Chapter 23 LILITHI 11708 Thin " Okay , that's enough , " Julian's voice rang out , calm but commanding . " Everyone , please return to your seats . " I turned and walked back to my chair without a word . Claire , Brandon , and Paula followed suit . I lowered my head , closed my eyes , and tuned them all out . Just breathing the same air as them was becoming suffocating . Then came Julian's voice again . " As of this moment , the engagement between Brandon and Lilith is off the table . " His tone was decisive , one that allowed no room for argument . But the relief I expected ... didn't come . Probably because I knew the core of this matter was not really the engagement , but the Caldwell - Scott alliance . From what I remembered in my past life , both families had partnered on a massive urban development project . One that had catapulted them into a whole new league of wealth and power . There was no way the Scotts would risk letting that go - not without a fight The engagement wasn't about love or family . It was about securing a multi - billion - dollar future : cementing the ties between two families . " I disagree ! " Paula's voice tore through the silence . " You know how important this 08:53 Chapter 23 288 Vouchers engagement is . You can't just dismiss it like it's some playground romance . Brandon also cut in , his voice undeniably panicked . " I made a terrible mistake . I know I lost your trust . But if you'd just give me one more chance , I swear - I'll cut off every woman but Lilith . " " I'll love her , cherish her , and never do anything she doesn't want . I swear nothing like last night will ever happen again . " I almost gagged - again . This man really has the nerve to say that out loud . I expected Claire to chime in , but she stayed uncharacteristically quiet . And if I were to be honest , that was probably the smartest thing she could've done . Because saying anything now would only be bringing trouble upon herself . Brandon must've assumed our families would keep pushing for the engagement , no matter what . That's why he never took any of this seriously . Why his reactions and apologies were almost dismissive . But now that Julian had spoke with finality , and no one from my side had objected - what he was about to lose finally hit him , so he was panicking . Then my dad spoke . " I can't knowingly push my daughter into a fire pit , Blake . " Blake was Mr. Scott's name . At his words that sounded like he couldn't cherish me more , my lips curled into a half - smile as I sneered inwardly . Oh , really ? But based on what happened last night , I'd say otherwise . 08:53 Chapter 23 yas teartes Next , my mother also sighed , before speaking . " I'm sorry to say this , but your son ... is truly unqualified , Paula I found their change of attitude suspiciously quick . It was almost as if there were not the same people from last night . What made them change their tune so suddenly ? I wondered . Was it because they now knew the affair had lasted five years , not two ? But ould that alone explain this shift ? Harboring my doubts , I kept quiet and listened . " What do you suggest , then ? " Mr. Scott's voice was low , controlled . " The project- " " Darling ! " Paula snapped , as if horrified he'd even consider negotiating . But she fell silent right after . Maybe he shot her a look a warning look or something - I wouldn't put it past him . " You should discuss it with your father , " my dad replied , his tone making it clear that he'd carefully considered this . " see if there are any other suitable candidates in your family . " So that was it . They were planning to swap Brandon out with another Scott . Replace the groom , not the alliance . I frowned . 08:53 Chapter 23 But Brandon was Mr. Scott's only son . 1288 ( Vouchers Unless ... they meant one of his nephews ? Still , would Blake Scott willingly hand such a huge advantage to his brother ? I found that highly doubtful from what I knew of the man ... But then something clicked , making my eyes flew open . Dean . How could I conveniently forget that Dean was Mr. Scott's son too ? I guess I wasn't used to thinking of him with that identity yet . Was this what my father was hinting at ? Because of my announcement last night , he conveniently wanted the Scotts to endorse Dean as my new fiancé . They wanted to pull Dean into this game . I frowned deeper . But Dean was supposed to be temporary - a shield , not the real thing . The whole reason we even staged that act was to completely cut off any ideas they might have , of continuing the engagement with Brandon . But now that Brandon was about to be out of the picture for good , they planned to make the fake take his place ? Was this supposed to be a joke ? Once again , doubts crept in . 08:53 Chapter 23 : 244 Pouchers Had Dean truly foreseen this ? When he made that offer last night , did he already know how things would escalate to this point ? Was he really indifferent to the power struggle , like he claimed ? Just today , he'd assured me about this but still , it was just suspicious how things were unfolding . " What's got you frowning so hard ? " Marissa's voice suddenly broke through my thoughts , startling me . I turned to find her face ridiculously close to mine , and instinctively leaned back . " Could you not invade my personal space ? " I muttered . She leaned in even more , her eyes smiling . " Does personal space even exist between sisters ? " I stared at her in silence . She stared at me right back . This version of Marissa was unexpectedly playful . Was she always like this ? " Stop messing around , you two , " Julian scolded from the side . Marissa immediately straightened up , while I shot Julian a pouty glance . Did he really not see who was really messing around ? As as result , he ignored me and turned his attention forward . I followed his gaze - Mr . Scott had risen from his seat . 08:54 Chapter 23 298 charm " I'll speak with my father about this , " he said , his voice even . " We'll let you know our decision within three days . " " We'll be waiting , " my dad replied . Mr. Scott nodded and turned to leave . As my dad made a move to stand , he stopped him with a gesture . " No need to see us out . We can manage . " Paula and Brandon quickly followed after him , but not before Brandon shot me a look . As for whatever message he hoped to send across , I didn't bother decoding it . I turned to Claire's group , and blinked . They hadn't moved . Seems like they weren't here for the Scotts , after all . They were here for us . A moment later , Marissa voiced what I was already thinking . " And why are you still here ? " she asked in a sharp tone , crossing her legs . Claire's uncle cleared his throat and gave an ingratiating smile . " Evelyn , " he said . Here we go . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!