My father chose three days for this. And now it was the third.

He said I would eventually catch one where he'd be back. So, I waited for the person. I even waited for the proposal.

Sadly, the one who finally proposed … wasn't me.

Meeting those eyes brimming with warmth, I shouted in frustration, "Are you all mute? Greet them properly!"

The courtyard guards shouted in unison, "Mr. and Mrs. Hunt."

Holding my umbrella, I turned and walked away. I could feel the probing stares on my back.

Soon, Nathaniel hurried after me.

"Girl, you've been wronged."

I pushed open the door. Marriage proposals from the past three years had piled up in every corner of the room.

"Uncle Nathaniel, among these suitors, who do you think holds the most value?”

He answered, “Given the Caldwells' standing now, an alliance is merely icing on the cake."

"Then who's the most attractive?"

Seeing Nathaniel's hesitation, I randomly pulled one out.

"Sawyer Steele."

"We could consider another option."

"Why?"

A calm voice suddenly drifted in from outside the window.

"Because he has a bad reputation. He only knows how to eat, drink and have fun. He has no idea about power struggles or business. He's a well-known Playboy."

I looked him up and down, then at the marriage contract in my hand.

"You look better than in the photo."

Nathaniel pointed at the man perched on the wall. "You bastard! How dare you climb the Caldwells' wall! Don't want your legs anymore?"

I quickly shoved the marriage contract into Nathaniel's chest. "Uncle Nathaniel, let's just go with him."

Sawyer was lying on the outer wall of my house, legs crossed.

Hearing this, he sat up straight and looked me over.

"Settle things with Mr. Hunt first. I'll bring the wedding party to marry you in seven days."

With that, he climbed down the wall.

Nathaniel took a deep breath, his face flushed with anger.

"What a useless little bastard."

"Not entirely useless. At least he's well-informed."

If even a so-called useless man knew of my situation with Julian, then he wasn't useless at all.

That evening, I went out.

Julian was waiting at the pavilion. He sat opposite me, dismissing all the servants with a single glance.

I sipped my tea and glanced at the finance book in my hand as I asked casually, "Is the baby in her belly yours?"

He remained silent, peeling a pistachio for me instead.

"Miss, oh, Mr. Hunt is here too. Excuse me. Miss, these are the documents that were sent over."

The bodyguard placed the papers on the table without hesitation.

On top was a photo of the girl Julian had brought home today.

I leaned back and lit a cigarette. He, however, couldn’t sit still.

"I'm the one who wronged you. Her appearance made me crave a peaceful life. She can wait for me, but the child in her womb can't. I want to give them legitimate status, not let them be born with the stigma of illegitimacy."

"If you wanted peace, you shouldn't have crossed me in the first place."

Julian pulled a string of ancient coins from his inner pocket.

"Your favorite from three years ago. After all these years traveling far and wide, I finally gathered them all."

He held my hand, his gaze intense.

"You think a bracelet will make me let it go? Have you only known me for a day?"

Without a moment of hesitation, Julian knelt before me.

"I'm sorry."

"Consider this life of mine yours. Can you spare her?"

I stood up with a smile, took one last drag of my cigarette. Unfortunately, I couldn't find an ashtray.

At that time, Julian helplessly raised his hands. His eyes were dark.

Then, I crushed the cigarette butt into his palm.

"Then die now."

That man stared at me in shock.

"So you used sweet talk like that to deceive that young girl?"

"Uncle, if sweet words could solve everything, then the Caldwells wouldn't be sitting in this position today."

I rose and headed toward the family banquet hall.

The bodyguard followed after me. "Miss, your belongings."

I took my bag and noticed he still held the ancient coin bracelet.

"It's worth a little money. You can have it."

"Thank you, Miss."

Inside the banquet hall, several uncles greeted me with polite smiles.

I had barely sat down when Yolanda reached for my hand.

"My dear niece, I hear you have a very good relationship with Julian and you only listen to him. After we get married next month, please keep visiting us as often as before."

Her smile was gentle, yet her eyes held a hint of mischief.

"Sophia, shall we add each other's contact?"

She pulled out her phone. The screensaver was a photo of her with Julian.

Then, she suddenly slapped her forehead.

"Oh, my memory is terrible. I'm using Julian's old account. Sophia, he didn't save your name. So, which one are you?"

She beamed at me. But the uncles across the table had already sensed something was off.

I glanced at the screen. It was indeed Julian's old account.

Well, since she was so curious, I didn't mind telling her.

"How could it not be saved? The one marked 'Baby', that's me."

Yolanda hadn't expected me to say it so shamelessly. Her face darkened.

"You two are so close, right?”

She held up her phone, seemingly showing it to me but actually displaying it for everyone. “This one?”

The screen was densely packed with messages—all my concerns for Julian.

Asking about his situation and words expressing how much I missed him.

"My phone broke, so I'm using Julian's. Little niece, your uncle might not have seen these messages. Should I send them to him?"

At that exact moment, Julian walked in.

I shot a glance at the bodyguard behind me. "Go get it for Julian to see."

"Yes, Miss."

He snatched the phone from Yolanda and handed it to Julian, who had just arrived.

Julian showed no reaction upon seeing the chat history. But when his eyes fell on the bracelet in the bodyguard’s hand, he froze.

"Where'd you get that?"

"My lady asked me to show it to you."

"I'm talking about your bracelet. Where'd you get it?"

"My lady gave it to me."

Unfortunately, I couldn't read the look in Julian's eyes.

That man later pulled out a chair and sat beside me.

"Sitting here might make it hard for you to explain things to your fiancée."

"If I don't sit here, I won't be able to report to you either."

He stayed by my side throughout the entire family banquet, occasionally serving me food.

As it neared its end, he suddenly blurted out. "Why give something you like to someone else?"

I picked up a piece of fish and asked flatly, "Are you talking about the person, or the bracelet?"

This time, he was the one who fell silent.

I could sense Yolanda's mood and notice how often she clenched her palms. Still, I didn't care whether she was pleased or not.

"Three years later and you're still so stubborn. It's about time you found a husband to keep you in line."

"I'm done eating. Everyone, please continue."

I wiped my mouth, grabbed my bag and left the table.

He thought I was upset. The truth was, I wasn't.

Chances were, I'd be married before he ever was.

"Miss, Mr. Sloane, Mr. Caldwell wants everyone to move to the front hall after dinner."

I turned and walked towards the hall.

Inside the large hall was already filled with all sorts of red boxes.

Fifty or sixty of them, tied with red ribbons and wedding characters.

My father sat at the head of the table, holding a list in his hand as he carefully checked off the wedding gifts one by one.

"Are all these wedding gifts for me?"

Yolanda covered her mouth in surprise. "Th-this much?"

Julian gently lowered his head and ruffled her hair.

Several uncles also inquired about the details of their wedding.

"Have you chosen the wedding dress?"

"We'll go pick it out tomorrow."

"Alright. When you return, come to my winery to select your wedding wine. Dominic says you may choose freely."

"Thank you, Charles."

Their polite exchanges were so seamless, I almost believed my father was truly preparing for Julian’s wedding.

Until the butler hurried over with a smile.

"Mr. and Miss Caldwell, Sawyer Steele has arrived."