Chapter 3: Chapter 3

“Have you seen the news?” Bella screeched.

Violet looked up at her, shaking her head. “What about it?”

Bella slumped down on the chair opposite her, tapped on her phone, and shoved it in front of Violet’s face. She took the phone to read the article. Devlin Azriel Silver: Heir of Silver Group to marry this year. A large picture is posted under the headline, showing Devlin staring down affectionately at her, his arms around her waist, seemingly poised to give her a kiss. Only the left side of her face was caught on camera. But anyone who knew her would know who it was. She covered her mouth with her hands.

“So, care to explain?” Bella raised her brows at her, curiosity written all over her face.

“It’s not what it looks like. We don’t even know each other personally.”

“Then why does it look like you two were about to kiss?”

Violet laughed at the absurdity of it. “Because the photographers were really good? Seriously, I don’t even know how they made it look like that.”

Bella squinted her eyes at her, clearly not convinced. “Then what was that about?”

“It was an accident. I was about to fall down and he caught me. That’s it.” Violet shrugged her shoulders.

“That’s it? But why were you both alone?”

“I was getting nauseous so I sneaked away to the rooftop for a while. He went there after me, said he wanted some fresh air,” Violet explained.

“Oh. You never talked to him before last night?”

“I did meet him before last night.” Bella’s face lit up, waiting for her to continue. Violet’s voice carried a note of accusation, “At his house. Last Saturday. When I went to help Amara? You didn’t tell me you knew him when Max introduced him to us.”

“Actually, I didn’t realize he was Mom’s employer until I saw the news this morning, the name Silver and your face plastered everywhere. If I knew how hot he was, I would have gone with Mom every Saturday just to get a peek of him, you know.” Bella wagged her brows up and down, a wicked look on her face.

I snickered at her. “He’s attractive, all right. But I’d steer clear of him. He seems to be bad news.”

“Everyone seems to be bad news to you, Violet. At that rate, you should expect to be a spinster for life.”

“Well, better to be safe than sorry, right?”

“Safe is boring. But anyway, I think he’s in love with Summer. Max did mention it last night, didn’t she? So I looked them up. I think they’re childhood sweethearts. They were always pictured together for the last fifteen years or so.”

“Really?” Violet replied. She thought back on last night’s events. They did look intimate with each other. The way Summer leaned her shoulder constantly towards him to whisper something in his ear. Or the way she slapped his thighs when she laughed. Or the way Devlin stole glances at her. She nodded to Bella in agreement, “You’re probably right.”

Devlin read the article again. Fucking hell! He would get his hands on those damn paparazzi. It was the worst time for something like this to hit the news. His grandmother was already breathing down his neck. And this would only stoke the fire.

“Mr. Devlin, Sir? Madam Elora is waiting outside. She said she needs to talk to you,” his secretary announced.

Devlin let out a sigh of frustration. Here it goes again. “Okay, let her in.”

A minute later, his grandma walked in, an air of arrogance and stubbornness around her. She remained standing in front of his table and looked straight at him, “That was unexpected, Devlin. But a rather happy news, I must say.”

“It wasn’t what it looked like. I don’t even know her,” he said defensively.

“I already made inquiries about her. She’s not from a wealthy family but I guess that’s more preferable. At least she wouldn’t be as spoiled and shallow like the girls you usually go for. She seems smart. A little shy, but with a bit of training, she’d do just fine. Very pretty

too. She strikes me as a suitable wife for you, quiet as a mouse but feisty as a tiger.”

Devlin closed his eyes briefly. “Nana, she’s nothing to me.”

“She won’t be for long. I would like her to be my granddaughter-in-law. Arrange the wedding as soon as possible,” she demanded, her eyes as hard as steel. He knew that look. If she wants something, she’d do everything to get it.

“Nana, I’m telling you again, we don’t know each other. She’s a friend of my friend. Are you telling me you want me to marry someone I don’t even know? What if she’s a psychopath? God forbid, a serial killer? Would you want that on your conscience if something were to happen to me?” he reasoned.

“Don’t worry, my darling. I wouldn’t have suggested marriage if I didn’t have her background checked first. Not much is there though. No criminal charges either. Good enough for me.”

“I won’t marry her.”

She clenched her jaw. “Oh, you will. Or you forfeit that summer house you loved so much. I will donate it today itself if you don’t give me your word to marry that girl.”

“Nana, enough!” He was a patient man, but he didn’t take threats well. Not even from the only relative he has left.

“I’m serious, Devlin. That little property means nothing to me. But if you want to keep it, you have to do what I tell you.”

Devlin bared his teeth, “How can you make me, your own grandson, do something I’d regret later on?”

Nana’s eyes softened. “I only want what’s best for you, darling.”

“No, you only want what is best for you,” he fired back.

“Think whatever you want. But this is my last warning to you. Once I walked out of that door, that summer house will never be yours. I will make sure you cannot buy it back. Goodbye, Devlin.” She turned her back and headed to the door.

“Wait,” he said, clenching his hands. A second passed. Two. Three. Four. He finally lifted his eyes and looked at her. “I give you my word to marry her. But in return, you transfer the property to me as soon as we’re wed.”

“One year. Live together for at least one year after you’re married and I will transfer it to your name. I want to make sure that you’re not just going to marry her and discard her as soon as you get your hands on that property.”

“Three months. That’s all I’ll agree to.”

“Six. Final offer.”

“Fine.” He lashed out.

She tried to hide a smile, but the look of satisfaction was very much evident on her face.