Chapter 4
I hadn’t sought out Sherina during this time. She only showed up on the day of the birthday banquet, her face was cold and expressionless.
Cherry and Mariah followed behind her, both looking displeased.
I frowned and glanced at my assistant. I had clearly said that the woman I planned to announce an engagement with today wasn’t one of them–there was no reason to invite them.
But the assistant frantically shook his head with a look that screamed, “I don’t know! They came on their own!“}]
I sighed helplessly, deciding to pretend I hadn’t seen them.
Down below, the guests were more enthusiastic than I was, eagerly greeting the three of them.
“Miss Sherina, you’re truly impressive at such a young age. The project you secured last month must have generated millions in revenue! No wonder Mr. Calum only has eyes for you.”
But that project had been negotiated by me. Sherina had done nothing but sign the final contract.
“Miss Mariah may have a fiery temper, but she’s fiercely righteous. Mr. Calum would be lucky to marry you.”
I sneered inwardly. The one who had bullied me the most was Mariah. She treated me like a venomous snake, as if she couldn’t wait to wipe me off the face of the earth.
“And Miss Cherry is such a refined beauty. Mr. Calum would be wise to choose you. We’ll count on you to take care of us in the future.”> The three of them acted as if they were the true hosts of my birthday banquet, basking in the spotlight.”
furrowed my brow, and was about to put an end to this absurdity, but all three suddenly lowered their heads and pulled out their phones. Before I could react, Mariah’s expression darkened, and she stormed up to me.
Without warning, she slapped me.§
The blow left me dazed, nearly knocking me to the ground.
Gasps erupted. The guests froze in place, not daring to intervene.
Sherina clenched her fists tightly and stepped in to stop Mariah from hitting me again. She then turned to glare at me, seething with fury.” “We’ve already allowed ourselves to be paraded here like goods for your choosing–what more do you want?”
“Do you have to push Warren to his death?”
I stared, bewildered. Cherry, seeing my confusion, looked at me with even more contempt.
“You dared to have someone kidnap Warren while none of us were with him? Let me tell you right now–you’ll never get your way!“} And just like that, I understood. Warren was playing tricks again.
The guests here were either my father’s friends or business partners. Yet not a single one stood up for me after I was slapped.” A chill settled in my chest.
They had likely decided that the Gray family’s assets would never fall into my hands–so they didn’t hesitate to curry favor with the three women instead.
I covered my face, rny voice cold as I looked at Mariah.
“Apologize.“”
Mariah glanced at my reddened eyes, her tone mocking, “Warren was almost beaten to death. You only got slapped once–what are you crying about?“{
“I’m fine…“&
A voice interrupted me.”
Warren limped through the doorway, his clothes torn, his face was swollen and bruised.
Just one look and anyone would assume he’d been badly beaten.
Sherina rushed over, quickly draping her jacket over his shoulders, then turned to glare at me with pure disgust. “You’re as manipulative and heartless as ever. I’ll never marry someone like you!”
Even the usually quiet Cherry stepped forward, shielding Warren with a stern expression. “Your family has a weak bloodline and wants to rely on women to produce heirs and secure your legacy. You dragged us three back to be tools, and we’ve already accepted our fate–but you’re still not satisfied.“%
“In that case, there’s no need to keep up this charade of peace.“}
She turned and walked away, showing zero regard for the Gray family’s reputation.”
Just before leaving, Sherina threw down a final, haughty line, “I’ll marry you. But once I’ve given birth, you’ll be nothing more than a placeholder. If you want my child to protect the Gray family’s legacy, you’d better learn your place.”
I laughed.
Did they forget who I really am?%
If it weren’t for me, the Gray family would never have taken them in.
As the three of them turned to leave, someone in the crowd finally made a move to stop them.
But I barked coldly, “Let them go!”
11:04 AM
Warren glanced at me sideways with a smug expression, as if he had just won the world.”
I stood still, silent, until my assistant rushed over, flustered.}
“What should we do now? All three of them are gone. Who are you going to choose?“}]
The other guests began to frown as well.
“The Gray family needs an heir sooner or later. If even those three–who know your background–refuse to marry you, then who’s left?“}
I nearly burst out laughing. There are millions of women in this world–who says I have to marry one of those three?}
With a calm smile, I raised my wine glass and addressed the guests. “Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know, today isn’t just my birthday -it’s also my engagement party.“}
Just then, a face appeared on the large screen behind me–cold, elegant, and stunning.”
A collective gasp swept through the room.
“Isn’t that Meredith from the Hoffman family in the capital?!“}
