Thirty minutes later, Murray, Craig, and Lucy returned.

Murray’s tie was crooked, and Craig’s hair was disheveled.

There were several visible love bites on Lucy’s neck. She glanced at Harper and me with a triumphant expression.

Everything about them declared just how intense and intimate their time outside had been.

Everyone was watching the scene unfold in anticipation. They waited to see how Harper and I would react.

In the past, we would have erupted on the spot, desperately trying to drag Murray and Craig’s attention away from Lucy and back to us.

However, things were different this time.

Harper leaned close and whispered into my ear, “Laurel, I don’t know why, but seeing them now… I don’t feel a thing.

“Since they’re so wrapped up in each other, they probably don’t even care who we’re actually engaged to.”

I could not help but smile when I saw how calm both of us were.

“Exactly. We’re meeting our fiances tomorrow. Let’s head out and pick out a gift for them.”

Our unusually composed reaction left the brothers across the room completely bewildered.

Murray walked up and sneered at us.

“Laurel, you’re actually being sensible this time. You’re not as childish as you used to be.”

“Have fun,” I said with a shrug. Then, I took Harper’s arm and led her away.

Just outside the gathering, the two brothers stopped us.

“It’s getting dark. It’s not safe out here. We’ll take you home.”

Before we could refuse, Lucy approached us. Her eyes welled up with tears.

“Craig, Murray, if you guys are leaving, I don’t want to stay here either. Let’s all go together.”

She glanced at Harper and me, then pretended to hesitate and spoke up timidly.

“Never mind, I’ll just take a cab. Five people in one car might be a bit too crowded for you two.”

After that, she turned to leave but was immediately pulled back by Craig.

“It’s fine, Lulu. You take the front with Murray. I’ll squeeze in the back with them.

“Once we drop them off at their house, you can move to the back and sit with me.”

Murray, who was driving, nodded in agreement and promptly opened the front passenger door for Lucy.

Harper and I looked at each other. We were caught between anger and incredulous laughter at the ridiculous harmony they were projecting.

Craig also seemed quite pleased with his arrangement. He pulled open the back door and guided Harper into the most cramped corner in the back.

Lucy turned around from the front seat with a smug look.

“Sorry, Laurel, Harper. Murray and Craig just care about me a lot.”

I coldly shoved Craig aside and pulled Harper behind me.

“We don’t need a ride. We’re not going home.”

Murray frowned as he looked at me.

“What’s with the attitude? Just get in the car.”

“Laurel already said we don’t need a ride. You two go ahead. We’re going to the mall, so just let us be.”

Harper smirked disdainfully as she looked straight at the two brothers.

“Besides, it’s cramped enough with five people in the car. Even if you don’t mind, Laurel and I can’t stand the smell of strong perfume.”

Harper glanced at Lucy and covered her nose in disgust.

Lucy’s face flushed instantly. She looked at Murray and Craig in frustration as if seeking their help.

Craig, however, wore a smug expression and grabbed Harper’s hand.

“Going to the mall? Did you and Laurel finally realize you were wrong, and you’re buying us apology gifts?”

Murray walked toward me confidently.

“Alright, since you’re being so sincere with your apology, I won’t hold a grudge.

“Just cut it out with the act of this feigned indifference. It’s really tacky.

“As long as you behave and stop interfering in my personal life, I’ll go marry you like you want.”

He arrogantly shoved a bracelet into my hand, as if he was tossing a coin to a beggar.

“Consider this bracelet my engagement gift to you. Just text me once you’re home.”

The two condescending men then left with Lucy, who looked on the verge of tears.

Sharing a speechless look with Harper, I tossed his bracelet into the sewer.

We quickly put the unpleasant encounter with Murray and Craig behind us once Harper and I started shopping.

The twins we were engaged to were from the Luciano family.

The elder brother, Leopold Luciano, was calm and dependable, while the younger, Dylan Luciano, was gentle and kind.

Although they would not be returning from overseas until the next day, our frequent online chats had sparked Leopold’s interest in me. I, too, was very pleased with someone as handsome and outstanding as him.

Harper felt the same way about Dylan, who clearly liked her.

We both carefully picked out gifts for Leopold and Dylan. Both of us looked forward to our first meeting the next day.

The following morning, Harper and I were fully dressed and were holding our gifts, just about to head out, when the doorbell rang.

The moment the housekeeper opened the door, Murray and Craig barged in.

They were stunned when they saw that Harper and I were all dressed up.

“How did you two know about the important banquet tonight?”

Before we could answer, the observant Murray noticed my exquisitely wrapped gift.

His initial confusion instantly turned into smug satisfaction.

“You actually bought me a gift? Let me see it.”

Afraid he might snatch it, I immediately hid the gift behind my back.

“It’s not for you.”

Craig, standing nearby, also spotted Harper’s neatly wrapped present and said, “Laurel, if your gift isn’t for my brother, who else could it possibly be for?”

He then turned to Harper.

“And you? What did you get for me?”

This was beyond ridiculous.

Seeing us silent and clutching the gifts tightly behind our backs, Murray and Craig sneered in contempt. They sprawled casually on the couch, acting as if the house belonged to them.

“Alright, forget about the gifts. We get that you two are being difficult. We know you’re into us and can’t live without us.

“As long as you stop giving Lulu a hard time and quit throwing fits about her, we won’t treat you badly either. Life will be easier for both of you from now on.”

‘Treat us badly?’ I thought and smiled in disdain.

My family was New Yark’s most prominent arms dealer, deeply entwined with multiple mafia syndicates.

If Harper and I had not clung stubbornly to them since childhood, our parents would not have spared these two mere capos a second glance.

Murray failed to notice my cold, disdainful smile. He looked at me condescendingly and in displeasure.

“Where’s that diamond bracelet I gave you? Put it on!

“The Don’s twin sons are back in the country. There’s a family dinner tonight at the top estate. Wear it, and don’t make me look bad.”

Craig looked at Harper and added, “My brother’s right. This dinner is a formal event. Only the most trusted capos are invited. The fact that I’m willing to take you along means I’m acknowledging your status. Consider it a sign of respect.”

Murray was worried we might cause trouble, so he gave us detailed instructions.

“The Don’s family values tradition and respect above all. Mind your manners. Don’t bring up anything inappropriate, and that includes Lulu.

“Speaking of Lulu, she couldn’t attend due to… formalities. She was so upset that she stayed home crying. She spent all of yesterday crying because of you two. After this is over, you’ll be coming back with us to apologize to her.

“And remember, until the wedding is official, Craig and I can still call this off at any time!”

After Murray was done, he and Craig walked to the limousine that was waiting at the entrance.

Harper and I exchanged a glance and shrugged helplessly.

It did not matter. After tonight, they would finally learn exactly who we were engaged to.

When we entered the estate’s banquet hall, the Luciano family had not yet arrived. Only their name cards occupied the empty seats.

Harper and I deliberately avoided the seats near Murray and Craig. Instead, we took our places beside the seats reserved for Leopold and Dylan.

Murray and Craig, who had just returned from greeting the other bosses, saw us seated and frowned. They stood up and walked over to us.

“You two are getting more willful by the day! We already assigned your seats. Stop causing a scene!

“Those seats are meant for the Don’s eldest son and his fiancee! Don’t embarrass me! Get up now! Our seats are at the other end of the table!

“Laurel! Did you forget everything I said to you before we left?”

Craig grabbed Harper’s hand and forcibly pulled her up.

“You have no manners at all! If you offend the Don’s family, you’ll be dragging us down with you!

“Those seats are reserved for their fiancees, not for you two!”

At that moment, two tall figures appeared at the banquet hall entrance.

Leopold and Dylan walked in unhurriedly. They were dressed in elegant suits and looked as handsome and refined as two princes.