6 Her Charm

Harper’s POV

Our house was still some distance from the party venue. I wanted to sit comfortably, but the person beside me made me feel stiff and uneasy.

I kept my breathing shallow, afraid he might talk to me or do something.

The atmosphere was tense, but just then, the driver slammed the brakes suddenly, and I lunged forward from the momentum. A hand grabbed me from behind, pulling me back into his chest.

“My apologies, a cat just ran across the road,” the driver turned back and apologized to us.

I quickly sat up, straightening my messy hair and putting distance between us. “It’s alright, just be careful.”

Unlucky. The very thing I dreaded came true.

I pressed myself against the car door, holding onto the handle, not wanting to look in his direction at all.

After we had driven for a while, my phone in my purse vibrated. It was a message from Matthew.

“Dear princess, you haven’t messaged me all day. Do you have some time today? I recently discovered a nice restaurant that I think you’d love.”

Seeing his message brightened my bad mood a little.

However, from the moment I opened my phone, I could feel the gaze of the person next to me fixated on me, making me incredibly uncomfortable.

Given the situation, I didn’t bother explaining to Matthew what I was up to today, so I just quickly replied.

“I’m busy today, see you at school on Monday.”

After typing that, I put my phone away, and the gaze beside me finally shifted.

The car ride felt endless, but eventually, we arrived. Our vehicle rolled into a large estate, and a few attendants helped us open the car doors.

My mom took my hand, and I looked around—there wasn’t a single familiar face. All I saw were the social elites I’d only ever seen on TV.

A lady in a champagne-colored gown spotted us and came over. She greeted my mom with a kiss on the cheek and then turned to look at me.

Her eyes showed amazement. “Dear, you look stunning. I’ve told your mother many times that I hoped she’d bring you to visit. Now I understand why she hasn’t. A girl as beautiful as you would attract a crowd of young men wherever you went.”

It was the first time I had been complimented so directly, and I felt my face heat up. “Thank you, ma’am. You’re very elegant.”

She smiled at me, exchanged a few more words with my mom, and then moved on with the others.

“She’s a French noblewoman, with a hereditary title,” my mom whispered to me.

So she was a duchess—impressive.

I looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, torn between feeling out of place and a touch of excitement.

I could feel several strange gazes on my back. Confused, I turned around and found a few young men staring at me in a daze.

I wasn’t sure how to respond to them. Out of politeness, I raised my glass to them from afar and then followed my mom further inside.

Of course, I didn’t hear what they were saying about me. But seeing how everyone turned to look, I figured my look today was a success.

Except for the killjoy Marco—he was the only one who thought this dress didn’t suit me. I had originally thought I wouldn’t have to be near him at this event, but my mom brought me to my father’s side. Marco stood right beside him, and I realized just how much taller he was than his father.

Being younger, his body had more of a commanding presence, like a young panther in the jungle. I realized I was studying him and quickly looked away.

When Dad saw Mom bringing me over, he turned and introduced me to some of the people around us.

They were the ones at the top of the pyramid. Their expressions were perfect, without any cracks, and their smiles seemed rehearsed.

I couldn’t read their intentions, so I just kept a polite smile.

Under my father’s introduction, I greeted each of them. When that exhausting social formality was over, I saw Marco standing with a few other young men.

I forced a smile and looked away, deciding not to pay him any more attention.

Marco’s POV

The moment I stepped into this damned place, I realized just how enticing she looked tonight.

Maybe it was because she always dressed simply at home, but when she wore that sultry dress, I could hardly take my eyes off her exposed skin.

I had deliberately said the dress didn’t suit her, hoping she’d change into something else, anything that would avoid drawing the attention of more men. It turned out I was right, as almost every young man here had their eyes on her.

Damn it!

Yet she seemed oblivious to it all. Did she enjoy the attention of these men?

David chuckled beside me, “Is that your sister? I didn’t get a clear look at her last time. I didn’t expect her to be so beautiful.”

I gave him a sharp glance. David immediately shut his mouth.

Everyone around us fell silent, too scared to talk about anything related to Harper.

Since this was a business-oriented banquet, there weren’t many games or entertainment, and we left fairly soon.

After we returned home, my father called me into his study.

“Marco, you should be familiar with the North American situation by now.”

My father sat at his desk, looking at me.

“Yes.”

“What are your thoughts?”

“You spent a lot of time talking to Jake Conti today, so I assume you want to ally with their family. That way, we could expand our control over North America more quickly.”

“You’re right, Marco. You’re my son, and I know you have issues with your stepmother and sister. If you truly can’t get along with Harper, there’s a way out now. Today, Jack Conti mentioned that his son Angelo will soon take over from him. Angelo seemed very taken with Harper after meeting her tonight. He proposed marriage…”

“Father, we don’t need to use women to secure power for our family.”

I interrupted him.

“You know, I’ve never thought of Harper as a tool. If it weren’t for your disapproval, I wouldn’t be considering her marriage this soon. I just think Harper and Angelo are both young. They could get to know each other and build a relationship. If they fall in love, that would be a good thing. What do you think?”

I quietly let out a sigh of relief.

“Father,” the scene of Harper kissing that damn boy flashed through my mind again.

“Harper has a boyfriend. I don’t want to cooperate with the Conti family. They betrayed us before—let’s not forget that debt. We don’t want peaceful coexistence; we want dominance.”

There was heat in my voice, and my father looked at me in surprise.

“I didn’t know Harper had a boyfriend. In that case, let’s drop the matter. I didn’t expect you to remember what happened twenty years ago. But you’re right, even if we allied with the Contis, eventually we’d need to determine who’s in charge. Marco, I hope you’ll dominate the North American mafia and become a true king.”

“I will, Father.”

I left the study. As I passed the rooms on the second floor, I paused, hearing her excited chatter inside.

I turned away and went to the balcony, lighting a cigarette.