smile. "Rena, let's not be hasty. H

ituation, but you are still my daughter. I'm not heart

ing, Rena's curiosity w

sip of the water and l

y, urging Richard to take notes.

and her mother out of the family so that he could live with his mistress

ess washed over her, h

idening in terror as she stared at Alexande

as chilling. "You catc

ermined and won't agree to marry you willingly. Once yo

eagerness, his voice unnervingly s

ng her fragrance. "Rena, despite being ousted, with me

m inappropriately, Rena's

e was painfully aware that Alexander would

sleeve. She declared defian

on, disbelief washed over Ale

"What nonsense is this? Married? To whom? Are y

ssed her outright. "Rena, lying is unbecoming.

er foot caught on a chair, send

, Rena's cry for he

e figure framed by the backlight stood at the threshold

Richard turn

Rena into his arms. His voice was a

lla

fed, seeing th

me stranger to thwa

llowing, "You deceived my daughter into marrying you, right? I

s gaze sweeping over Alexander and Richard without a h

her fiancé! Do you even know who I am? How dare you meddle with my b

nd scoffed, "Really? Her fiancé? You're more s

owed, "Enough of your insolence! Are yo

nd the restaurant manager h

once!" Alexander

to Kellan, his face

erful young head of the Payne family. How

lan could sp

estured to his staff, who instea

tested as they struggled, "What is th

logize, gentlemen, but you've just crossed a line with Mr. Payne.

nd Richard exchanged

em, they had tang

arried belong to tha

d for his staff to escort them out, then tur

urther questions, his commanding pre

s arms, was still trying

she murmured weakly, "Kellan, are yo

anager claim they ha