Chapter 8 The Secret Behind the Engagement

• Kayden frowned and said, "Madam Alice, this engagement belongs to Carolyn."
• This was the number one prestigious Lu family they were talking about. How could they just give it away like that? It wasn't fair to Carol.
• "This isn't your place to speak," Alice snapped. "It's settled. John, take them to settle in and explain the rules here."
• Alice was too angry to even look at Carolyn anymore.
• Helen exchanged a glance with her mother, Ruby. They had succeeded.
• Carolyn acted as though she didn't see any of their scheming and followed the butler upstairs to the guest room.
• Kayden, looking troubled, said, "Carolyn, this is too unfair to you."
• "It's fine," Carolyn replied.
• She wasn't interested in marrying a man she didn't know or like just because of some engagement. It was better to end it.
• "But if you let this happen, the second branch will look down on the first branch. People outside will definitely laugh at your brother and the others, saying even an engagement was snatched by the second branch. After all, it's the prestigious Holman family."
• Carolyn furrowed her brows. Would they really look down on her brothers?
• If that was the case, it would be troublesome.
• Should she refuse, refuse, or… refuse?
• ---
• The next morning, everyone gathered for breakfast.
• The long table was filled with food.
• "Carolyn, this is top-quality truffle, flown in just this morning. You've probably never tried it before. Have a taste," Helen said as she enthusiastically introduced the expensive and luxurious breakfast, clearly treating Carolyn as if she were some country bumpkin who had never seen the finer things in life.
• Carolyn only smiled faintly and remained silent.
• However, Jaylee couldn't hold back. "Miss Helen is so considerate, teaching us how to eat these things. Carol, this girl, was spoiled growing up, so her personality became odd, and she doesn't talk much."
• "Eat more, Aunt Jaylee," Helen said, her eyes flashing with pride. No matter what, she was the high and mighty young lady, and Carolyn was just a girl from the countryside.
• Alice was growing more and more displeased with Carolyn. The thought of Carolyn embarrassing herself in public made her lose her appetite entirely.
• "When we go to the Holman family later, don't say a word if you don't know how to speak properly. Don't embarrass me."
• Alice slammed down her chopsticks, too angry to eat.
• Kayden wanted to argue, but his wife stopped him. "You shouldn't meddle. Miss Helen is high above, unlike our Carol. Besides, Carolyn doesn't deserve a marriage like that. It's better to let Miss Helen have it."
• Carolyn remained calm, though her eyes flashed with a hint of hesitation.
• Should she refuse the engagement?
• Alice soon emerged in an elegant dress, looking at Carolyn's casual attire and frowning. "Didn't anyone prepare clothes for her?"
• "Come on, Helen is the main focus today. Let Carolyn wear whatever she wants," Ruby said, not wanting Carolyn to look too good and create any unexpected problems at the Holman family's estate.
• Alice thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. She snorted at Carolyn and left.
• Helen, dressed in a custom designer gown, looked elegant and graceful. In comparison, Carolyn seemed plain.
• Kayden sighed. "Carol, just be mindful when we get to the Holman family."
• He couldn't go with them, and with the older brothers nowhere to be found, there was nothing he could do to stop any of this.
• Both girls were from the Burke family, so why should such a good marriage be handed to the cousin?
• Carolyn obediently nodded and followed Alice into the car.
• —
• At that moment, in the Holman family study...
• Kevin had a stern expression. "Pick one!"
• "I refuse!"
• Cyrus responded seriously, "I came back because you said you wanted to cancel the engagement."
• And yet, here he was, facing a pile of gifts, jewelry, and princess dolls—all intended for him to choose from and give to his fiancée from the Burke family.
• This didn't feel like they were canceling an engagement at all!
• Kevin, caught red-handed, replied unapologetically, "The engagement hasn't been called off yet, so what's the harm in sending a gift? At this rate, you're bound to end up a bachelor."
• Kevin continued to ramble on, and Cyrus, appearing as calm as a monk, listened without reaction, not even raising an eyebrow.
• After a long while, when Kevin had finished his tea, he finally sighed and said, "I won't live much longer. My only wish is to see you married and holding a little great-grandchild in my arms. Can't you fulfill this small wish for me?"
• "You're still full of energy when you're scolding me, so I doubt you're near the end." Cyrus spoke in a flat tone, even refilling his grandfather's teacup.
• "Hmph! You'll be the death of me. One of these days, you'll drive me to an early grave."
• "I recall you saying something similar to my second brother last time, Grandpa. You sure have a lot of final wishes."
• Kevin, caught once again, flushed with embarrassment and barked, "I don't care! The Burke family is coming today. If you dare agree to cancel the engagement, I'll—I'll go on a hunger strike!"
• "Suit yourself."
• "And I'll post on Facebook, telling everyone how ungrateful you are, mistreating your kind and loving grandpa."
• Cyrus: "..."
• Grandpa, you're making it hard to believe in your kindness.
• Finally, he raised his eyes and said, "If you want my cooperation, tell me why you're so set on me marrying a Bai family girl."
• "The Burke family is one of the four big families, you know. It's a strategic marriage."
• "The Burke family has more than one daughter. Kevin has two sons, and the one currently leading the family is the second son. His daughter would be a more suitable match. So why Carolyn?"
• Kevin snorted. "You and Carol were betrothed as babies. Back then, who knew they'd divide the family later?"
• "Grandpa, don't take me for a fool. You've only ever mentioned this ‘childhood betrothal.' I've never heard anyone else bring it up before."
• In other words, he wasn't buying it.
• There had to be another reason.
• Kevin clammed up, realizing his grandson was getting harder to manipulate.
• "Are you going to tell me, or should I just refuse?"
• Cyrus set his teacup down, ready to leave. From behind, he heard his grandfather's voice: "Stop right there, you ungrateful brat."
• "Will you tell me now?"
• He turned slightly, his handsome features as calm and collected as ever. He looked like a model student, but it was all an act.
• In the Holman family, Cyrus was the most disobedient of all.
• Yet, despite his frustration, Kevin had no choice but to love him.
• "Cough, cough. You know about the secret the four big families are protecting, right?"
• "Yes, you've mentioned it."
• Half an hour later, Cyrus left the study, his expression unusually serious.
• "Cyrus, what did your grandfather say? Don't be upset, we can talk some sense into him," a beautiful middle-aged woman approached, looking concerned.
• "Mom, I'm fine."
• Cyrus frowned, clearly making some important decision.
• "If you don't agree with the engagement, your father and I will go speak to the Burke family. There's no one in that family worth dealing with."
• "I've agreed."
• Both his parents exchanged shocked glances. He had agreed?