CHAPTER EIGHT: NATASHA IS ALSO BEAUTIFUL

The tension in the grand hall had only grown thicker in the minutes after Ethan and Leah's sudden departure. A wave of confused murmurs swept through the gathered guests, but no one dared speak too loudly, especially under the shadow of Mr. Hargrove's mounting rage.

He stood in the center of the room, his face flushed a deep red, fists clenched at his sides. His eyes were locked on the door Leah had just been dragged through, his anger simmering into something dangerous. He had been humiliated, and worse-he had been outplayed by Ethan Blackwood in front of everyone.

"That bastard!" Hargrove hissed, slamming his fist down onto a nearby table, sending wine glasses toppling to the floor. The crashing sound silenced the remaining murmurs as all eyes darted between him and Victor Sterling, the man responsible for this mess.

Victor's face had gone pale, his forehead beaded with sweat as he glanced nervously around, clearly afraid of what was about to unfold. The threat of Ethan Blackwood hung heavy in the air, but Mr. Hargrove's fury presented a more immediate danger.

"Victor!" Hargrove's voice was venomous as he stalked toward him. "You sold her to me! You promised me Leah!" His face twisted with rage. "Now where the hell is my bride?"

Victor took an instinctive step back, his heart racing. "Mr. Hargrove... I..." He swallowed, glancing toward the door where Ethan had disappeared with Leah. "This is... an unfortunate misunderstanding. I had no idea Blackwood would-"

"Shut up!" Hargrove growled, grabbing Victor by the collar, shaking him roughly. "I don't care about your excuses! You owe me. I paid you for her. Do you have any idea what kind of insult this is?"

Victor's mouth went dry, his mind scrambling to find a solution. Ethan had taken Leah, and there was no getting her back now-not unless he wanted to provoke Ethan's wrath. But Hargrove was a dangerous man in his own right, and if Victor didn't offer something to soothe his temper, the consequences could be disastrous for his business and reputation.

Then, an idea formed in his mind-a way to salvage what was left of this disastrous day. His eyes flicked to Natasha, standing off to the side with a look of confusion and rising anger on her face. She wasn't Leah, but she was still beautiful, and surely a match for someone like Hargrove.

"Mr. Hargrove," Victor began, his voice careful, "I understand that you feel slighted, but I assure you, I can still make this right."

Hargrove narrowed his eyes. "And how do you intend to do that? Your deal was for Leah."

Victor swallowed hard, forcing a smile as he turned to Natasha, who was watching the exchange with an indignant expression. "My daughter Natasha is... equally as beautiful. If not more so. I can offer her to you instead."

Natasha's eyes widened in shock, her mouth falling open. "What? Father, you can't-"

"Quiet, Natasha," Victor snapped, his tone firm. He shot her a warning glance before turning back to Hargrove. "Natasha would make a fine bride. And we can resolve this misunderstanding without further conflict."

For a moment, Hargrove looked as if he might refuse, but then his gaze shifted to Natasha. His eyes roved over her, his anger slowly morphing into something else. Natasha was striking, with sharp features and a confidence that radiated despite the current chaos. A slow, calculating smile crept onto his face.

"She's not Leah," Hargrove said, his voice low and dangerous, "but I suppose she'll do."

Natasha's jaw clenched, her fists curling at her sides. She glared at her father, then at Mr. Hargrove. "I am not some consolation prize," she spat, her voice full of venom.

"Natasha," Victor warned, his tone hard. "You will do as you're told. This is for the good of the family."

Natasha's eyes flared with fury, but she knew there was no arguing with her father. Not here, not now. And the last thing she wanted was to be the one responsible for bringing ruin upon the Sterling name. Still, the humiliation burned deep. First, Leah had ruined her wedding day, and now she was being shoved into a marriage with the man who had originally wanted her stepsister.

Vivian rushed forward, her face pale. "Victor, you can't do this!" she protested, her voice shrill with panic. "You can't just give Natasha to him like this. It's wrong!"

Victor ignored her, focusing on Hargrove. "Do we have a deal?"

Hargrove smirked, casting a glance at Natasha. "We do."

Vivian gasped, but Victor turned to the officiant, who had been hovering uncertainly near the front of the room. "Finish the ceremony. Now."

Natasha's entire body shook with rage as the officiant approached, his hands trembling as he opened the book once again. She stood there, rigid, her heart pounding with the weight of her father's betrayal. How could he do this to her? How could he just hand her over to a man like Hargrove?

She shot a glare at Vivian, who looked devastated, her eyes pleading with Victor to reconsider. But it was too late. Natasha's fate had already been sealed, just like Leah's.

The officiant spoke quickly, his voice barely above a whisper as he read through the vows. Natasha stood silent, her mind whirling with thoughts of revenge. This was Leah's fault. If her sister hadn't ruined everything with Ethan Blackwood, none of this would have happened.

She clenched her fists as the officiant asked for her response. She hesitated for the briefest moment, her jaw tight, then forced the words from her lips. "I do."

Hargrove's smug grin widened as he repeated the same words. "I do."

The ceremony concluded in a matter of minutes, a mockery of the grand affair it was supposed to have been. The guests, stunned into silence, didn't even applaud. Natasha barely registered the officiant's final words as he declared them husband and wife.

But one thought burned in her mind as she stared straight ahead, refusing to look at her new husband: I will destroy Ethan Blackwood and Leah.