Chapter 3 Forcing Her To Marry Into The Clark Family

As Lainey's voice trailed off, her gaze swept over the Shaw family members gathered behind her.

That was when Adelina realized Lainey hadn't been alone-her parents and a handful of relatives were all here for the same reason: to make her marry into the Clark family in Lainey's place.

Every face wore a mask of concern, voices overlapping in practiced persuasion. "Adelina, be sensible. Lainey has suffered for twenty years in your stead. The least you can do is return the favor and take her place in this marriage to the Clark family."

"Think about it," another chimed in. "Becoming Bruce's wife guarantees you a life of wealth and security."

"That's right," someone else added with a condescending tilt of the head. "Your birth mother was just a servant. Without this marriage, your future doesn't look bright."

At last, Lainey's father, Michael Shaw, rose from his seat with the air of a man sealing a deal. "The Shaw family raised you for two decades," he declared. "Now it's time for you to repay that debt. You'll marry Bruce for Lainey."

His domineering tone left no room to argue. Around him, the gathered relatives exchanged smug glances, their smiles practically dripping with self-satisfaction. "This really is for the best," someone chimed in approvingly.

Once Adelina became Bruce's wife, the Shaw family would reap enormous benefits. Their company had been bleeding money for two straight years, but with the Clark family's investment, they could not only steady the ship-they might even claw their way into high society.

But Adelina's lips curved in a bitter sneer. Everyone in Zaivine knew Bruce's reputation. The man was a spoiled heir with a vicious streak, notorious for the cruel games he played with women.

To marry him would be like walking into a gilded cage where every bar cut deep.

"I'm not doing it," she stated in an even tone, her words slicing through the tension in the room.

"You ungrateful brat!" Michael roared, shocked that the usually compliant Adelina dared defy him. In a fit of rage, he grabbed a porcelain cup from the table and hurled it in her direction.

The cup hit her arm with a sharp sting and exploded against the floor. Color drained from her face as she instinctively lifted her arm to check for bruises, but before she could move, Michael's palm came swinging toward her.

Adelina squeezed her eyes shut.

She braced for the slap's burning impact-only to hear Lainey's syrupy voice cut through the air. "Dad, don't hit her."

"Why are you stopping me?" Michael barked, his face flushed with fury.

Lainey tilted her head sweetly, her voice dripping with false concern. "If you leave a mark on her face, Bruce won't be satisfied with such a flawed woman."

For a fleeting second, Adelina thought Lainey was showing mercy-until the cruelty laced beneath those gentle words sank in like a knife.

Michael's anger ebbed, and he reached out to ruffle Lainey's hair with fatherly indulgence. "You're absolutely right, sweetheart. The Clark family won't accept damaged goods."

Lainey leaned into his touch, her voice sweet as honey. "I knew you'd understand, Dad. You're the best."

Their easy intimacy only drove the point deeper-it was as if Adelina existed merely as a pawn, called upon when convenient and discarded when her purpose was served.

Disgust rising in her chest, Adelina pivoted sharply and strode toward the hallway.

Lainey trailed after her, feigning fragile innocence even as menace threaded her words. "Walking out of the house now means walking away from everything you've ever had. Don't forget, Adelina-your birth mother was just a servant here. Without us, you and she wouldn't last a day out there."

Michael's voice boomed from behind, hurling accusations of Adelina's ingratitude, painting a picture of her future as a castoff with nowhere to go but the streets.

A sharp laugh slipped from Adelina's lips as she quickened her steps, refusing to dignify their words with a single glance.

So what if her mother had once been a servant?

Who decided she couldn't build a future without the Shaw family?

She flagged down a cab and rode straight to the City Hall, arriving exactly at ten, just as she'd arranged with the man.

At the entrance, her gaze snagged on a striking figure dressed in black.

The man stood beneath the sunlight, the sharp lines of his dark, tailored suit traced by a faint golden halo. Every inch of him radiated quiet power and precise control, as if the world itself paused around his presence.

An unmistakable air of poise and effortless elegance surrounded him.

For a heartbeat, Adelina found herself frozen in place, fingers curling into the fabric of her sleeve.

An unfamiliar flutter rippled through her chest. Was this man truly about to become her husband?

There was no denying it-his looks and bearing were striking, almost too polished.

He had clearly taken care to present himself well today.

If she hadn't stumbled upon that hotel staff badge earlier, she might have easily believed Colton was a high-ranking executive walking straight out of a glossy magazine spread.