Chapter 5
“As a woman, sooner or later you have to get married. If not even the three childhood sweethearts who know her best want her, who else
would?“Я
I wiped the tears from the comer of my eyes, forced a smile, and raised my wine glass to the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you probably already know that tonight isn’t just my birthday party–it’s also my engagement party.“>
On the enormous projector screen, a cold, striking face appeared.
A collective gasp swept through the room.
“Isn’t that Fleming Donovan from the Capital City Donovans?!”
My father, having just closed a multimillion–dollar deal, caught the moment perfectly, grinning as he took over.
“That’s right. With the sta
my daughter holds, only the most exceptional man would
took them in because they were orphans in need. This ‘childhood fiancé‘ business is pure
worthy of her. As for those three boys, I only
onsense!“}
Even with my father’s explanation, skepticism lingered on the guests‘ faces.}
A few of my father’s closest friends tried to reason with him.§
“Fleming from the Capital City Donovans is brilliant, no question. But after that accident a few years ago…“>
“Exactly. Everyone knows Fleming’s been paralyzed since then. Letting your daughter marry him–he can’t even have children! Who’s going to inherit the Sinclair estate?“}
“We might not think a woman can lead the Sinclair family, but at least she should marry a healthy man, right?“>
Fleming Donovan–some call him the golden boy of the elite, others just say he’s a broken man. Everyone knows his inheritance will eventually fall to someone else.
So then, why couldn’t that someone be me?,
The moment Grant said those words, I realized something: even as the sole heir to the Sinclair family, no one truly believed I’d ever hold its legacy in my own hands.
If that’s the case, why not choose a man powerful enough to shield me, but unable to take the family fortune for himself?
Across town, Grant was comforting Cassidy, who was still shaken. Just then, a message flashed across his phone, making his expression sour instantly.
Get back here! Ileana just announced her fiancé! If you don’t come now,
Decker and Carver received similar messages, all from mutual friends.
you’ll regret it!
Grant reflexively wanted to turn off his phone, to ignore it–but the words kept echoing in his mind. Why would they say he’d regret it? Could it be that Ileana picked Decker or Carver?
He stared at the two men for a long moment before finally texting: Who did Ileana choose?! Seconds later, a photo arrived. Grant’s pupils contracted, disbelief written all over his face.
Decker and Carver gasped in unison. “No way!”
“Ileana chose that paralyzed cripple?“}
“That’s impossible!“&
Cassidy, still nestled in Grant’s arms, flashed a victorious look before feigning concern.
“Maybe Miss Sinclair is just acting out. You guys left her party for me–she must be furious.“@
“Maybe you should go back. I’ll be fine here alone.“)
Tears slid down her cheeks as she spoke, making the three men instantly soften.
Decker, ever the blunt one, scoffed, “Ileana’s pulled plenty of stunts before. I want to see if she’ll really go through with marrying that cripple. Just wait–she’ll come crying to us, begging one of us to take her back.”
Grant felt his nerves settle a little.
Right. Ileana chased after him for years–nothing could drive her away. Just missing one birthday party couldn’t possibly make her turn around and marry a broken man.
Cassidy’s eyes never left Grant. When she saw his silence, a flicker of jealousy flashed in her gaze.
