My brother leaned back in his chair and said casually: “Anyone else, maybe. But Garrett is different for her.“[]

    “Tiana’s in love with Garrett. She’s always wanted to marry him.“[]

    “But she’s had messy rtionships with every guy in their little group, plus she’s been pretty wild outside it too.“]

    “Hell, she even has a bastard kid she dumped on the father.“b] /b

    “I didn’t notice all this at first because she was always hanging around Leo. I figured they were the actual couple.“[]

    “Any man with half a brain wouldn’t want to marry a woman like that.“]

    “But get this–she goes around calling herself a ‘modern woman,‘ always screaming about gender equality.“[]

    I stammered: “What kind of twisted logic makes her think that way?“]]

    My brother waved his hand dismissively: “Sutton, let’s talk business first. The ckwell marriage is definitely off, but I’m in a tight spot here.”

    He pulled out his phone and sent me a photo.[]

    “The Lambert heir–good–looking guy, grew up in Chicago. Take a look at his photo first?b“/b[]

    “If you think there’s potential, maybe try getting to know him?“]

    There was something careful in my brother’s tone, and he sighed after speaking.

    “I used to be so arrogant, thinking my sister could marry for love instead of status. I didn’t want you having to deal with inws looking down on you.“]]

    “Never thought I’d end up having you reach above your station anyway.“]

    I stared at the photo on my phone for a long time, then asked in surprise: b“/bIsn’t his name Ethan Williams? How is he a Lambert heir?”

    “He’s the Lambert family’s child they’ve been keeping under wraps. He went without the family name for years.“]]

    “Wait!… You know him??”

    I nodded: “I was an exchange student at Harvard during college–spent two years there. That’s when I met him.“[]

    My brother immediately sent me his number.]

    I tried searching and adding him, surprised to discover he’d never changed his username.[]

    And he’d been sitting quietly in my friends list this whole time.[]

    b“/bConnorb, /bbusiness stuff is over my head–you take care of it,” I said with a smile. “We knew each other a bit in college. When I

    graduated and returned to Chicago, something happened with his family and we just drifted apart.“b[/bb] /b

    “But looking back now, I guess it’s fate.“[]

    “Ok.” My brother stood up to leave.[]

    But at the door, he stopped and turned back: “Sutton, if it doesn’t feel rightb, /bforget it. Worst case, I’ll give up the American

    market.”

    I smiled and told him not to worry.

    But I could see he was still anxious.]

    What I didn’t expect was that even though Garrett and I hadpletely torn things apart, while I’d blocked his number, I hadn’t blocked his social media yet.[]

    He sent me message on IG:[]

    [Sutton, now that you know the whole story, you should understand my position. I didn’t have a choice.]]]

    [We’ve been together three years. If you’re going to marry me, you should consider my situation. What’s the big deal about swallowing some pride?]]]

    [Your brother Connor is restructuring assets and desperately needs to break into the American market.]]]

    [If you break off our engagement now, he’ll lose big. Think about it–if he loses the entire American market, what will happen to the Marshall family?]]

    The message sounded like a peace offering.]

    But every line dripped with threats.

    Just like how Mrs. ckwell had threatened me about having no connections in America.]]

    I didn’t reply–just blocked him immediately.[]

    The second I blocked Garrett, Ethan sent me a message.]]

    A long string of goofy emojis.[]

    “Sutton, is that really you?“[]

    “My dad’s forcing me into blind dates and I’m pissed as hell, but then I find out my date is you?“]

    b“/bbI /bheard you’re a total badass fighter now? You gotta have my back from now on. I can’t fight–I can only eat.“[]

    He made meugh. I sent back a smiley face.[]

    Looks like my bar brawl had made me “famous.“]

    [Want to hang out? I’ll drive over and pick you up.] Ethan continued to send message.]]

    Pure artenstupb? /bThen why the Baby This? Enjoy Your Cells, Soumates!

    b72.3/bb% /b

    [My cousin’s in town too. Thanksgiving’sing up, so how about we bankrupt the Bet family tomorrow as my Thanksgiving gift to my future brother–inw?]]

    Bet family? Leo Bet?]

    The greasy asshole who’d threatened to rape me?]]

    To speed up his bankruptcy, I replied quickly:[]

    [Deal. Come get me, I’ll go change clothes.]]]

    (0)