpy, but he hadn't responded like that before.

"Will you marry that homeless woman?" Emily pursed her lips in frustration.

"No," Maximo murmured, turning again to Isabella.

He tried to control his emotions, because his heart was beating wildly and even his hands felt cold, he had never felt so nervous and strange as at that moment.

"Then why don't you say anything?" Emily insisted, more cautiously.

"And what do you want?" What unites me with others in this circus? Maximus growled, tired of his sister's insistence.

They both looked around, the restaurant had turned into complete chaos. The Sinclair’s' shouting and arguing echoed throughout the place, until a loud voice was heard that caught everyone's attention.

"Enough is enough!" Margaret shouted at the top of her lungs, silencing the discussions. - The decision has already been made, I am not interested in your opinions or your displeasure... Máximo and Isabella! Come up here with me.

Maximus got up reluctantly.

After taking a moment to gather courage, Isabella tried to walk to the stage, but stumbled as soon as she left her seat.

Aiden tried to reach her, when an arm appeared in front of the girl to hold her, preventing Isabella from falling.

Isabella raised her eyes, next to her was Maxim Collins, he did not look at her, his expression was harder and colder than usual, but his arm stretched towards her, as a gesture to help her and keep her company.

She felt that her heart would burst, honestly, she could not control the tremors in her body, Maximo was as attractive as he was frightening, would this man become her spouse? "Impossible...", Isabella concluded in her thoughts.

But for the moment she could not say or do anything about it, so, as she could, feeling the palms of her hands sweat, she clung to Maximo's strong arm, to be escorted to the stage, next to her grandmother.

While Aiden watched the scene, angry, well, the boy didn't like Isabella being with that nasty Collins, much less being forced to marry him.

With faces of few friends, everyone saw the moment when Máximo and Isabella appeared on stage as a couple.

From her seat, Valeria felt tears falling from her eyes, by inertia.

"Sinclair family, I present to you, the new couple, who will represent our family and our new allies, the Collins. Margaret announced, pointing to Isabella and Maximo, who watched from above the stage the audience who, with their expressions, showed all the rage and resentment that awaited Maximo and Isabella, if they accepted that marriage.

"Give them a loud applause!" Margaret practically had to order very seriously, in order for the apathetic applause to be heard.

After a quick farewell, Margaret lowered her microphone and turned once again to the couple.

"You..." she whispered near them. "Come with me to my office."

The woman came out, further behind Máximo and Isabella followed her still arm in arm and as she passed, the grunts, complaints and even threats of those present could be heard.

For only a moment, there was calm, silence, and peace, as the three of them entered Margaret's cabin, entered the small office she had prepared, the woman sat behind her desk, and Maximo and Isabella took their places on the other side.

"Very well, Mr. Collins, the heiress has already been chosen, we must arrange her marriage as soon as possible, so that it may take place a few days after she arrives in port."

"No," murmured Maximus. Isabella and Margaret looked at him in surprise. "I won't marry her.