It was another early morning, but it was not a usual morning for the Carters. "Nathalia, are you and Spencer Davidson really engaged?"

Frank couldn't believe what he saw. He rubbed his eyes and looked at the newspaper again. It is true.

​​

"Spencer Davidson (Chairman of the Davidson Group) and Nathalia Carter's (older daughter of the Carters) Engagement Party on the 8th Next Month," it said clearly on the front page.

The news shocked the Carter's, like the world, was going to end, especially Evette. She found it extremely difficult to accept.

She snatched the newspaper from Frank, and tears filled her eyes as she read the cruel words. "Impossible! Impossible! How could he..." she screamed in disbelief.

However, it was a fact. No matter how hard she screamed, it would not change the fact.

Anne cuddled Evette to comfort her and calm her, and then she glared at Nathalia, "Nathalia, why haven't you mentioned it?"

She's getting more and more clever and calculating. None of us had even noticed. We had to find out from the news! I had to be careful with her.

Nathalia pretended she didn't get the disapproval and hostility implied. She smiled happily like a girl in love and replied, "It doesn't really matter, does it? Now you know anyway."

Frank contemplated for a while, then he smacked the table, stood up, and yelled at Nathalia, "Nonsense! We are your parents! How could you not even talk to us about it? I don't agree with the engagement. I disapprove of it."

I can't let it happen. If Spencer has her back, then all my plans won't work. This is not acceptable.

Anne knew exactly what her husband was thinking, so she added, "Nathalia, this is something serious. It's a big decision to make. Spencer Davidson isn't the right one for you."

Evette jumped in right afterward. She sneered, "Exactly. Neither dad nor mum agrees. You can't just decide on your own. Spencer is just playing games with you. He's not serious. Look at yourself. There's nothing about you that's good enough for him."

Nathalia lifted her eyebrow and questioned casually, "Is that so?"

She understood that the more they were against it, the more scared they felt. A sense of satisfaction filled her heart.

No matter how they persuaded or mocked her, she remained calm and unchanged. She insisted that she would not change her decision.

Frank was furious, and he asked for his assistant. "Call the press and ask them to delete the news right now."

He couldn't care about losing face or agitating Spencer Davidson then. What he cared about was to make his plans work so that he could get Nathalia's inheritance.

Money is the most important! Money can buy everything. It's true that Spencer Davidson is someone extraordinary. But it's usually men like that that care less about women. All men are the same; power and wealth are the ultimate goals, while anything else matters not.

"Yes, Mr. Carter." The assistant replied, looking awkward. He quickly left, but came back within just a minute, disappointed and a bit scared.

"Mr. Carter, the press said you would have to talk to Spencer Davidson. They can't decide."

It wasn't something he didn't expect. Who would dare go against Spencer Davidson anyway?

Frank's face turned cold and even frightening-looking. It was as if he could see all his money flying into someone else's pocket, and he was frustratingly torn.

He glanced at Nathalia a few times. The more I look at her, the uglier she looks. He thought.

"Nathalia, give Spencer a call." He ordered.

Anne was right. Nathalia can't be trusted. Ungrateful. Just a waste of my time and money raising her up.

Nathalia pouted and remained seated.

Evette quickly went and grabbed the phone, forcing Nathalia to make the call. "Here, hurry up. Tell him you refuse to be engaged. Tell him you are not good enough for him."

Anne watched intensely. She hurried her, persuaded her, sweet-talked her, anyway she could think of.

Seeing the three anxious faces, Nathalia found it ridiculous and absurd. It made her want to laugh.

When she finally obeyed and dialed the phone, the other side answered straight away.

"Honey..." her sweet voice traveled to the other end, and he loved how she had addressed him.

She felt safe and confident simply by calling him the way no one else, but she could.

Wait, when have I started to feel close to and dependent on him? She suddenly realized. This is not a good sign.

"Yes, Babe? What's the matter?" Spencer grew a bit anxious as there was silence for a few seconds.

Evette stood right next to Nathalia, making sure she would not miss a word. Jealous and angry, she demanded as quietly as she could. "Say it! Have you lost your voice?!"

Though quiet she was, Nathalia had smartly pressed the 'speaker' button, and Spencer heard every word.

"Who's insulting you?! Is that Evette Carter? How dare she?" Spencer snapped.

No one could miss the anger and fury in his tone. It shot through Evette's heart like a knife. She was angry, jealous, and scared.

"No, Spencer. You misunderstood. Why would I insult Nathalia? It's...er. Nathalia wants to tell you something."

Nathalia didn't even take a glance at Evette but sighed helplessly.

"Honey, perhaps we can't get engaged..."

Her voice was filled with sadness, helplessness, and regret.

Anne knew it wasn't going right. She's doing it again. Cunning Fox. She thought as she glared at Nathalia.

As Anne expected, a smashing sound came through the phone, deafening.

"Whose idea is that? Ask them to talk to me."

Even though it was only on the phone, the threatening fury thundered the room. Frank was stunned. He couldn't believe that he was actually terrified by a young man.

"Just say it's your idea. You made a rush decision, and now you regret it..." He didn't even dare to pick up the phone, but murmured nervously as he waved his hand at Nathalia frantically,

"Mr. Carter, is there anything you would like to talk to me about?" Spencer said coldly as if he could see how Frank reacted from the other side of the phone.

Frank's face went pale. Cold sweats gathered around his forehead. Young, but intimidating.

Frank forced an awkward laugh and shook his head, forgetting that Spencer was on the phone and could not see him.

"No, no, no. You've misunderstood. My daughter, Nathalia, is still young. She doesn't understand. You are too good for my daughter, you see. She's not good enough for..."

He now blamed Nathalia for it and dared not said an unfavorable word towards Spencer.

Nathalia tilted her lips. Expected. Always my fault.

Before Frank could finish, another smashing sound came from the other side. "Or you actually look down upon me and think I am not good enough for Nathalia?" Spencer yelled back.

"Kelly," he called his secretary. "Buy in the Carter's shares, as many as possible! We are holding a press conference in two hours and tell everyone, and the Davidson won't do any business with the Carter's anymore. Also, if any other company..."

Spencer fired a long list of orders, each one against the Carters. He made sure Frank knew he was serious, and he was furious.

Anyone that displeased him would be punished!

Anyone that brought any harm to Nathalia was welcoming death to themselves!

Anne could hardly breathe, terribly frightened, and recalling the previous incident. Her face was as pale, if not paler than, her loving husband.

She couldn't imagine experiencing those days again.

Frank read her thoughts or to be exact, and he was worried about the same thing.

"No, no, no. This is private. Please, Mr. Davidson. It's not worth it."

Gosh. I didn't know he cares about Nathalia that much. What am I going to do now?

He was in a total loss. What should I do? What should I do? He panicked.

Nathalia smiled secretively. Now he's punished for his selfishness and meanness.

"Mr. Carter, do I need you to tell me what to do?" Spencer sounded even calmer and colder. His voice made them shiver.

Anne and Frank looked at each other, both pale-faced, terrified.