Chapter 2

My father's expression darkened.

"Cole, what is the meaning of this? Is a daughter of the Vance family not good enough for you? Are you trying to back out of our alliance?"

Cole’s handsome eyes curled into a mocking sneer as he looked at me.

"Mr. Vance, with all due respect, Vivian is the only woman I will ever marry. Marrying Elena? Absolutely out of the question."

Vivian bit her lower lip, playing the saint.

"Cole! Elena saved your life once. Even if you don't love her, please, marry her for my sake."

If Vivian hadn't brought it up, I would have forgotten.

When we were ten, Cole and I were childhood sweethearts.

We were kidnapped by a rival gang abroad. While escaping, he broke his leg and begged me not to leave him.

Without a second thought, I carried him on my back the entire way, ruining my own health in the process and becoming chronically ill.

Cole looked at Vivian with puppy-dog eyes.

"Vivian, stop always thinking of others. If you hadn't called the rescue team, I would have died out there. You are my real savior."

He then cast a look of pure disgust at me.

"If you hadn't used that 'favor' to cling to me like a leech, Vivian and I would have been married years ago."

Vivian couldn't hide the smug triumph on her face, burying her head against his chest.

I could barely keep myself from rolling my eyes. Coldly, I spoke up:

"Since Vivian is so deeply in love with both of them, why doesn't she just marry them both?"

Vivian's face flushed red with mock embarrassment.

"Elena, what are you talking about? They both want me, who would even want you?"

I slowly stood up.

"I don't choose either of them."

Two sharp glares immediately locked onto me.

Cole’s eyes were filled with smug contempt, as if saying *'as if you even have a choice.'*

Killian’s gaze, however, turned incredibly dark, tracking my every movement as if trying to dissect my soul.

I had no interest in deciphering his thoughts and looked away.

My father slammed his glass onto the table, shattering it.

"Insolent girl!"

"You’re a woman! If you don't marry, what the hell are you going to do?"

I looked my father dead in the eye, my voice firm and unwavering.

"I know our syndicate has been facing a lot of trouble in the outer territories. I'm willing to go to the frontlines to manage the branch and help the family resolve the crisis."