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“I’d be delighted,” he replied warmly, casting a pointed glance at Damien. “Perhaps you could escort Bianca, Damien? It would be good for you to maintain your social connections.”
“I’m well aware of that,” I responded, squaring my shoulders. “And I would never want to be a liability to him.”
There was a familiarity in her tone that made my skin prickle. She then turned her perfectly mascaraed eyes to me, widening them in mock surprise.
My cheeks burned at the deliberate mention of my failed relationship. Bianca knew exactly what she was doing–undermining me in front of Damien’s family by bringing up my past humiliation.
Bianca’s perfect composure slipped just slightly. “Good that you understand,” she retorted with a dismissive flick of her wrist.
My stomach knotted. This was exactly what I’d feared—that Damien’s family would see me as an outsider, someone beneath their station who’d somehow manipulated their golden son.
“My career is secure,” Damien interrupted. “And if it came down to a choice between
my
work and Hazel, there would be no contest.”
Damien sat beside me, his posture relaxed but alert. I could feel his quiet strength flowing toward me, steadying me.
It wasn’t what he said but how he said it–as though my relationship with Damien was nothing more than a transaction. A debt being repaid.
“My family’s actions aren’t mine,” I said quietly but firmly.
Damien turned to me, a flash of hurt crossing his features. “Hazel-”
Damien stood abruptly, his patience clearly wearing thin. “Grandfather, I respect your concerns, but my decision is made. Hazel has shown more integrity in handling her family’s mess than most people show in a lifetime.”
The subtle accusation hung in the air. Bianca had indeed made several plays for Julian
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during our university days, though he’d never shown interest. Her vendetta against me had started long before my wedding disaster.
“Not defensive,” I corrected her. “Just observant. We’ve known each other a long time, haven’t we? Long enough for me to recognize when someone’s trying to put me in my place.”
Grandfather Sterling’s eyebrows rose with interest. “Is that so? What a small world.”
“Oh, Hazel,” Bianc
laughed lightly. “Always so direct. I do admire how you’ve… bounced back after
everything. It must be so hard to move on after such public. humiliation. First Julian leaving you at the altar, then all that unpleasantness with your family…” She trailed off, her implication clear.
Moments later, an elderly gentleman entered, followed by a tall, slender woman whose face I recognized instantly. Bianca Sinclair. My former university classmate and perennial rival. I hadn’t seen her in years, but time had only enhanced her elegant beauty and poise.
“With all due respect, sir,” I said, gathering my courage, “there’s no debt between us. What happened when we were children was chance.”
Grandfather Sterling’s expression immediately brightened. “Excellent. Show them in, please.”
The older man’s expression softened slightly, but his eyes remained calculating. “Miss Ashworth, I don’t doubt your sincerity. But you must understand my position. The Sterling name carries certain responsibilities. Damien’s choices affect more than just himself.”
There it was—that subtle distancing. Not “Hazel” or even “Ms. Ashworth,” but “Miss Ashworth,” keeping me firmly at arm’s length.
I fought to keep my expression neutral as Damien shook his head. “I’m afraid I already have plans that evening, Grandfather. With Hazel.”
“I was young and naive,” I admitted with a self–deprecating laugh. “But we all make mistakes when we’re starting out, don’t we? I’m sure you remember your own youthful misjudgments.”
“Hazel Ashworth? Is that you? What a surprise!” She exclaimed with false warmth. “Mr. Sterling, did you know Hazel and I were classmates at university?”
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Bianca’s smile tightened. “I’ve always been rather careful with my choices.
“Sit down, Damien,” his grandfather said calmly. “I’m not forbidding anything. I’m simply advising caution. Your career is at a critical juncture-”
I took a deep breath. “Thank you for your concern, Bianca. It’s touching how invested you’ve always been in my failures. One might almost think you take satisfaction in them.”
There it was–the real issue. Not my humble beginnings or even our childhood connection, but the scandal surrounding my father and stepsister. The criminal charges, the public disgrace, all of it leaving a stain on my name that someone like Grandfather Sterling would find unacceptable for their family.
“That’s right,” I nodded. “You were always so… careful. Especially around my boyfriends.”
“Mr. Sterling,” she greeted with a practiced smile before turning to Damien. “Damien, it’s been too long.”
The room seemed to shrink around me as she deliberately brought up every painful aspect of my recent past. I could feel Grandfather Sterling watching closely, likely noting how I handled the provocation.
The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. I sat rigidly in my chair across from Grandfather Sterling, my hands folded neatly in my lap to hide their trembling. Despite the warm welcome from Damien’s mother and sister, his grandfather’s steely gaze told a different story.
“That won’t be necessary,” I interjected quickly, standing as well. “Mr. Sterling, I understand your concerns completely. I have no intention of rushing Damien into anything that might compromise his position or create discord in your family.”
“That’s ancient history,” I replied evenly, forcing a smile. “Things worked out exactly as they were meant to.”
The bold declaration hung in the air between us. I turned to look at him, my heart pounding. We’d never discussed marriage explicitly, and hearing him state it so firmly to his grandfather sent a rush of emotion through me.
“You believe that now,” Grandfather Sterling said with the patronizing ton of someone humoring a child. “But you’ve always had a strong sense of honor, Damien. It’s possible
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your feelings are colored by your past.”
“I’m sure it is,” I replied. “But commitments should be honored, don’t Something I’ve become rather passionate about lately.”
you think?
“Mr. Sterling,” Bianca pivoted smoothly, turning to Grandfather Sterling. “Did Damien tell you about the charity gala next month? The Sinclair Foundation would be honored if you could attend as our special guest”
“Of course,” Bianca nodded sympathetically, though her eyes gleamed with malice. “Julian always did have a… flexible approach to commitment. Some of us tried to warn you, but you seemed so certain he was the one.”
Our tense exchange was interrupted by a soft knock at the door. A butler entered and announced, “Mr. Sinclair and Miss Sinclair have arrived, sir.”
Grandfather Sterling nodded, his face a mask of polite attention. “Indeed. It seems you saved his life twice as children. Our family owes you a debt of gratitude.”
“Richard!” Grandfather Sterling greeted the older man warmly, rising to shake his hand. “Wonderful to see you. And Bianca, as lovely as ever.”
I felt a surge of love for him even as panic fluttered in my chest. I didn’t want to be the reason for a rift between Damien and his family.
Damien’s hand found mine, his grip firm. “Grandfather, my feelings for Hazel aren’t born from obligation. I’ve made that clear.”
“Miss Ashworth,” he said, emphasizing/my formal title. “I understand you’ve had a significant impact on my grandson’s life.”
Grandfather Sterling leaned back in his chair, his expression inscrutable. “Marriage is a significant step, Damien. One that should be considered carefully, especially given your position.” He paused, his gaze shifting to me. “And Miss Ashworth’s… complicated family situation.”
I felt Damien stiffen beside me, but I placed a gentle hand on his arm. This was my
battle.
“Yes, though I wasn’t aware of our past connection until recently,” I replied carefully.
Bianca’s smile didn’t waver, but her eyes hardened. “What a shame. It’s such an important event.”
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Damien’s grip on my hand tightened almost painfully. “Hazel is not a liability,
Grandfather. She’s the woman I intend to marry.”
“No, but they reflect on you nonetheless,” he countered. “And by extension, they would
reflect on us.”
“Oh yes,” Bianca continued, taking a seat without being invited. “Hazel was quite popular back then. Everyone knew her as Julian Grayson’s girlfriend.” She paused, shooting me a knowing look. “Though I heard things didn’t exactly work out with the wedding.”
Her smile faltered for a split second. “I’m simply making conversation, Hazel. No need to be defensive.”
Bianca swept into the room like she owned it, dressed in an impeccable cream designer suit that probably cost more than my monthly rent. Her dark hair fell in perfect waves around her shoulders, and her makeup highlighted her aristocratic features flawlessly.
“Sir,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady, “I never asked Damien for anything. In fact, I tried to refuse his help when he first offered it.”
Chapter 151 – Grandfather’s Disapproval and a Rival’s Taunts
“Perhaps,” he responded, his fingers steepled before him. “But it’s quite the coincidence that my grandson would encounter you again after all these years and develop such… intense feelings.”
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