Chapter 2

"Is that her?"

"The top student who cheated?"

"How shameless. She acts all high and mighty as if she was the best, but she was just the top student because of cheating."

"If that was me, I wouldn't show my face at school anymore!"

Via bit her lips after hearing the students's murmurs. They did not even know who she was and yet they were saying all kinds of things about her.

"Should I just shut their mouths? How dare they talk behind your back? They used to look up and respect you!" Cassie, her best friend, said in an annoyed tone. "These people who don't have anything good to do should just shut up!"

"Don't mind them, Cassie. It's fine. It's my fault anyway," Via calmed her down.

"How is it your fault? Was it you who wrote the note? Did you even look at it? You don't even know the content of the paper!"

She appreciated that her best friend was getting mad in her place, but she also knew that being angry would not help. Truth be told, she wanted to disappear. She felt like what happened was irredeemable. She could not go back to how it was before so there was no point in trying to endure.

Her phone vibrated and she was surprised when she saw that it was her father who sent her a message.

Come with me after school. We're going to a meeting.

Via could not understand what was going on but she was sure of one thing-- her father was giving her chance. It was very unusual of him to involve her with business matters that was why it was a huge opportunity for her. Especially since she let him down with the current scandal.

She could not stop herself from smiling as soon as she put her phone back to her pocket. Was the cheating scandal a blessing in disguise? Why did her father had a change of heart out of the blue?

"Did something good happen? You're smiling from ear to ear," Cassie noticed when she saw Via's smile. Earlier, her expression seemed like she was carrying the burden of the whole world. But after reading the message she received, her expression brightened.

"My Dad told me to come with him in a business meeting," she could not hide her smile even though she was embarrassed. She was truly happy with the sudden turn of events.

"That's good for you! I think your dad is giving you a chance to redeem yourself after what happened. Though it was not your fault to begin with."

Via laughed at her friend's remarks. Though she was uncomfortable all throughout the time she spent at school, her excitement for the meeting overcame whatever negative feelings she had earlier.

She felt as if she was walking on clouds as she walked towards the main gate where her driver was waiting for her. She could not wait to arrive at the meeting place where her father was waiting for her!

It was not until they were midway when Via felt nervous. How should she act throughout the meeting? Was she supposed to sit there and listen? What if her dad suddenly asked for her opinion? Which information should she review? Which information would be helpful? What would they be talking about later?

Her head was filled with those thoughts. Her excitement was filled with worry but she wanted to trust her hardwork. She was intelligent. She knew a lot of things. This time, she would not let her dad down.

"Via, you're here!"

Via's excitement faded as soon as she saw her brother waiting for her along with their father. What was she expecting? Of course, her father would not push her brother aside just to give her a chance. But at least, this time, she was finally seen. She would not waste this opportunity that was given to her. She would prove them that even if her brother was better than her in many aspects, that did not mean that she was incompetent. She was also a Hansen. She was also her father's child. She could be better in her own ways.

"Let's go inside."

They followed their father until they were seated in front of the business partners that their dad was talking about. They seemed like a family. Did business meetings usually include family members?

"You're here, Mr. This is my Wife, Patricia and my son, Troye."

Her father shook hands with them before he introduced them to the business partners.

"This is my son, Oliver and my daughter, Olivia. This is Mr. Trevor Santos and his family."

Collin shook hands with Mr. Santos and exchanged polite greetings with Ms. Santos and Troye so she did the same. She noticed how Mrs. Santos's smile grew wider when she turned her attention towards her. It must be because they were both woman attending business meetings filled with men.

They started talking about business after they exchanged greetings and Via listened attentively as the older men started talking about complicated business matters. Though she could not fully understand what they were talking about, she was still happy because she got to learn a lot of things. It was after a few minutes when Collin and Troye started giving their opinions and stands on the topic that they were on.

"The men are too busy in their own world, aren't they?" Mrs. Santos asked her with a friendly smile.

Via smiled and nodded. Since she had no idea about what they were talking about, she made it her job to entertain the old lady in front of her.

"My son had been interested in the business ever since he was eight. His father would usually bring him in the office and he learned a lot from a young age. Isn't he cute?"

Via smiled. Maybe from a mother's point of view, her son was still the cute child that she was raising. But for her, Troye Santos was already an amazing man. Though she could tell that her brother was way better, he still had his own amazing attributes.

"He grew up well, Mrs. Santos. He seemed reliable and trustworthy."

"You really think that? I guess he's now a good husband material, right?" The old lady teased.

She just went along and laughed it off. It was when her father mentioned the word engagement that her attention was shifter to the men.

"Olivia's already at the age where she should start considering marriage. It would be best if I could entrust her to Troye. He's a fine man. I believe that he would treat my daughter well."

Via's brows met as soon as her name was mentioned. What was her father talking about? She was still young! How could he talk about marriage without even telling her beforehand?

"You really think so? Olivia seemed like a precious daughter. Though my son may be lacking, I also believed that she could turn him into a great man. Behind a successful man is a great woman after all." Mr. Santos laughed before he looked at her. "What do you think, Olivia? Does my Troye qualify to your standards?"

Via smiled awkwardly. She did not know how she should react to the sudden situation. Why are they talking about marriage all of a sudden?

"How about Troye? What do you think about my Olivia?" Her father laughed.

"Am I even worthy to have such a precious treasure?"

Though she knew that it was meant as a compliment, Via could not stop herself from feeling insulted. She felt as if she was refered as an object. A property that they could pass around as they want.

"This young man knows his stuff," her father laughed once more.

Via felt a little angry when her brother laughed along with their father. Was it that funny? Was it nice to talk about how she was being sold off to a stranger? Instead of being considerate, they were definitely ignoring her feelings. Could she not have a say about her own future?

"How about spending some time together? I bet the two youngsters here would like to get to know each other. It would be better for them to get close before their engagement is announced, right?" Mrs. Santos added.

Though her lips was smiling, she was annoyed deep within. They were really just doing what they want!

Troye stood up and offered his hand. "Shall we go? I heard that the garden outside is really beautiful."

Via had no choice. She did not want to cause a scene. She was supposed to be redeeming herself from the previous scandal that she was caught in so she did not want to disappoint her father any further.

She took Troye's hand and smiled. The two of them went out and walked towards the garden silently. It was when they arrived at the garden that Troye broke the silence between them.

"You weren't aware that this is already a meeting about the engagement?" Troye asked while he was busy putting his handkerchief on a vacant bench. He signalled for her to sit where he placed his handkerchief like a proper gentleman and she felt obliged to do so.

"I wasn't even aware that there were already talks about my marriage."

"You're quite popular, didn't you know?" Troye chuckled. "Most of the men around our age wanted you as their bride."

"What am I? A product for an auction?" Via mumbled as she rolled her eyes. Though their circle was small, she was never interested with the children of other conglomerates. She was too busy raising her value so that her father would acknowledge her, she had no time to know about what was happening in the social circles.

"Did we make you feel that way?" Troye seemed apologetic.

"You don't even like me. Why would you agree to this marriage?" Via asked.

"Do I have to like you to marry you?" Troye smirked. "People like us... We don't marry for love. It's all about the benefits and the contribution that our marriage will have for the business."

She could not believe her ears. Was she supposed to marry a man like him? Indeed, he came off like a responsible and trustworthy man. But that did not mean that he would be a good husband or father!

"This won't work. I'm going to tell my father that I don't want this arrangement," Via said with a determined voice.

Troye chuckled. "Do what you want. Do you really believe that you have a say in this matter? Your father was trying to reduce the damage of your recent scandal by attaching your name to mine. I have a good reputation, you see. I may not be comparable to your brother but I am one of the most coveted man in our circle."

Via sighed. "Even if I have no choice, it won't hurt to try. Since you're the most coveted man in society, it would be better if I don't tie you to me, right?"

"Do what you want." Troye smiled while shaking his head. He knew that Olivia Hansen had a strong personality since she took pride in being a Hansen, but he did not expect her to be stubborn.

He was indeed lucky to be chosen as her future husband. It would really take time to tame a feisty cat like her.