novelraw Chapter 156: Engagement
Chapter 156: Engagement
Veronica Wyatt was vexed. She was furious with herself for her poor judgment and even took it out on her best friend, feeling like she never wanted to speak to her again for the rest of her life.
"I heard they were cornered in a hotel room together. Ugh, it’s disgusting just talking about it. We need to hurry and find a suitable wife for Cole. I absolutely do not want a daughter-in-law from the entertainment industry."
Brandon Sinclair murmured in agreement. Despite his busy work schedule, he was as doting as any young man when it came to pleasing his wife. He generally followed her lead on all family matters.
It couldn’t be helped. The Wyatt Family had been one of the great families of Dragonspire, while the Sinclair Family was merely a rising star. At the time, their families were not social equals.
Veronica Wyatt came from a distinguished family, was beautiful, and had a gentle nature. Countless talented young men had pursued her, yet in the end, it was he—the most unassuming of them all—who won her hand. From that day forward, he was determined to treat Veronica well, to cherish her for the rest of his life.
"Take your time and pick someone suitable," he said. "But..." ’Not the Upton girl,’ he thought. The idea of it repulsed him.
Veronica Wyatt knew her husband well enough. Hearing his hesitation, she offered, "I know. Just remember to call Special Assistant Hayes tomorrow. Have him arrange a suitable position for Rosalie, and that will be enough."
Such was the understanding between them that some things were better left unsaid. Brandon Sinclair simply nodded in agreement once more.
...
Inside Splendor, Melanie Chenning’s face was dark as she glared at Clement Lee.
Under the dim lighting, her expression looked almost sinister.
Normally, Clement Lee would have already rushed over to placate her. But after three straight days of trying to win her over, he had exhausted every trick in the book and simply didn’t have the patience for it anymore.
"Melanie, you know I’ve always been into you. We practically grew up together. You know what kind of man I am; you’re the only woman I’ve ever had feelings for, ever since we were teenagers. The Lee Family and the Chenning Family are a good match, socially and financially.
If you just say yes, my family will start preparing the engagement ceremony immediately. We can even have the wedding before the New Year. I promise I won’t do you wrong.
But if you say no, I won’t force you. From that point on, though, we go our separate ways. I’ll find another woman to marry for the sake of an alliance, and I’ll get out of your hair for good.
So, are you going to get engaged to me or not?"
Melanie Chenning whipped her head around, glaring fiercely at Clement Lee. "How can you even say that? You claim you like me so much? How many women have you slept with?"
Clement Lee didn’t show a hint of guilt under her questioning. "It’s not like I was your first, either. Does any of that really matter? Back then, I knew you’d never marry me, so yeah, I messed around a few times. But I’ve never had real feelings for anyone else.
You’re different, though. You’ve been hung up on Eldest Master Sinclair for over a decade, but you still slept with other guys, didn’t you?
I can’t erase my past, but I can guarantee that if you just say the word, I will never get involved with another woman again!"
’We’re all in the same circle. For a rich heir like him, having only a few one-night stands was practically being a saint. Guys who fathered illegitimate children, kept several mistresses, or swapped girlfriends daily were a dime a dozen. What was the big deal?’
’Thinking about it, it was all pretty meaningless, really. Acting on impulse, finding a woman to blow off some steam... it was over in a few minutes. Nothing compared to the comfort of being with someone you actually liked. He was genuinely willing to spend the rest of his life with just Melanie.’
’He had, in fact, orchestrated their last encounter at the hotel. But in his mind, he had done it for Melanie’s own good.’
’Eldest Master Sinclair was clearly never going to give her the time of day. If Melanie got too obsessed, he would probably deal with her, and when that happened, it wouldn’t just be her who suffered—it could bring down the entire Chenning Family. What was the point of all that?’
’Why throw away a perfectly good life, aiming for the unattainable? Had she never considered that trying to pluck that flower from its high peak might cause her to be utterly shattered in the process?’
’A person had to believe in fate, at least a little. If it wasn’t in the cards for you, you had to face reality.’
Clement Lee’s words left Melanie Chenning deeply embarrassed, which quickly turned back to fury. "You set me up, and now you’re going to stand there and gloat?"
Clement Lee picked up his cocktail and downed it in one gulp before forcefully pulling her into his embrace. "Melanie, stop fighting this. Just consider it my fault. How about I spend the rest of my life making it up to you?"
’There was no point making excuses. He’d never really intended to hide it anyway. No matter how carefully a plan was laid, it could always be unraveled by a determined investigator. It was better to just own up to it.’
’Besides, he hadn’t drugged her that day. Melanie had been unwilling at first, but she hadn’t resisted later on. That proved she wasn’t completely repulsed by him, and for now, that was enough.’
Melanie Chenning desperately wanted to refuse Clement Lee. The fact that she couldn’t marry Cole Sinclair left a bitter taste in her mouth. But ever since their scandal broke, her father had warned her more than once that she had to marry Clement Lee. He told her not to throw away a perfectly good match for a fantasy and end up with nothing.
’Besides, the Lee Family was a good family. She wouldn’t have a hard life if she married him. There was no reason to sour the relationship between their two families. In the world of business, it was always better to have another friend than another enemy.’
’Otherwise, she wouldn’t have even agreed to meet Clement Lee tonight.’
...
The very next day, the Lee Family went to the Chenning Family to formally propose marriage. Even among wealthy families, matters of betrothal gifts and bride prices were taken seriously.
These matters were, of course, left for the parents to discuss. Clement Lee just sat off to the side, grinning like an idiot. Even though Melanie Chenning’s face was completely blank, he was still overjoyed.
News of the two families’ engagement spread quickly. When Eric Sinclair heard, he simply smiled and put the matter out of his mind.
"Sir, are you still going to see Miss Perry today?"
After seeing off the technical director and game designer, Eric Sinclair glanced at the time. He had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to stay lucid for much longer this time, but he still had so much to do. "No, I’ll wait and pick her up from the airport when she gets back."
Sebastian Sinclair said no more. His master was always so capricious.
’Besides, Miss Perry was only away filming for three days. She would be back tomorrow night. He really didn’t see the point in flying out to see her.’
Just then, Secretary White came in. "President, that Miss Upton is here again."
Eric Sinclair held up a hand. The smile on his face was as brilliant as ever, but his eyes held no trace of warmth. "What is it this time?"
"She’s not here to see you, sir. She’s here for her first day of work. I called HR... and they said... they said your father arranged it."
"Which department?"
"Sales."
’Thank God Dad hasn’t completely lost his mind,’ Eric Sinclair thought.
"Pass down the order: Rosalie Upton is forbidden from setting foot on the 46th floor."
Secretary White nodded. ’With Miss Perry in the picture, how could the president possibly have eyes for anyone else?’
’That was right. He, like Henry Hayes and Sebastian Sinclair, was now among the select few who knew about the president’s dual personality.’
’But he had only found out yesterday!’
’Thinking back to what happened yesterday still made Secretary White break out in a cold sweat. His head was still spinning from signing all those non-disclosure agreements.’