t felt hot, and she could swear it was red. Her fingers trembled a

at was too far, don't you think?" he

the matter was nothing. "Oh, please, darling you saw the

eat, while Maya just stood there,

Ethan, who had remained calm an

avior. You see, she's from the countryside so she lacks manners, pro

n a little. He simply dabbed his mouth with his napkin

ing's smil

le her however you like. Discipline her,

napped toward

. Ashford," she continued, "the girl has never been exposed to real society.

ange was abrupt..." he glanced at Mr. Ashford, then at Maya. "

ersation?" she scoffed, but Mr. Sterling gav

should have a private conversation.

could talk for five minutes. She can ask me any question

ou heard him. Get up quickly! Mr

t first. Her head

the fuck up," Mr

ose s

he balcony," Mr.

elped him back into the wheelchair. He didn't say a word as he tu

r a moment, staring

wpoke!" Nelly s

With each step she took, her heart raced faster, her palms damp with sweat. Her mind was spin

soft rustle of the evening wind. Ethan was already t

t saying

ence alone was intimidating. It was as if th

eps away, unsure if s

tly. He raised his wrist

tly. "It's four minutes left. You d

guard by the way he mea

y, her voice trembling,

raised

Maya continued quickly, "and things were chan

y help, the arrangement was set. You are also Mr. Sterling's daughter, and so the bri

es widene

the marriage a

" she ask

ession unreadable. "I need to

No elaboratio

a's hair, sending a

. "Do you even

Maya Hart, 20 years old, from the countryside, biologic

t... how did you know tha

e of everything. One of my men was among the o

re okay getting married to

han lovers when emotions aren

his words. "Marriage isn't supposed to be like th

and I

n't matter who the bride is, as

rect," he s

u like... as

"I don't know," he said flatly.

at? she thought. That wasn't how normal people replied to

him. "What if

, leaning back sligh

"And what make

now what happe

ded so loudly she could hear it in her ears. She opened her mou

into the side of his jacket and pu

aling a simple yet elegant diamond rin

aid as his eyes l

he said evenly, "