Dropping the Act
Everyone knows that the younger daughter of the Youngblood family, Elena Youngblood, is gorgeous and obedient.
During a banquet, someone compliments Elena. "You're cute. How about you go on a date with me?"
She smiles. "I'm sorry, but my family is very strict with me. I'm not allowed to date anyone."
Then, she turns and clings to Nicholas Montgomery, saying cutely, "Honey, someone asked me out on a date."
He snakes an arm around her waist and snarls dangerously, "You're not allowed to put on your good-girl act in front of anyone else."
"Okay."
She wears a red dress and dons a mask as she melts into the crowd on the dance floor. Her body moves so gracefully that more men covet her.
Nicholas is overcome with jealousy. He hoists her over his shoulder and storms off with everyone watching. "She's taken by me, Nicholas Montgomery!"
…
Everyone says that Elena is an overprotected princess who's unworthy of Nicholas.
To prove them wrong, she chisels a sculpture as everyone watches. The masterpiece she produces fetches a price so high that it's unbelievable.
Nicholas holds a bunch of things that no one else can have. "These are wedding gifts from my wife!"
…
During her adoptive father's birthday celebration, Elena carves a devil sculpture in her adoptive sister's name and presents it as a gift.
The guests are frightened, and her adoptive sister gets the beating of a lifetime.
Nicholas wraps an arm around Elena and acts like he doesn't see anything. "How considerate of you, honey. You carved a devil sculpture to come take his life."