Chapter 5
‘What’s Linda up to?‘ Elaine wondered.
Her heart raced, but she kept up her sad act. “Yeah, anything.”
‘Marry into the Vaughns, and I’ll have everything,‘ she thought.
A bit of begging now was worth it. Jasper was the prize.
Deal,” Linda said, raising an eyebrow. “Give me my room back.”
Eleanor and Charles had always wanted a daughter.
Even before Linda was born, they’d set up her room–right by their master suite.
It was a stunning space, every detail screaming their love.
It was hers, and she wanted it back.
“You mean my room?” Elaine asked, blinking.
Linda nodded. “Yup.“,
That was out of Elaine’s expectation, so she hesitated.
She said, her face tightening, “Linda, but I love that room. I’ve been used to it.”
“So Jasper’s worth less than a bedroom?” Linda said, her voice sharp with sarcasm.
“Fine, I’ll move,” Elaine said, acting like she was sacrificing for Jasper.
Linda nodded, pleased. “Clear out soon
I’ll get Mom and Dad to end my engagement with him.”
She slipped past Elaine into her room.
Elaine’s hands balled into fists.
‘Here we go,‘ she thought, steaming. ‘First, she takes Mom and Dad’s love. Now my room.
‘But it’s fine,‘ she told himself.
She was twenty–old enough to marry.
Once Linda dropped the engagement, she’d
jump
in and wed Jasper.
Then? The Prestons‘ world could shove
Picturing her dream life, Elaine’s lips twitched into a small smile.
She grabbed her phone, found the number she knew by heart, and sent a text.
What’s next?
In the Vaughn family Estate, two men were sitting in the living room,
One of them lounged on an Italian leather couch, looking like a model.
He had a face so striking, it felt like a crime against both gods and men.
His jet–black hair was neatly trimmed, framing deep, thoughtful eyes, a chiseled nose, and right–together, they made him devastatingly handsome.
, sculpted lips. Every feature was exquisite in its own
His white shirt was pristine, diamond cufflinks sparkling, buttoned up tight, all control and class.
His face was stone–cold, his vibe icy.
Just sitting there, legs crossed smoothly, he gave off a king’s power.
This was Jasper Vaughn, eldest grandson of Southport’s top family, next in line to run the Vaughn empire.
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Chapter 5
A meter back stood his assistants, Miles and Mira Vaughn.
They were both good–looking, standing sharp and ready for his commands.
Across from him, sprawled on another couch, was a guy chomping an apple, one leg kicked up.
Dressed in stylish clothes, his wine–red hair matched a face that stopped traffic.
He was Malcolm Vaughn, Jasper’s younger brother.
If Jasper was ice, Malcolm was fire–raw, wild energy.
Jasper stared at Elaine’s text, his brow creasing. He looked grim.
Malcolm could almost feel the air around him freezing.
Elaine: Jasper, Linda just told Mom and Dad she’s calling off the engagement. They’ll talk to your family soon. Just a heads–up!]
‘Calling off the engagement?‘ Jasper’s grip tightened.
Her phone gave in and cracked a little.
What the-? No way! Your fiancée’s ditching you?” Malcolm said, glancing at the text, his jaw dropping.
Jasper had no idea Malcolm was standing behind him.
Marrying Jasper was a fantasy most would die for, and dumping Jasper…
‘She’s nuts, Malcolm thought, then cracked up in astonishment.
#
IN
W
W
- x.
He pressed on. “Dude, this is sad! Your bride–to–be, the one you’ve been waiting for two years… Now she’s bailing? All set to go, and she still runs? Insane!”
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