AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You didn’t know? She was sold to Mr. Prescott.”
The table goes silent while my eyes trail over to Iva as her focus is still on the steak she’s been cutting into the tiniest slices for thirty minutes.
“Sold, you say,” Anna hums. I can see the merit in her expression as her black eyes glimmer with excitement.Something to secure her advantage.“Meaning she’s not Prescott’s real daughter?”
“She is not.”
Wait… what?
I’m well aware that Iva is an orphan, and she was adopted by Mr. Prescott, but the way Father implicates it is as though on paper, it does not reflect the change.
Or the inheritance she’d gain from now being considered the ‘eldest’ child of the Prescott family.
“She was offered at an extremely high price for anyone to bargain for. Not sure what Prescott saw in her back then in cheap attire and those hideous glasses. It had to be enough for him to take the bid and claim her.” Father chuckles as he lowers his silverware and reaches for his glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. “I remember that night. The room was silent in disbelief, but then again, it had to be a charity movement. Saving a child from being on the streets. The seller certainly benefited immensely, if you ask me. Getting rid of unwanted baggage.”
I notice the stiffness in Zander’s body while Ares and Warren look fucking identical with their heartless stares. I’m unsure what expression is on my face in this instance.
Shock? Anger? Disgust?
There’s no sympathy for Iva’s predicament.
At least, not on the top half of the table, where they all continue to relax and eat like this is just a conversation for entertainment purposes. I don’t like that another, especially my father, is mocking what’s soon to be mine.
But with this obvious news, do I want to sign the dotted line?
There’s no benefit to this contract otherwise.
She may be a potential queen in our midst, but what does she possibly bring to the table? No empire, no funds, no family of power. She’s but a defiant vessel.
One I still want to watch as I fuck her into oblivion.
So far, that’s enough to keep me glued to my seat.
But for how long?
“However, I’ll admit you’ve grown up quite nicely, Miss Prescott,” Father praises, and there’s that shimmer of lust in his eyes that makes my eye twitch. “You look almost identical to your adoptive mother. I bet you two have an intriguing bond, though who am I to judge.” He chuckles at that. “I’m sure they’vemade you aware that your sister will be engaging my son when she reaches age, yes?”
The dual screech of silverware against the Versace plates pulls our attention to Ares and Warren. Ares is looking at my father, but Warren is staring at Iva.
Despite the shocking news, she doesn’t look the least bit moved by it.
“What?” Warren demands while Ares looks from my father over at me. “You’re going to be in an arranged marriage?”
New news to me, too, buddy.
I’m hoping my eyes show a glimpse of my shock, but I hold it down just as Iva decides to speak.
“I’m aware that you’ve made it quite apparent to my father of your intentions to allow my younger sister, Emma Ivanka Prescott, to be wedded to your son, Domino Leighton,” she whispers and closes her eyes as she lowers her fork and knife. “It’s why it makes perfect sense as to why I’ve volunteered to be the Maiden for the Ruthless Kings of Leighton.”
That surprises Father—the actual shock on his face is delightful to witness in what has been a long fucking time. To see someone potentially beat him at his own fucked-up games is applaud-worthy.
“What is this?” Father questions but doesn’t hide the hint of fury in the underlying tone of his voice.
“I participated in the trials set out to obtain a queen or maiden worthy enough to appease the chosen Ruthless Kings during their time at Leighton Royals University. I’m aware of the academic requirements, which I’ve managed to surpass, and I was the last survivor of the trials. It’s the very reason why we were a tad tardy this evening due to beginning discussions regarding our contract,” she deciphers effortlessly.
She’s sitting tall and giving Father her full attention. Despite her stiff demeanor, her eyes are telling a different story as shestares at my father, as if he’s some sort of mastermind in her presence.
She’s playing some sort of game. Trying to break him down in a way only she knows how.
