a's mouth when Clarice's hand

. Lydia never

es and Margaret. Being slapped-especially b

How dare y

indly. Clarice sidestepped and wal

ed, storming in with tears and a

pressions turned sour the

ast, he wouldn't have hesitated to slap Cl

t's be done with this," he said

no need to lash out at your sister," Margaret said s

argaret. Honestly, hate m

o stole your father and dro

to hit me first," C

h her, and she hit me-hard.

t flinch. Why should she? Lydia had cros

rong. Apologize," Charles snap

No one cared about the truth. She was always the one who

this

he faint kiss marks on her neck, "Lydia insulted me

realization flickered in his eyes. Ha

ven't even registered the marri

So don't push me. If this whole fragile engagement blows up, Ly

lent. Nobody cared ab

ountry. But Lydia had never wanted this marriage-not just be

meone else in her heart: Jordan

dan was handsome, gentle-her perfect prince. And Lydi

ed-to Clarice. A match arranged by

ore's terrifying-and way old

der than Lydia. Twelve y

rgaret said, patting Lydia's hand a

se are you talking ab

r. Grant. You can't pr

s tone

and yes, you hit her-but le

Lydia and let out

tioned for

u to come back becau

from him, pulled out her phon

tonight. D

there.

d already finished whatever he was sa

ari

at her blan

ad? What

since he needed her hel

n a few days. You need to

home? Yeah, r

out a co

he can pull that off? She's

is plaything," Clarice said ca

her to own it. The b

es snapped, then turned to Clari

it wouldn't just succeed-it would attract further investors and triple the company's market value. Bu

while now, and Theodore hadn't shown his face once. Ch

sking too much

the only things she'd ever sai

my G

er. p

here. ye

com

Grant home!" Charles snapped, hi

about S

Her condition was fragile. Sh

her emotions and g

l do

" she said quietly, rising to