Chapter 4

We had just drawn apart when the butler announced that Mr. Thorne and his son had arrived. Liam’s gaze sharpened instantly. "Should I leave?"

"No," I said, gripping his hand. "I want you here."

When Mr. Thorne and his son stepped into the foyer, the air instantly grew heavy. The moment Lucian saw Liam, his face went white, then rapidly flushed with anger. "Blackwood? When did you get back?"

Liam offered a polite smile. "A few days ago. I heard you were to marry Elara, and I thought I should return to offer my congratulations. But now, it seems, the situation has changed."

Lucian’s eyes darted between me and Liam, his voice thick with fury. "So, this is why you refused me? Because this man, who vanished for five years, suddenly reappeared?"

"Let's talk in the study," I said, maintaining my composure. "This isn't a discussion for the foyer."

In the study, the atmosphere grew even more tense.

Mr. Thorne cleared his throat and began his meticulously prepared speech.

"Mr. Vance, our two families share a long and distinguished history. This marriage is not merely the union of two young individuals, but an alliance between our two great families."

"Elara's sudden decision to cancel the engagement, I fear, is somewhat emotional and could potentially harm the long-term interests of both parties."

"Mr. Thorne," I interrupted him, "I understand your concerns, but my decision is based on facts, not emotions."

I took out the prepared folder and pushed it to the center of the table. "Here is some information you might find interesting."

When Mr. Thorne opened the folder, his expression grew increasingly grim. The photos showed Lucian and Chloe intimately interacting in various settings; bank records revealed how he had embezzled company funds; and there was even what appeared to be a DNA test report for a child they might have had together.

"This... this can't be possible." Mr. Thorne looked at his son, his voice trembling. "Lucian, is this true?"

Lucian's face turned pale. He turned to me. "You had me followed? You don't have that right!"

"This wasn't tailing you, Lucian," I replied calmly. "This was a necessary investigation to protect my father and the Vance Group. You embezzled the funds my father invested in your company, and that constitutes fraud."

"You bitch!"Lucian suddenly shot up. "Who do you think you are? Without me, you're nothing but a spoiled rich girl!"

Liam shot to his feet, his body leaning slightly forward. He hadn’t made a physical move, yet his stance was an undeniable threat: "Watch your words, Thorne."

"And you!" Lucian whirled on Liam. "You're nothing but an opportunist, swooping in to take advantage now that I'm out of the picture!"

"Enough!" Mr. Thorne snapped, embarrassment and anger warring on his face. "Lucian, sit down!"

He turned to my father and me. "Mr. Vance, Miss Elara, I sincerely apologize for my son's behavior. These... these allegations, I'll need time to investigate."

"There's nothing to investigate, Mr. Thorne," I said. "The facts are plain to see. You can choose to accept them, or you can choose to deny them. But if you try to cover this up, we'll consider publishing this information on the front page of The New York Times tomorrow."

My words landed like a bombshell.

"You wouldn't dare," Lucian said through gritted teeth, "This won't do the Vance Group any good either."

"Perhaps," I said, "but the public will know the truth. They'll see who betrayed whom, and who tried to use a marriage to save their own failing company."

Mr. Thorne's face grew deathly pale. He had always prided himself on his business ethics, but now he discovered that his son had not only betrayed his fiancée but had also embezzled company funds.

"We... we'll leave," he said with difficulty. "As for this information, I hope it can be kept private."

"As long as you stop bothering me and my family from now on," I said, "this information will never be made public."

Mr. Thorne nodded, but Lucian refused to back down. "You'll regret this, Elara! Without me, you're nothing! Without the Thorne family's support, the Vance Group will suffer too!"

Liam stepped forward, positioning himself in front of me. "I suggest you shut up and leave now. Otherwise, you'll soon find out who will be the one regretting this."

Lucian still wanted to speak, but his father grabbed his arm. "Enough, Lucian. We’re leaving."

As they left the room, Lucian turned, the hatred in his eyes sending a chill of pure dread through me. "This isn’t over, Elara," he vowed. "You will return to my side. Whatever the cost."