Payment

Aciel pulled her again and continued to walk inside. They went upstairs and as they passed by every room, someone was standing by the door to greet them.

"Do they all live here?" She asked curiosity piqued.

"No. Father, his wife, and their son live here. But it's Wednesday. It's the clan's tradition to gather here every Wednesday." Aciel explained.

"Why are they standing by the door?" She asked again.

Aciel sighed. "Luca announced that I'm here. As the next head of the clan, they are obliged to greet me. Plus the fact that I brought a girl."

She nodded and didn't ask any more questions. In every room, they were greeted by the members of the clan. The men bowed their heads to Aciel, but the women, after bowing their heads, looked at her with either envy or amusement.

"Don't mind them. I'm the illegitimate son so they have something to say in everything I do." Aciel commented.

As they continued to walk down the hallway, Xylia couldn't believe how big the mansion was. It was bigger than theirs. She thought to herself. Its design was a mixture of modern and contemporary. And the paintings on the wall we're all extraordinary.

"Your house is beautiful." She said.

"It's not mine. I don't live here." He answered.

She was unsure of what he meant, but she felt a little irritation from his voice. She kept quiet until they reached the last room at the end of the hall.

Aciel knocked twice before opening the door, dragging her inside. Before the door closed, Xylia saw Luca waving his hand and smiling at her. Beside him was a woman who was about her age. She was glaring at her and then rolled her eyes before turning her back at her.

"Father." Aciel greeted.

Xylia gulped, seeing Luciano De Silva in the flesh. Rumor said that it was difficult to find him. He would not go to a party or a meeting unless you're someone recognized by him.

The man was sitting in front of his desk and was writing something. Two men were standing behind him with guns holstered on their waist. Xylia felt anxious seeing a real pistol so she bowed her head to hide her fear.

"I know why you're here. And my answer is still no." Luciano finally said.

She felt like cold water was poured into her body. She couldn't move or even speak and felt like her heart would burst out from her chest.

Luciano's cold tone was a lot different from her father's. It was strong and scary.

"No! I will not accept your decision."

She was more shocked by Aciel's answer. She finally turned her head to his side and looked at him with eyes wide open.

"Are you going to disobey me again because of that girl?" The old man asked, almost shouting.

Aciel smirked. "You asked me to choose a girl so I did what you asked me. I want her. Not someone from that dumb list Martin gave me."

"You could never wed an Antonov woman. No one could. And what can we gain from that family? Nothing. They are already bankrupt. That's the reason she was sold to the Harlow's."

Xylia stared at Luciano. She was surprised by what he said. "Sold? What do you mean?"

Luciano didn't like being stared at. No one could look him in the eyes because of fear. But he was amused by the pair of emeralds staring directly at him. He couldn't see any fear from the princess of the Antonov Clan.

"You didn't know? Your mother's twin sister sold you for a billion dollars. She had gambling issues and had no money to offer anymore so she offered you instead. The Harlow's owned the biggest casino in Bloomsdale, but the Antonov name still holds the most influential family in the city. So they accepted the offer."

"How about my father and grandfather? Did they know?" She asked.

"What do you think? Your family will never accept bankruptcy. They think highly of themselves so they went with the flow."

Xylia didn't blink and was still staring at Luciano. The two men behind him noticed that the girl had no fear of their boss. One of them was about to take out his gun, but Aciel glared at him.

Luciano expected Xylia to cry, but she didn't. Her fearless eyes suddenly changed into a rage. She was mad at her family for making her the payment for a gambling debt.

"I cannot accept her as your future wife, Aciel. We cannot gain something from them. There are a lot of girls from respectable families."

Xylia wanted to run away from that place. The old man spoke like she wasn't there. It was clear to her that they wanted a girl from a wealthy family because of money.

"I didn't come here to get your approval. I came here to let you know that she's my girlfriend. And I will marry her whether you like it or not." Aciel answered.

"You bastard! Are you really going to disobey me? How can you make her family agree with your decision?" Luciano shouted.

Aciel laughed. "You know me very well, father. And you're asking me how? Money. I'll buy her."

Luciano frowned. He knew that his son was a billionaire. His wealth came from his mother who had ascended the throne two days ago and Aciel was the only son of the current Queen of Vostrea. So he was given a fortune as part of the royal family.

"You say it like it was that simple. What if her family rejected your offer? And how about the Harlow's? Do you think they will agree with you?" Luciano asked.

"If they don't agree, then let there be war." Aciel grinned.

Luciano shook his head. He could never make Aciel obey him. He was like his mother, Beatrice. So he knew from the beginning that he would lose to his son.

"Are you so in love with her that you are willing to risk everything?" He asked Aciel.

"I'm not in love with her."

Xylia's heart shattered into thousand pieces. She already knew his feelings but hearing them directly from him made her realize how pathetic she was.

But she turned to Aciel when she heard his next words.

"I am obsessed with her."