"What nonsense are you saying?" Ava was baffled by her daughter's insanity. She was gettting out of control and at this rate, they would no longer be able to make her do anything. She was even able to get such nonsense out of her mouth! They had spoiled her too much. Now that she thought about it, they shouldn't have rushed to give her any shares in the family business before her marriage. "Don't you feel entitled. Thinking up such nonsense could make you lose everything overnight."

Natalie laughed at her mother's overreaction. "I have worked hard enough. There is no way I could lose everything overnight unless someone tries to meddle. Someone like you, mother." She exposed her mother's thought mercilessly, making the latter shift uncomfortably in guilt. "Besides, I'm only trying to understand you. You think Zaria cannot command the company but I can?" She shook her head. "That's not how it works, mother. If there is any woman with the ability to control a man, it is the woman he loves and for Desmond, that would be Zaria."

Her words were like a slap in Ava's face. She was indirectly reminding her motther that the man who she was forcing her to marry belonged to another woman already. However, Ava's shame knew no bounds and she blamed Natalie for it. "Why do you let her control him? He is your man!"

"If he is my man then he is cheating on me! He is doing it in the presence of everyone too, as though he can't wait for the whole world to find out. Why do you want to force me into marriage with a man who is cheating on me? I have always heard of infidelity causing divorce but for the first time I'm hearing of infidelity causing marriage." She knew that she should reveal the truth, but this was his agreement with Desmond and it was up to him when he wanted to end it. Otherwise, the repercussions might just make the situation much worse for her.

Her parents might force her to marry someone else, which was worse than death. If worst came to worst, she would rather be forced to be with Desmond who would respect her despite not loving each other than end up with one of those insanely arrogant billionaires. However, he had a soulmate now so she hoped that it wouldn't boil down to that. She didn't wish to be the reason for Zaria's heartbreak.

Owen had enough of his daughter's argument. He banged the table and glared at her. "This discussion is over. You have to get married tonight."

As soon as he finished speaking, Desmond made his way into the living room with his mother behind him. "Why did you call me?" He asked impatiently, as though he couldn't wait for them to say whatever they wanted to say and let him go.

Ava was relieved, as she had thought that Desmond would refuse to come which would make the matter more distressing for her and Owen.

" For the only reason you can imagine." She smiled at Alyssa to thank her for bringing her son-in-law.

"My marriage with Natalie?" Desmond glanced at his friend who was on the verge of crying and would have spewed insults at them if she didn't shake her head.

"Yes." Ava was overjoyed thatt Desmond knew why he was here. This would make it easier for them, since his arrival despite knowing the reason for the summon must mean that he was ready to go through with the marriage.

"It is not happening." The man deadpanneed.

"What are you talking about?" Owen and Ava were furious and so was Alyssa.

"I came here to cancel my engagement to Natalie." He declared. "I am not willing to be her husband. Not now, not ever. And the fact that you are trying to force us is only making matters worse."

Owen would have punched Desmond across the face if they didn't need him. He fumed as he stood to face the shameless scumbag. "What's wrong with my daughter? Why don't you want to marry her after tainting her?"

Desmond burst into laughter. "I tainted Natalie?" What nonsense have this couple been imagining?

Natalie facepalmed as her mother raged in fury while continuing to advocate for her.

"No one will want to marry a woman who was ditched by her fiancé. Have you no heart?" She was hurt on behalf of her daughter.

On the other hand, Alyssa sighed in relief. Although she liked Natalie and would have loved for a collaboration to happen between the Fort and Sparks families, she wouldn't want her son to marry a woman who was cheating on him. Who knew what she would do later?

To Ava's rant, Desmond could only scoff in ridicule. "Who needs a heart when they can gain more benefits by being heartless?"

Ava was about to slap him when she heard her statement which made her stop in shock. "What do you mean?"

Desmond glanced at Natalie who was hiding her joy, then at his mother and the Sparks couple. A smirk settled on his lips. "A tycoon promised me innumerable benefits." He crossed his legs on the couch as he tapped the coffee table, as though trying hard not to break into a dance. "I cannot explain the details but I will basically be the wealthiest man in Europe in the blink of an eye if I marry her daughter."

"What?" Owen was the first to react in shock.

____

Which Tycoon do you think promised Desmond such benefits just for him to marry their daughter? They are not necessarily within this book, as long as they are in Olphire.

Henry Blanc for his foster daughter Katy?

The President for his spoiled daughter?

Leland Santino for his Doll Ludovica?

Amanda Caron for her younger daughter Miranda?

Any other guess?

Give the wildest guesses, let's make this fun XD

My first wild 'guess' : Liam has a sister and his parents are finding her a potential partner.