I may be the Sinclair family’s only heir, but I’m not the son my father wanted. Everyone whispers that the three foster sons my father picked out for me are the true heirs. Strangely, none of them have ever given me so much as a second glance.>>
Time and again I’d attempted to charm Grant Lennox, each overture repaid with that familiar icy disdain.
For a long time, I thought this was simply how he treated all women–until the day I saw him kneel before Cassidy Everly, the chauffeur’s daughter, and vow, “I only agreed to marry her to repay the Sinclair family’s kindness. When I become the one in charge, I’ll make sure you’re welcomed with fanfare. As long as Ileana Sinclair doesn’t hurt you, I’ll give her a few million and send her off to enjoy herself abroad. You’re the only woman I truly love.”}
The day before the board meeting, my father asked me to choose.
The memory of their evasive eyes flashed through my mind. “Since I’m still the Sinclair heir,” I said sweetly, “let’s make this marriage. profitable. Fleming Donovan it is.“}
My father frowned. “Fleming’s been paralyzed from the waist down since his car accident five years ago. He’s not only lost the use of his legs, but he’s… unable to fulfill a husband’s duties. Are you sure?”
My voice was gentle but unwavering. “People like us don’t marry for love. If it’s all about interests anyway, I should choose the most powerful ally–the Donovan family.”
Father’s face was grave. “That may be true, but of the three foster sons I raised for you, is there not a single one you care for?“>
My father loved my mother deeply, but she died of a brain hemorrhage the year I was born. He could never bring himself to remarry, yet couldn’t bear the thought of leaving the Sinclair legacy in the hands of a woman alone.
On the advice of a close friend, he adopted three orphan boys. He wrote his will early: whichever one I chose, he would help me control the company and keep the other shareholders in check.
My father loves me, but that doesn’t mean he believes a woman can handle the vast Sinclair Group on her own.
Nooked at him and said, “Fleming may be paralyzed and unable to have children the usual way, but we can have a child through IVF. More importantly, he’s the sole heir to the Donovan family. Rather than relying on orphans to support the Sinclairs, wouldn’t it be wiser to join forces with a powerful ally?”
He nodded. “If none of those three could win your heart, then there’s no reason to keep them in the Sinclair Group.“}
If I’d said it was simply because Grant didn’t love me and I didn’t want to force things, my father would’ve made Grant kneel at my feet and demand what right a foster son had to refuse me.
But I never wanted my father to use years of gratitude to coerce Grant, in a loveless marriage with him.
or
force him to marry me. I certainly didn’t want to end up trapped
Besides, the words Grant spoke had already chilled my heart completely.” A clean break is the kindest thing I can offer.}
འ འ འ
As I stepped out of the office, my father glanced sideways at Grant.”
After dutifully escorting my fathe
out, Grant turned to me with a scowl. “So, what did you tell him this time?”
His eyes brimmed with resentment and impatience, as if I’d just committed some unforgivable crime. Before I could answer, Carver Monroe let out a derisive laugh. “What else? The same old complaints.”
“Probably whining that the three of us don’t include her or treat her like a princess.“!
Decker snorted. “Seriously? Wake up, princess. This ain’t Downton Abbey. Your trust fund doesn’t mean we’re all lining up to kiss your ring.”
The three of them were united, their sharp words cutting into me.
I couldn’t understand. “If none of you want to marry me, why haven’t any of you told my father?”
He may have raised thern to be my future husbands, but my father would never force the issue. If any of them said the word, he’d cut them a check and send them off to enjoy their lives abroad, no questions asked.§
