Chapter 222 - Continue Your Eengagement

New York,

Caitlin's going to Rochester's mansion in the dusk. She was just finishing her job and do some extra work to cover up his real career. The reason why she is here is that her father suddenly calls her back and have dinner with them.

Sighing, Caitlin keeps her face fills with a smile. Ever since she was a child, she always showing a smiling face to her father. Because her father like her to be the 'obedient' child.

"Lady Caitlin, Master and Madam, already waiting for you at the dining hall." One of the house attendants said while showing her the way to the dining hall.

"Is Sarah's here too?" She asked, and the attendant shakes his head. "No, Milady. Only Master and Madam today," he said, and Caitlin nods her head. A bit relief. At least that snake bitch is not around the house today.

She enters the dining hall, and Stephen stands up from his seat. Open up his arm widely to his daughter. "Caitlin, my love." He said, and Caitlin went to him, smile, and hug him a little. "Father," she said and went to the seat where the attendant already pulls the chair for her. It's the seat in front of her stepmother, and the old lady seems sour to see her today.

"What's the matter that father wants to see me today?" Caitlin start after the maid placed a plate of dinner in front of her. She slices the steak meat slice with the knives and forked it into her mouth. Chewing the juicy and tender meat with politeness.

"Can't a father have dinner with his daughter?" Stephen asked, and Caitlin smile at him. "Of course you can, father. It is just odd to me. You never call me if there's nothing important you want from me."

Stephen put down his cutlery and sip his wine. "Well, you're not wrong either. I do have something I want to discuss with you."

Elanor glances at her husband, feeling anxious about what he wants to say. She did see Benedict Lawrence visit his husband yesterday, and she doesn't have an idea as to why he was here.

"Hmm..I'm all ear, father." Caitlin casually said while continuing to slicing the steak on her plate.

"Remember your ex-fiance, Caitlin?" Stephen's voice sounds a bit exciting, and Caitlin stops her hand for a second before she continues to cut the meat again.

"What about him?" She asked. She's maintaining her voice to sound calm.

"Well, he said..that he wants to continue your engagement with him again. But, he said this time, he wants to make it grand. So you-"

"I decline the idea, father," Caitlin said and looked at her father's face. Obviously, he was shocked to hear her reply. All this time, she always obeying his instruction. But, not this time.

"What? Why? Do you know how influenced he is?? He can benefit us and-"

"Even so, I still not going to marry him, father. Enough with one time, I have been cheated on and forced to take the responsibility that I didn't do. I was a humiliation to him and you. Why do you want to put us together again? For the sake of your company? You not only have one daughter, father. I'm not only your option, aren't I? Don't you think it's a good time for your precious daughter to take responsibility for what she's done on her wedding day and accept this marriage proposal?"

"You! How insolent!" Elanor throws her fork to Caitlin, and she swiftly dodges it.

"Elanor!" Stephen roar and Elanor huffing while look at her husband. "She speaks ills about my daughter!"

"I didn't, my dear mother. It's the fact that everyone knows nowadays." Caitlin drives her anger again. Looking at how she protect Sarah, no wonder Sarah turned as the worst bitch in this world.

"Caitlin, I want you to consider this. After all, you love him, don't you?" Stephen said, and Elanor's storming out from the dining hall. Her appetite already died when her husband still wants to pair Caitlin with that rich guy. 'Why not he just accept Sarah instead of Caitlin?! Sarah is much better than that evil witch!'

"I used to. But not anymore, father. I have another 'love interest' with another man now. I hope you understand." She blurts out. The truth is..she doesn't have anyone.

Well, maybe Flynn is the right candidate. However, she still not sure whether Flynn will take her seriously or just…a 'buddy.' Even though she know Flynn is not like any other man. She rarely sees him with any girl.

He always does his jobs alone and not look like Mr. Bond at all. He was totally independent and solo.

"But-"

Caitlin put down her fork and look at the old man again. "Father, Sarah is beautiful, intelligent, sophisticated, and polite. Don't you think she's a perfect date for Mr. Benedict? If she is engaging with Mr. Benedict, all of the rumor about her, your company, and everything will gain back to normal, right? Mr. Benedict is indeed a powerful man in this state. Therefore, he will gladly help his fiance, Sarah."

Caitlin spurs a motivational word to her father. With that, Stephen's eyes sparkling a bit with hope. "You're right."

Smirked, Caitlin sips her drink. 'Although I'm very sure Ben doesn't want that bitch to be his bride. But, at least, I can get out of this situation.'

A moment after, Stephen's face suddenly turns sour again. "But, he wants you," he mutters, and Caitlin still smiling.

"Then don't tell him that you replace us. Not until the engagement day. When it comes to that day, he still needs to declare his fiance in front of everyone, right?"

Stephen still has a bit worried in his mind. "What if he rejects her?"

"Father, in a hall full of media and important people, how can he reject her? He's the one who wants the engagement with our family first. If you that worried, maybe you can cover Sarah's face on that day. And for Rochester's safety, sign the project with him first. Make sure all the project is in your hand before the engagement day." Caitlin gives him an idea before she wipes her lips with the napkin.

She already finishes her eating and ready to go out of this mansion anytime. "Are you sure you want to give him to Sarah?"

Smiling, Caitlin nods her head happily. "I'm very much sure, father. I love this new guy. So, to catch up with my lost year in prison, let me live my way, please. I didn't ask much."

"Hmm.." Stephen was still thinking before he finally nods her head. "Have your way then."

"Thank you, father." Caitlin stands up and hugs her father for goodbye and walks out of the mansion.

She was very much in a happy mood. Well, who knows that her father will listen to her idea? And Brian? How dare him! After she's blatantly rejecting him, he went his way to pursue her family, huh?

'Let's see how you're gonna end up with that bitch!'

…

The next morning,

When Claudia wake up, she was naked in a strange room. She frowned and looked around her. It was totally different from her bedroom.

"Oh! Good morning, Ma'am." A young man walks inside the room while bringing a tray of breakfast for her.

"Who are you?" Claudia asked and rubbed her face a few times.

"I'm just a gardener, Ma'am. You bang into my room last night." He said and ready to leave her and find clothes for her.

"Wait. What?" Claudia can't catch up with his word.

"Why would I-" She then gasp and looks at the man, he's smiling contently.

"I'll pick up your clothes now, Ma'am."

When the man leaves the room, she rubs her forehead. "Fuck, no! Did I.."

"Dammit." She clenched her jaw. She thought it must be Luna's doing to drug her yesterday night.