Chapter 7

• Liza’s POV
• “Young Master, save me! Please!” Jane screamed, scurrying to her feet and pleading with Gavin.
• Gavin leaned lazily against the banister, a sinister smirk on his lips. “Save you? I do not think you need any saving.”
• I almost snorted at his indifference.
• Shouldn't he be mad at me for hurting his housekeeper? Perhaps, he heard every bit of our conversation and he was on my side.
• It made me feel a flare of pride in my chest.
• Gavin stepped down from the staircase and motioned for the other servants to carry Jane away. “She has overstepped her role. She should be the one you throw out!”
• When Jane was hauled out, the tension in the room subsided, as his gaze met with mine.
• “What are you doing downstairs at this time?” He inquired, his tone lighter.
• “I'm hungry,” I told him, my stomach grumbling instantly.
• Gavin chuckled softly. “I'll have the kitchen prepare dinner. Is there anything you don't like eating?”
• I shook my head. “No preference.”
• He nodded in approval. “That makes you easier to feed.”
• I realized Gavin had thick, black brows for the first time since we met. When he narrowed them slightly, they were a set of stunning peach-blossom eyes, full of attraction and gave me a sensation of warmth.
• I rolled my eyes at him, making my way to the dinner area without saying anything further.
• Ten minutes later, an assortment of elegantly plated food was delivered to the table. Each dish seemed to have been meticulously made.
• I took a little mouthful, but the usual bitterness spread quickly on my tongue. No matter how beautiful the food appeared, it's taste remained consisted, just as I expected.
• I watched Gavin eat without noticing a thing, as he sat across from me. His perfectly carved hands moved with effortless ease while holding his chopsticks.
• Finally, he noticed my prolonged stare and broke the stillness of the moment. “Are you okay?”
• I stare at his face, my gaze flickering to his pink, soft lips. Then I nodded.
• “Does looking at my face or lip increase your appetite?”
• I leaned back slightly and said with feign seriousness. “Looking at your lips isn't enough. I supposed I should kiss it.”
• His jaws dropped at my word.
• I smiled.
• He grabbed a napkin and cleaned his mouth slowly. “I have to say, I am curious. Are you normally so bold with everyone?”
• “Of course not,” I replied with all honesty, as I returned his gaze. “You're different.”
• I was supposed to tell him I have never met anyone like him; someone who brought such a rare sweetness to my rather cruel life.
• “Different?” He raised a brow in question and then the corner of his mouth lifted in a small small. “Is this your way of confessing to me?”
• I titled my head, puzzled a little. “Confessing? How did you come to that conclusion?”
• He didn't answer me but the smirk never left his face.
• “I'm not confessing anything,” I explained. “I truly liked your lips because it tasted sweet.”
• He seemed briefly taken back for a moment.
• Instinctively, I rose to leave, pushing my food away and heading to the third floor without looking back.
• When I get to the bedroom, the faint sound of my phone buzzing on the coffee table caught my attention. I stepped towards the table and saw the caller ID.
• I smile and picked up before moving to the balcony.
• “Liza, are you dead or what? Why aren't you answering or returning my calls?” Brandon’s voice was filled with venom and hatred.
• He didn't wait for my response as he continued his tirade. “As much as I wish you'd die and take my unborn boy with you, I'm not going to let you off so easy. No, I will make you suffer! I will show you what it means to face a fate worse than death. You'll pay for upsetting the Stone family and what you've done to my child!”
• I stand, listening to the weight of his words pierce the still night air. When he didn't say more, I demanded. “What exactly are you going to do to me? Go on, tell me.”
• His voice became dark and aggressive. “Do you believe I'll let you get your hands on Sinclair Corporation shares? Not a chance. I'll make sure you don't see a penny. Do you recall what it was like to live in the slum? Wasn't it thought? Especially after experiencing the luxuries of the high life. If I throw you back there, will you break and beg me like a dog, to let you live?”
• I hesitated, considering the topic before responding as a matter-of-factly. “No.”
• The truth was my existence in the slum had been much more serene and rewarding than my current situation.
• Brandon realized he wasn’t getting me with that threat because he was suddenly speechless.
• “Is this the reason why you phoned me? Merely to spew this nonsense?”
• “Certainly not!” He snapped, regaining his tone. “The encounter between you and Serena earlier today was captured on camera. The photographs have already gone viral online. Serena is being referred to as a manipulative liar and both the Sinclair and the Stone families’ stock prices are falling. You should make a public statement. Say it was entirely your fault and that you were unreasonable and attempting to force your way into marriage with me. Serena is the true victim here; everything she did was to keep you safe.”
• So this was it. Protect me? I nearly chuckled at the foolishness.
• “How exactly did Serena protect me if I may ask? Let us be honest, Brandon. Twisting the truth is one thing, but you just acknowledge how absurd and nasty your argument is. Do you really think I am stupid enough to buy this bullshit?!”
• “Don't call me names, Liza,” he warned with a dark tone. “Aren't you part of the Sinclair family? Isn't it your job to step in when the family is in trouble? I am merely asking you to make a statement. I'm not asking you to lose weight or anything impossible. What's so hard about that?”
• I leaned on the balcony railing, tilting my head slightly. “Yes I am from the Sinclair family but not that Sinclair family. From the onset, I owed nothing to Serena or her family. Her mother murdered my mother, and seized the role of the Sinclair family's eldest young Miss, which originally belonged to me. Everything they currently own does not belong to them. I'll take it all back, piece by piece!”
• Brandon’s voice soared with surprise. “Liza, are you insane? Serena has done more than enough for you! She even offered to hand me over to you!”
• I chuckled gently, greatly amused at his statement of being handed over to me “Give you to me? As a gift, I supposed? Don't flatter yourself, Brandon. Nothing about you is worth having.”
• Without waiting for him to answer, I disconnected the call.