4
The moment the words left my mouth, Julian’s eyes lit up with surprise.
A smile played on his lips, like he’d finally gotten what he’d been waiting for.
“Okay, it’s a deal. Don’t you dare go back on your word.”
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He didn’t ask anything, only whispered as he brushed past me, “Wait for me, patiently.”
3:40 pm G
<
Then he left in high spirits, leaving only his back.
Early the next morning, Julian Vance brought his family elders to present a formal proposal.
The gifts they brought were all incredibly valuable, in duplicate.
My father couldn’t stop smiling.
He had originally hoped I would marry into the Blackwood family, but Damien was dead set on marrying the daughter of a housekeeper with no family background whatsoever. My father had
completely given up hope.
Julian, on the other hand, was respectful and his actions were full of sincerity.
As soon as the engagement was confirmed, the gifts from the Vance family piled up like mountains.
I figured it was only proper to reciprocate. I couldn’t just take without giving back.
So, I started looking for a suitable wedding gift for Julian.
As soon as I arrived at the jewelry store, I spotted a jade cufflink.
I held it in my hand, measuring it. It would be perfect for Julian to wear to formal events- understated elegance.
I was about to pull my card out of my wallet when two figures unexpectedly burst in through the
door.
Half of Damien Blackwood’s arm was wrapped in bandages, black blood vessels already spreading
to his wrist.
He glanced at me, then at the cufflink gift box in my hand, and scoffed.
“Stella Stewart, I hear you’re engaged to someone else. Are you playing hard to get again, trying to make me jealous?”
“I really don’t believe anyone would be lining up for someone else’s leftovers.”
He deliberately emphasized the word “leftovers,” as if I were trash he could summon or discard at will.
3:40 pm G
<
Willow pretended not to understand, suppressing a smile, and quietly said, “Don’t be like that. She
has her pride too.”
I ignored them and turned to leave.
But Damien took a long stride, blocking me between the counter and the floor–to–ceiling window.
He casually hooked a finger, roughly snatching the box.
“You’re trying to apologize to me with something so tacky? Aren’t you embarrassed?”
I quickly snatched the box back.
“Excuse me, this is for my fiancé. It has nothing to do with you.”
Damien’s face instantly darkened, as if he’d been slapped in public, his hand frozen mid–air.
He sneered.
“Stella Stewart, who else would you want to marry besides me? Is playing hard to get really that
entertaining?”
Damien scoffed.
“Let’s see how long you can keep this act up. Don’t come crying to me to crash your wedding later.”
I didn’t look at him again, turning directly to leave.
The sneer hadn’t even faded from Damien’s lips when his body suddenly swayed.
A second later, he coughed up a large mouthful of black blood and collapsed to the floor.
Willow’s face instantly changed, her voice sharp and frantic.
“Damien? What’s wrong with you?”
“Doctor! Does anyone know first aid? Please, someone help him!”
