Meeting The Family

Rueben's sudden laughter cut through the heavy atmosphere, shattering Logan's thoughts. Logan turned to face him, his brows knitting in confusion.

"Congratulations, Logan! You do deserve to marry my daughter." Rueben said, his voice filled with a strange mix of amusement and satisfaction. He extended his hand toward Logan. "I will be happy to call you my son-in-law."

Logan hesitated before finally shaking Rueben's hand, though his grip was tense, and his confusion remained. What the hell is going on? Was this some kind of test?

His thoughts were interrupted as Rueben's voice took on a more serious tone.

"I will give you my blessing to marry my Emily." He said, his gaze sharpening. "But first, you will have to marry Khalia and gain her inheritance. I cannot leave my Emily stranded without assets or wealth."

Logan swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. His pulse pounded in his ears as he looked at Rueben. "But sir." He said, forcing himself to keep his voice steady. "I don't love Khalia. I'm in love with Emily."

Rueben waved off his words with a dismissive smirk. "I know." He said, as if Logan's love for Emily was merely a trivial detail. "And that is exactly why you are perfect for this plan. Our family must secure that inheritance or at least half of it. If you help us with this, you can marry Emily." He leaned back, his eyes narrowing slightly. "If not…" Rueben trailed off, letting the weight of the unspoken threat settle between them.

Logan felt his stomach twist. His gaze flickered at Emily, searching for any sign of hesitation, any sign that she would object to this scheme. But all he saw was a sorrowful, apologetic look in her eyes.

'He wants me to marry one daughter just to win the one I truly love. Can I do it? Can I marry Khalia and take all her fortune?'

His heart clenched painfully as he turned back to Emily, his mind made up in an instant. 'I would do anything for you, Emily. Anything.'

Taking a deep breath, Logan squared his shoulders, his voice firm and unwavering as he spoke the words that would seal his fate.

"I will do anything for Emily." He said, his expression unreadable. "What's the plan?"

Rueben let out a satisfied laugh, clapping Logan on the shoulder. "I knew I liked you." He said with approval.

Logan sank back into his chair, his body tense, but his resolve solidified as Rueben leaned forward, his voice lowering as he began to explain the intricate plan that would change all their lives forever.

A week later, Khalia arrived home, stepping through the grand entrance of the Austin estate, only to find her living room filled with strangers. Her hazel eyes scanned the room, instantly recognizing the guests. Sitting comfortably, engaged in conversation, were Logan Roberts, his father, Leo Roberts, and her own father, Rueben, who was speaking animatedly with her grandfather, Warren Austin.

Her heart sank. She had no doubt why they were here. Suppressing her irritation, Khalia squared her shoulders and gracefully walked toward her grandfather, who sat in his usual armchair. She positioned herself beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder before leaning down slightly.

"Hello, Grandfather." She greeted him, offering him a polite smile. "What's the occasion?"

Warren glanced up at her, his expression tinged with an unspoken apology. There was something in his eyes, guilt, perhaps? But why?

"Well." He began, sighing lightly. "This is Logan Roberts and his father, Leo Roberts. They came by to see you."

Khalia turned her gaze toward the three men, her expression unreadable. Her hazel eyes locked onto Logan's for a moment before flickering back to her grandfather.

"Well, sorry, I can't join you. I'm busy today." She said, her voice even and unwavering. Without another glance, she leaned down to kiss Warren's cheek before turning on her heel to leave.

She had barely taken three steps when a sharp voice rang out.

"Stop!"

Khalia didn't flinch. She knew that voice all too well, Rueben's. And just as she always did, she ignored it. She had no interest in whatever this was.

Leo Roberts, watching the exchange, narrowed his eyes as Khalia walked away so dismissively. 'This girl was very ill-mannered.' He thought, his expression hardening. 'If it weren't for her status and her family's wealth, I wouldn't even consider her as a daughter-in-law.'

Logan, however, saw something entirely different. His lips curled into a smirk as he observed her indifference. 'She doesn't care.' He mused. 'That means she doesn't want to marry me just as much as I don't want to marry her. Interesting.'

Just as Khalia reached the doorway, a figure stepped in front of her, blocking her exit. She halted abruptly, her gaze lifting to meet the apologetic eyes of Mr. Clavette blocked her way, making it impossible for her to leave.

Khalia's heart clenched. 'Of course.'

She darted a desperate glance at him, her hazel eyes silently pleading for him to move aside. What she didn't realize was that the moment she had turned her back, Warren had given a small, almost imperceptible nod to Mr. Clavette, instructing him to stop her.

"Uncle James." She whispered, using the name she had called him since childhood.

Mr. Clavette sighed, his voice filled with regret. "I'm sorry, Miss Austin."

Khalia's shoulders slumped. Defeated. Behind her, Warren's voice rang out, firm but kind. "Khali, please come and sit."

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, steadying herself. 'There's no getting out of this.'

With a quiet exhale, she straightened her posture, smoothing her expression into one of composed indifference. When she turned around, her voice was calm, but there was an undeniable edge to it.

"Yes, Grandfather."

Khalia walked back toward the group, her strides slow and deliberate. Warren gestured toward the empty seat next to Logan, silently instructing her to sit beside him.

Her eyes flickered at Logan for the briefest second before she sighed internally. 'Fine. If they want to force this meeting, let's make sure it ends the way I want it to.'

A wicked smirk ghosted her lips as an idea took root in her mind. 'By the time I'm done, Logan Roberts won't want to marry me at all.'

With that thought, she made a show of folding her legs onto the couch, tucking both feet up onto the cushions in a completely unrefined and improper manner. It was a blatant display of casual defiance.

Logan's dark eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched her. 'Hmm. I see what you're doing.'

He leaned slightly forward, his smirk deepening. 'Playing hard to get, are we?'

Leo, on the other hand, frowned at Khalia's behavior, his irritation barely masked. To him, it was further proof that she lacked the grace and refinement expected of someone in her position.

Warren simply shook his head, letting out a quiet sigh as he observed his granddaughter's antics. 'This girl… she's willing to embarrass herself just to drive this boy away. She really doesn't want to marry him.'

A reluctant smile tugged at the corners of his lips. 'Perhaps it's time to call off the engagement after all.'