CHAPTER 4

The car finally rolled to a stop in front of the Davenport estate, a sprawling architectural masterpiece, a modern design that practically screamed, "We have money, and we love reminding people about it." The mansion's white walls, towering glass windows, and perfect garden gave off an air of cold, detached luxury—much like the people inside it.

Michelle barely had time to brace herself before Raymond stepped out, he opened the car door for her like the gentleman that he was, exuding his usual air of effortless authority. She stepped out of the car while sighing and closed the car door, then she followed Raymond as he walked towards the mansion, adjusting her emerald green dress—one of the many he had insisted she get earlier. If she had to face her family, at least she’d look like she belonged in their world, even though they treated her like she never truly did.

As soon as they stepped onto the marble pathway, the front door swung open, revealing Mr. Andrew, the Davenport family’s ever-efficient butler. He paused for a minute, his face showing surprise and shock at Michelle’s new look before he quickly composed himself and bowed slightly. “Mr. Hawthorne, Miss Michelle. Welcome.” Please come in..

Michelle almost laughed out loud at how he only acknowledged her because Raymond was present. Classic.

Inside, Henry and Vivian Davenport welcomed Raymond with wide smiles and enthusiastic handshakes, completely ignoring their daughter Michelle like she was some misplaced piece of furniture, even her new look didn't faze them at all. Not that she minded—being invisible was her specialty and she was already used to it.

“Mr. Hawthorne, what a pleasant surprise!” Henry said with a fake smile, his voice dripping with forced warmth. “To what do we owe this honor?”

Raymond, unfazed as always, got straight to the point. “I’m getting married to Michelle.”

Silence.

Vivian blinked, her perfect facade cracking for a split second before she recovered with a forced smile. “Oh… well, that’s certainly….. unexpected.”she stuttered.

Henry, on the other hand, looked like he had just swallowed a whole lemon. His face twitched as if he were calculating stock losses in real-time and he was in shock for a full one minute.

Millie, who had been standing in the corner pretending not to eavesdrop, visibly stiffened. Her grip on her designer skirt tightened, her knuckles turning white. If looks could kill, Michelle would have combusted on the spot. She was burning with rage and jealousy and could barely mask it with her forced smile.

“But of course,” Vivian continued, smoothing down her expensive silk blouse, “if you love our daughter, then we have no objections. You both look perfectly good together.”

Michelle nearly choked on air. Love? She snuck a glance at Raymond, who remained as unreadable as ever, one brow slightly raised in amusement as he smirked.

Millie, still speechless, looked like she was about to burst into flames. Her jaw clenched so tightly Michelle worried she might crack a tooth .

Henry finally snapped out of his trance and cleared his throat. “Well, if this is your decision, Mr. Hawthorne, then… congratulations.” His voice lacked sincerity, but he was powerless to object. Raymond’s influence and power in the business world made sure of that. He was too scared, he couldn't even say no if he wanted to.

Raymond nodded, as if their approval—didn’t matter and it was merely a formality. “Thank you. Also, I’d like to formally invite you all to our engagement dinner tomorrow evening. My parents, Jonathan and Eleanor, will be there as well.”

Vivian’s eyes lit up at the mention of the influential Hawthorne family. “Oh, how wonderful! We’d be delighted.”

Henry, despite his reluctance, nodded along. “Yes, of course, of course. We’ll be there.”

Before Raymond could say anything else, Henry turned to Michelle with a pointed look. “Michelle, may I have a word with you upstairs?”

Michelle sighed internally. Here we go.

Raymond gestured toward the hallway. “Go ahead.”

She followed her father into his study, already predicting the scolding and lecture that awaited her.

The moment the door shut behind them, Henry dropped the pleasant act. “What the hell were you thinking? How could you do this to us?”

Michelle arched her brow. “Good to see you too, Dad.”

Henry’s nostrils flared in anger. “Do you realize what you’ve done? Do you have any idea how much this will cost me and the company?”

She crossed her arms. “Oh, I don’t know, Dad. Why don't you tell me how much your daughter’s dignity is worth these days?”

His glare sharpened. “Don’t get smart with me, Michelle. Because of this stunt, the investment deal I was securing with Lancaster Holdings is falling apart! They wanted Millie to be the face of the partnership in return for you to get married to their son”

Michelle resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Of course, it was about Millie. It always was, they never cared about her.

“Well, guess what Dad? That’s not my problem anymore,” she said, matching his glare. “I did what I had to do.” For the first time, she was standing up for herself and it felt good.

Henry’s fists clenched, but he knew he was powerless to stop this now. Raymond had claimed her, and no one, not even Henry Davenport, could challenge him or make him change his mind.

After two more minutes of fuming and blaming her for everything wrong in his life, he finally dismissed her. She walked back downstairs, her expression unreadable.

Raymond, already expecting her return, glanced at his watch. “That took longer than expected. I assume he didn’t congratulate you?”

Michelle snorted. “Oh, he did. Just in a very… Henry way.”

Vivian, oblivious to the tension, clapped her hands together. “Well! We’ll see you both at the engagement dinner tomorrow.” Congratulations once again.

Raymond nodded. “Looking forward to it.”

As they stepped back into the car, Michelle let out a sigh she had been holding in. “Well, that was a major disaster.”

Raymond smirked. “I thought it went rather well.”

She shot him a glare. “Oh, sure. If you ignore the part where my father nearly had an aneurysm due to anger and shock.”

Raymond leaned back against the seat, his tone almost amused. “Get used to it, Mrs. Hawthorne. This is only the beginning.”

Michelle groaned, pressing her forehead against the cool glass of the window.

What had she gotten herself into?