Sienna’s POV
Both Lance and I stood there, stunned.
COG
“Uncle, are you kidding me? You know Sienna’s been chasing after me like a dog until just a few days ago. Don’t let her fool you!” Lance spat angrily.
“Lance,” Howard said evenly, “do you really want me to repeat myself?”
His large hand rested firmly on my waist, and the heat of his palm seeped through my clothes, making my heart race uncontrollably.
Lance was painfully average in every way. The only reason the Madron family hadn’t fallen into obscurity was because of Howard’s influence and support.
In the face of his uncle’s icy stare, Lance finally backed down, lowering his head in submission.
As he left, his gaze locked on me, filled with a disturbing mix of resentment and determination.
Even after Lance was gone, Howard’s hand remained at my waist. Feeling awkward, I stepped away and lowered my head.
“Thank you, Mr. Sharp,” I said quietly.
“There’s no need to be so formal with me,” he replied, his tone softer now.
“What?” I looked up in surprise, meeting his deep, penetrating gaze.
He reached out to smooth a stray strand of hair from my face. His fingers grazed my skin with the gentleness of a lover’s touch.
A shiver ran down my spine. Instinctively, I grabbed his hand and blurted, “There’s really nothing between Lance and me-
“I don’t care about your past,” he interrupted. “I only care about your future with me.”
I stared at him, speechless.
Seeing me in that state, a flicker of disappointment soon crossed his face. “Don’t tell me everything you said last night was a lie?”
What did I say last night?
As I wracked my brain, I finally remembered it.
“You want to marry me?” I asked, surprised.
“Of course,” he confirmed without hesitation.
My already racing heart felt like it was in my throat.
“Didn’t you say if I didn’t fix your mess, you’d marry me to ruin my family for the rest of your life? Well, I’d love to see it with my own eyes,” he said with a slight smile.
Only then did it finally sink to me. So, this is the reason why he didn’t give money to Lance and me as compensation.
Seemingly figured everything finally dawn on me, he asked, “So, have you already thought about our wedding
date?”
The question left me dizzy, like I’d been hit with a falling star. “Isn’t this too fast?” I murmured.
When in fact, what I really wanted to say was, ‘Can we do it right now?‘
Lance had always relied on his family’s elite status in Washington to act invincible. So, as long as he gave a word, no one would be willing to marry me. Anyone brave enough to go against him would inevitably be crushed under his influence. Except for one man–Howard.
On that note, if I let this chance slip by, I’d have no choice but to pack my things and leave immediately as planned.
The thing was, the bachelor party I hosted at my home back then wasn’t a celebration–it was a farewell as it might be my last party in the city. For I know that if I lingered here any longer, I might be stuck with Lance’s shadow forever.
