Chapter 20

Marianne, her face pale, alternately glared at the two. The man before her was Lennox Diorne, the only son of the Duke of the Maritime Kingdom.

“That’s impossible! How did you two end up together?”

“Well.”

For the first time, Harriet felt a sense of empathy for Marianne and was about to say something when the arm around her waist tightened. At the same time, a gentle bite on her left earlobe sent a tingling current from head to toe. Lennox whispered through gritted teeth.

“Foolish and cute. Are you going to end this with embarrassment? Getting caught off guard by your sister who returned after three years?”

The sharp rebuke snapped her eyes wide open. Harriet took a deep breath in secret, turned around, and faced Lennox. Her soft chest pressed against his firm abdomen. His hot, excited breath brushed against her forehead.

The close pair looked perfect, like a painting by an artist. Feeling the piercing stares, Harriet boldly reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“You’re here now, darling?”

The sudden announcement caused a stir among the guests. Harriet, lifting her foot in high heels, bit the ear of the equally audacious man hard. She replied to his slightly frowning face.

“Fine. This time I lost. But if you touch me again without my permission, I’ll cut off your hand.”

“What about a kiss?”

“If you want to die, then by all means… mmm!”

Before she could finish, the man, mocking her warning, roughly pressed his lips against hers. As his tongue invaded like a predator, Harriet helplessly opened her lips.

***

[World-renowned shipping magnate, Frederick Diorne’s heir, Lennox Diorne. Is a wedding with Harriet Vanetti, the eldest daughter of the Vanetti family, imminent!?]

[Femme fatale Harriet Vanetti! This time, her target is the next shipping magnate, Young Master Lennox Diorne?]

[Vanetti Earl’s family and Diorne Duke’s family, aiming for a business agreement tied by a marriage of convenience?”]

Publishers rushed to print morning papers with the thunderous scoop. The articles, although not provocative or sensational, were enough to capture the public’s attention, considering the powerful families involved, especially the Diorne Ducal family.

“Extras! Extras! The much-rumored eldest daughter of the Vanetti Earl’s family, Harriet Vanetti! Wedding imminent!”

“Fresh off the press, aren’t you curious about the engagement news? Only 2 Delerin!”

Boys with worn-out suspenders shouted themselves hoarse, selling newspapers on the street. Passersby, intrigued by last night’s commotion, began to pick up the papers one by one.

“It seems the rumors were true. Harriet Vanetti really extended her reach to the Young Master of the Diorne family this time.”

“Honestly, at this point, it’s impressive. What kind of special charm does she have to attract so many men?”

“Even though the Vanetti Earl family is quite wealthy, it pales in comparison to the globally prestigious Diorne Ducal family. Isn’t this akin to a rise in social status?”

“It seems the two families are planning some grand business venture together. What could it be?”

“Well… ha ha.”

“…”

Starting with the carefree remarks of one person, people who had been cautiously eyeing each other began to leave one by one.

“Oh, I just remembered I have an urgent appointment today. I should head out.”

“Come to think of it, I also have a doctor’s appointment. I should get going before the doctor starts waiting.”

“Ahem. I also have a prior business engagement, so this works out well. I’ll take my leave.”

The moment you hesitate, you lose! As soon as everyone hurriedly left and got into their carriages, they began to move swiftly one by one.

“Send a congratulatory letter and a splendid bouquet to the Vanetti Earl family and the Diorne Ducal family immediately!”

“If the two families are joining forces, they will be unbeatable. We can’t lose to other families. Send the natural pearl necklace from the Blue Peninsula that we acquired yesterday to the Vanetti family, and for the Diorne Ducal family’s congratulatory gift…”

“We can’t fall behind either! Find out what other families are sending first! We must send something more expensive.”

The social circles of the capital were soon competing to offer their congratulations to the two families that would lead the country. The flood of congratulatory cards and gifts was so overwhelming that it became impossible to pass through the front of the Vanetti Earl family’s residence.

Naturally, flowers and gifts were also delivered to Harriet’s private residence and office, and it took several secretaries under her close aide, Yvonne, a day and a half just to sort and organize them.

After three days of continuous gift showers, Harriet finally took special measures.

“Express our gratitude but say we won’t accept anything further. Return everything except the flowers.”

“What? All of these? Returning them will be a hassle too.”

“If we make exceptions, it will cause more problems.”

“What a waste! If you could just give me this one perfume…”

“Yvonne.”

“Yes… I understand. I’ll do as you say.”

Yvonne, raising her hands, shrugged and passed Harriet’s instructions to the subordinate staff.

As the gifts that filled her reception room and office began to disappear one by one, Harriet finally felt like she could breathe again. After sending out the last pair of diamond-studded shoes, Harriet clutched her head with both hands.

“I must have been crazy, falling for that guy’s provocation.”

It was like avoiding the fox only to walk into the tiger’s den. At that time, she only wanted to hit back at Marianne, who had shamelessly returned as if nothing had happened after stealing her fiancé on her wedding day.

The impulsive actions she took then led to the current situation, where everyone was eagerly anticipating her engagement and wedding with Lennox Diorne.

“What are you planning to do now? You announced it in front of all those guests on your birthday.”

Yvonne, who was the only one aware of the entire situation, asked candidly. Harriet, letting out a low groan, slumped over her desk.

“Father looks happier than ever. Mother seems relieved too.”

“Didn’t Lady Margaret’s doctor say her health has stabilized and improved over the past few days? It seems you’ve never been this filial before.”

“Don’t tease me when I’m already in a bad mood.”

That day, after causing the commotion, Lennox Diorne left abruptly due to urgent business. Since then, he had been out of contact, leaving Harriet to face the aftermath alone.

“I guess I’ll have to pretend to date him and then break up. I can’t face both families’ elders to tell them it was all a sham…”

“That’s true. But, senior…”

Yvonne, who had been nodding along, suddenly sparkled with an idea.

“Have you considered actually dating Young Master?”

“What?”

Harriet glared at Yvonne as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have.

“Are you out of your mind? There are things you should and shouldn’t say.”

“No, think about it. There isn’t a man who matches you as well as Young Master. More precisely, there’s no one else who can handle you.”

“What’s your reasoning? Let’s hear it.”

“Firstly, you’ve known each other since childhood, so he understands you well. Plus, he’s friends with Young Master Aaron and has a good relationship with the Earl, so the family would welcome him with open arms.”

“Except for my siblings.”

One of them was Theodore. He said she was putting on a show to get what she wanted because of Father’s orders. The other was Aaron, who got caught between her and those two. The day after the charity and birthday party, Aaron, who showed up at dawn, looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Sister, it’s a lie, right? Please tell me my mind has gone crazy. Please! How could such an absurd thing happen?”

Harriet couldn’t give him any answers. She didn’t know how this situation had come about either. And that was still the case now.

“Why is Young Master Aaron so against it?”

“Well, if you think about it, it’s like you and Aaron suddenly announcing your engagement.”

It was a comment made without much thought, but there was no response. Finding it odd, Harriet looked up. Yvonne, who had been staring blankly, relaxed her expression and changed the subject.

“Then we need to get in touch with Young Master Lennox. Judging by how he dashed out of the charity party, it seemed like an urgent matter.”

“Indeed. Even when I send people, there’s no response.”

The more she thought about it, the more indignant she felt. Although she had foolishly taken the bait that day, it was Lennox Diorne who had cast the line and caused this mess. Yet, she was the only one dealing with the fallout.

“I can’t let this slide. I need to confront him in person. We also need to discuss what to do next.”

It wasn’t the time to worry about pride. The parties involved needed to act before the families met.