Chapter 3 Against Their Union

"Of course, I'll get married," said Sabrina. "Isn't that what you've been pushing for, that I hurry up and honor the marriage pact?"

She leaned back against the sofa, looking as calm as ever.

Terry's face burned with fury. "Everyone in the elite circle knew you were meant to be Vernon's wife. And now you want to marry his uncle? Do you even care that you're dragging our family's name through the mud?"

Sabrina gave a short laugh. "Why didn't you say that to Theo himself just a moment ago?"

His jaw tightened, but not a word came out. He could not admit that he lacked the courage.

She saw straight through him, every thought laid bare.

Back when her grandfather still lived, her family had stood on equal footing with the Marshall family.

That balance had long since disappeared.

Theo had risen early in his career, proving his sharp instincts in finance. He built the Marshall Group into the leading force in the city, and his personal fortune had already climbed beyond a trillion.

Without the engagement binding them, Sabrina-given her family's dwindling influence-would never have stood a chance at marrying into the Marshall family.

That was why Terry held his tongue. He would not risk provoking Theo.

From here on out, Sabrina had Theo at her side.

"Dad, Theo has already agreed to the marriage," Sabrina responded. "So stop wasting your breath. He prepared gifts worth almost a hundred million. You had better prepare something respectable, to avoid any unwanted gossip about your motives."

Joslyn shot up in protest. "What nonsense! Those so-called gifts were taken back. We never saw a single coin from them."

Sabrina let out a sharp laugh. "Those gifts were for me, not for you. And don't forget, before my mom died, she left me wedding gifts of her own. Or are you planning to steal those from me, too?"

Joslyn faltered, unable to answer.

Lynda snapped, "Raised you for nothing, did we? Every penny we ever gained from her was spent on you. We don't have anything left to give."

"Is that so?" Sabrina pushed herself to her feet and walked straight toward her. "Because I know what's in your jewelry box. The diamond necklace, the emerald bracelet, and the two antique porcelains sitting in your room-they were all my mom's. Whatever you took, you'll hand back."

Lynda's face twisted as she jabbed her finger at her. "How dare you sneak into my room! You're nothing but a motherless bitch, clinging to a man much older than you. Vernon was the match you should've wanted. Everyone whispers that Theo can't even perform as a man, and yet you're throwing yourself at him? Disgraceful."

The moment the words left her mouth, Sabrina's hand came down across her face with a resounding slap.

With Theo as her backer, she would no longer swallow her anger in silence. "You're the love child of a mistress. Don't you dare talk about my mom. If Vernon appeals to you so much, then chase after him yourself. Don't think I don't know about you slipping money to his secretary just so she can seduce him. And say what you like about Theo, even if he had flaws, he's still leagues above a filthy womanizer like Vernon. When Theo learns you guys have been scheming your way into the Marshall Group, you'll be the one to pay the price."

Lynda's hand covered her burning cheek as her eyes widened, stunned that Sabrina had struck her down so bluntly.

For years, she had plotted, throwing Emeline into Vernon's path just to ruin Sabrina's chances at happiness. But Theo's knowledge of it would destroy everything. That could never happen.

Joslyn suddenly gasped and pressed a hand to her chest. Tears welled up as she turned to Terry, her voice trembling. "After all this time, she still brands me a mistress. I can bear her cruelty, but if she twists things between us and the Marshalls, how will we ever face them once the marriage goes through?"

Her plea pierced straight into Terry's greatest fear. His jaw tightened, and the weight of it shadowed his features.

The union of Sabrina and Theo could not be allowed to happen!

"Guards!" Terry's voice boomed across the room. "Seize her. Lock her in her room, and no one opens that door until I say so."