Chapter 4

"I knew you'd run to my mother to complain and tattle! Hmph, I truly misjudged you."

His fingers dug deep into my flesh, as if I were his mortal enemy.

It took all my strength to wrench my hand free. The lingering scent of Chloe's perfume on him filled me with disgust.

"I didn't come to complain, I came to—"

"You think I believe you? I can tell by Mother's sudden coldness towards me. You must have been gossiping and twisting things, that's why she's looking at me like this."

"I'm not saying I won't marry you, so what's the rush? Chloe has already agreed to be the woman behind me. See how generous she is? Not like you, so petty and small-minded, always consumed by jealousy. If you had Chloe's business acumen, I might actually give you more than a passing glance, and we'd have more to talk about."

He meant I wasn't as gentle and understanding as Chloe, nor as sharp and brilliant.

But Julian, if you had only waited a little longer, you would have discovered my secret.

Oddly, hearing his insults, my heart remained calm.

Mrs. Reed, however, was furious. But before she could speak, Chloe also entered.

Julian, fearing his mother would scold Chloe first, pulled her into his embrace, defensively shielding her.

“Mom, I’ve fallen for this understanding woman. Can’t you let her be the woman behind me? She isn’t even trying to snatch Eleanor’s position as the primary partner; she’s being incredibly reasonable.”

Hearing that, I actually laughed.

The matriarch's position in the Reed family was a highly coveted prize. Chloe wasn't snatching it *yet* only because she couldn't. Once her timing was right, she'd certainly go for it.

“Didn’t you say you wanted grandchildren? Chloe and I have real chemistry, that spark a man should feel. With Eleanor, it’s like an old married couple already; there’s no longer that passion.”

Chloe pressed herself tightly against Julian, her voice soft and fragile: “Mrs. Reed, I promise I’ll be obedient and won’t cause any trouble. I love Julian, not his money, so I don’t care about property or status. I only care about Julian’s happiness.”

Mrs. Reed watched the two of them, so inseparable, she was nearly beside herself with fury. Because what Julian didn’t know was that I had just proposed to marry his younger uncle.

Grandfather’s will stipulated that the Matriarch of the Reed family must be Eleanor. Whoever marries Eleanor inherits the entire family fortune. Otherwise, they’ll be stuck with a paltry million a month allowance.

Julian had no idea, which was why Mrs. Reed was so anxious.

But Julian’s attitude was so unyielding, and my determination to marry Sebastian was just as strong.

Mrs. Reed could only sigh and close her eyes, allowing us to make our own decisions. She decided not to interfere, returning to her quiet meditation and prayers.

As I walked out the door to get into my car, I was blocked by several bodyguards.

“This is what you get for running to my mother to complain.”

Julian appeared behind me, embracing Chloe, his eyes blazing with anger as he glared at me.

“That car is a gift from me. You can’t take it.”

“I just want you to remember: you need to learn to be agreeable and please me if you want to have a good life. Just like your Vance family.”

“I allow you to have a good life, and you will. The same goes for the primary partner position, do you understand?”

With that, he took Chloe’s hand and led her to the Maserati, opening the door for her to try out the sports car.

“Do you like it? Anything you want, just say the word and it’s yours.”

Chloe’s face lit up instantly, and she left a fragrant kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you, Julian.” The staff looked at me with sympathetic eyes.

Julian’s actions were a blatant slap in my face. The fiancée, less valued than a mistress. He was also warning me not to be rebellious, or he would retaliate against my family.

I had no choice but to walk away from the Reed estate in my heels. It was a long way from my house, and finding a taxi would be difficult.

Watching my humiliated retreat, Chloe was practically ecstatic. She was using her 'strategic retreat' to slowly, steadily, take over Julian’s heart.

Just as I was still reeling from the shock, a black Lamborghini pulled up in front of me.

The door opened, and a deep, pleasant male voice spoke: “Get in.”

I lowered my head, meeting his cold, handsome gaze, and slid into the car without hesitation.

Neither of us spoke until we reached my house. Only then did Sebastian Reed break the silence.