Call Off The Engagement

Rueben's jaw tightened as he observed his daughter's defiant posture, his eyes narrowing in frustration. 'This little brat is going to ruin everything with her ill-mannered behavior.' His fingers clenched into fists at his sides. 'If she messes this up, I swear she'll regret it.'

Across the room, Mr. Clavette struggled to suppress his laughter, his lips twitching with amusement. He had known Khalia since she was a child, and he could tell exactly what she was doing. 'Miss Khalia is something else.' He thought with a smirk. 'They'll definitely reject her after she's finished with them.'

Meanwhile, Khalia, entirely unbothered by the tension crackling in the air, plucked a delicate pastry from the silver tray on the table. She took an exaggerated bite, chewing obnoxiously as she leaned back into the couch with practiced ease.

"So, what do you want to talk about, Grandpa?" She asked, her voice deliberately casual as she wiped her fingers on a napkin.

She didn't wait for an answer before stuffing another large piece of pastry into her mouth. "Why do you need me?" She mumbled, speaking through a mouthful of food.

Leo Roberts and Rueben nearly recoiled in disgust, their expressions stiff with barely concealed disapproval.

Warren, however, only chuckled under his breath. He had always known Khalia to be headstrong, but watching her deliberately sabotage this arrangement amused him more than it should have. Mr. Clavette, standing silently by his side, turned his head away slightly to avoid laughing outright.

Logan, on the other hand, had been observing her closely. He saw through her act immediately. She wasn't just rebellious she was tactical. Every move was calculated to drive him away. 'Smart girl.' He mused. 'But that only makes this more interesting.'

Without missing a beat, Logan reached forward, plucking a napkin from the table. He leaned in slightly, intending to wipe the crumbs from the corner of her mouth.

The moment his hand neared her face, Khalia's grip was like lightning. She caught his wrist, twisting it with a sharp, precise motion.

A sharp cry of pain escaped Logan's lips as he instinctively recoiled. The sudden pressure in his wrist sent a jolt up his arm.

"Don't touch me." Khalia said icily, her hazel eyes locking onto his with pure defiance. She released his hand with a flick of her wrist, throwing it away as if it were something repulsive.

Logan cradled his hand, his brows furrowing in surprise. He rubbed his wrist, testing the soreness as he processed what had just happened. 'How the hell is she so strong?' He thought he could handle her, but now he wasn't so sure. 'I might be way out of my league here.'

Rueben, his face flushed with fury, shot up from his seat. His voice thundered through the room.

"Khalia, what are you doing?!" He bellowed. "How dare you hurt Mr. Roberts?"

Khalia, completely unfazed, turned her attention away from her father and looked directly at her grandfather. Her expression was firm, her voice unwavering.

"Grandpa, you told me I had until twenty-three to get married." She reminded him. "I do not want to marry this man. Call off the engagement, please."

Warren studied her, his expression unreadable, though there was the faintest flicker of pride in his eyes at her determination. Rueben, still fuming, refused to let the conversation end there.

"You little brat." He spat. "How dare you? Logan came here personally with Mr. Roberts to accept the marriage arrangement. They've already set a date for the wedding!"

Khalia turned to her father, her expression cool and sharp, her hazel eyes narrowing slightly.

"That's great." She said dryly, pausing for effect. Then, with a slow smirk, she added. "Then I'm sure Emily will be thrilled."

Silence fell over the room. Leo's head snapped toward his son, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Emily Austin?" He repeated. He turned to Rueben, his voice cutting through the heavy air. "Isn't that your youngest daughter?"

Rueben's face paled slightly, his mind racing. 'This little brat…' He clenched his jaw. 'How does she know about Emily and Logan?'

Before he could speak, Warren stood up, his authoritative presence instantly drawing everyone's attention.

"Leo." He began smoothly, his voice measured and firm. "My granddaughter is still being a bit rebellious. That's why I told her she could wait until she was twenty-three to get married. If she does, the engagement will be off."

Leo's lips pressed into a thin line, his expression unreadable.

"So as of now." Warren continued, his tone final. "Khalia won't be getting married." He glanced at Rueben, daring him to challenge his decision. "I'll let you know if anything changes."

A brief pause, then Warren added casually. "By the way, Khalia will be going to college."

Khalia turned to her grandfather, her expression softening slightly. 'Thank you, grandpa.'. She thought silently.

Rueben, however, stood stiffly, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. 'This isn't over.'

Leo offered a reassuring smile, though there was an unmistakable gleam of calculation in his eyes. He leaned back slightly, crossing one leg over the other as he spoke.

"Warren, I understand, my friend. And don't worry I will sort out this little issue with your youngest granddaughter and my son." Leo said smoothly, his tone laced with confidence.

Warren's expression darkened instantly. His gaze snapped to Rueben, his piercing glare filled with anger and disgust. His voice, when he spoke, was sharp as a blade.

"I only have one grandchild, and that is Khalia. No other." The room fell into stunned silence.

Leo and Logan exchanged bewildered glances. 'What does he mean, only one grandchild?' They had both assumed Warren acknowledged Rueben's other daughter, Emily, but his words made it clear he did not.

Before anyone could dwell on the weight of Warren's declaration, Khalia's voice cut through the silence.

"Grandpa, can I leave now?" She asked, her tone light, as if she hadn't just caused an uproar moments ago.

Warren turned to her, his expression softening slightly. He gave a firm nod of approval.

A cheerful smile spread across Khalia's lips, and without another word, she turned on her heel and hurried out of the room.

Leo, sensing the tension, shifted the conversation away from the engagement, speaking of more neutral matters. Logan listened but barely paid attention, his mind occupied with his own thoughts.

'I guess we'll have to wait until she's twenty-three.' He mused, fingers tapping idly against his knee. 'No problem. If this is what my Emily wants, I'll make sure she gets it.'

Meanwhile, Rueben sat stiffly, seething beneath his composed exterior. His plan wasn't going the way he had envisioned, and Warren's declaration had been a direct blow. He would have to adjust.

Once Khalia left the room, she wasted no time making her way to her bedroom, closing the door firmly behind her.

She leaned against the wood for a moment, her mind racing. 'Any other man would've been disgusted by the way I acted just now, but not Logan.' Her brows furrowed. 'Something is up. I need to find out what.'

Pushing off the door, she strode toward her desk, where a simple white porcelain cup sat untouched. Without hesitation, she picked it up and flipped it over, tapping the bottom against the wooden surface in a specific sequence.

The moment the sequence was complete, the cup began to glow, a brilliant golden light spilling across the dimly lit room. The air shimmered, and from the radiant glow emerged a young man.

He was tall, his muscular frame accentuated by a dark blue tailored suit that hugged his broad shoulders and tapered down to a slim waist. His dark brown hair was perfectly styled, complementing his striking brown eyes that held a quiet intensity. His features were sharp and chiseled, sculpted to perfection.

As soon as he fully materialized, he bowed slightly, his movements smooth and practiced.

"What can I do for you, young miss?" He asked, his voice calm and unwavering.

Khalia wasted no time. "My father and Logan Roberts are up to something." She stated, folding her arms. "I want to know what it is as soon as possible."

The young man straightened, his golden eyes gleaming with understanding. "Yes, young miss. I'll get on it immediately."

Before he could turn to leave, he hesitated for a moment, then asked. "Young miss, is this about the engagement?"

Khalia nodded, her expression serious.

"Yes." She admitted. "I want to know what they're planning. Logan seemed far too eager for this marriage, and I want to know why." Her jaw tightened slightly as she added. "The last time I checked, he was in love with my sister."

The young man inclined his head in acknowledgment. "I'll find out everything, young miss." He assured her.

Khalia's fingers tapped against her forearm as she nodded. "Good."