Right then, the butler, Benjamin Moss, hurried in with worry written across his face. "Mr. Owen is here."
Walter stopped in the middle of serving himself and looked up. "Why would he come here?"
"He said he's here to cancel the engagement."
A shadow crossed Matthew's face at once. "Cancel it? That match was set up by Grandfather. Do they really think they can walk away whenever they feel like it? Are we supposed to just accept that?"
Bobby gave a short, amused scoff. "Scarlett just came home, and they rush over to end it? What exactly do they think of the Gordon family?"
After gently wiping the corners of her mouth with a napkin, Scarlett lifted her head. "The Owen family... are they influential?"
Gillian exhaled softly and held Scarlett's hand. "Scarlett, even within powerful circles, there are levels. We have our standing, but the Owens sit at the very top. Its current head took over the Owen Group at a young age, and his methods are known to be decisive and unforgiving. Your grandfather arranged that engagement years ago. At the time, it was meant to secure ties between the two families..."
Her voice faltered, and her eyes grew damp again. When Scarlett disappeared years ago, the engagement had been transferred to the woman they had raised in her place. Now that Scarlett had returned, the Owens had come to withdraw. It was obvious they didn't place much value on a daughter who hadn't grown up in their circle.
Scarlett nodded calmly. "So it was decided long ago." She met her mother's gaze without hesitation. "I don't even know him, and he clearly doesn't want this marriage. Ending it now is probably the best outcome. You can't make something work if it was never meant to happen," she said evenly. Then she looked at Walter. "Dad, let's go downstairs. We shouldn't leave our guests waiting."
Grayson followed her with his eyes as she walked away, and quiet pride showed on his face.
...
Inside the Gordon family's living room, the atmosphere felt tight and restrained.
Asher occupied the black leather sofa at the center.
His suit was cut to perfection, and he sat with one leg crossed over the other, relaxed yet commanding, as if the entire room belonged to him.
At his side, his assistant stepped forward and set a document on the table. "Mr. Gordon, this is the agreement to formally end the engagement. As compensation, the Owen Group is willing to provide three hundred million in cash."
Anger flashed across Walter's face, and he was on the verge of responding when a steady female voice came from the staircase.
"There won't be any need for compensation." Scarlett walked down step by step, her tone calm and firm. "I'm willing to end the engagement."
Asher lifted his gaze. The instant he saw her clearly, his eyes narrowed just a little, and a hint of amusement tugged at his lips.
It was her. The woman he had met on that stormy night was standing before him now, and she was the Gordon family's heiress.
Dressed in a pale pink tweed dress, Scarlett walked forward with soft curls falling neatly down her back. Her skin looked bright under the lights, and her delicate features carried a quiet elegance.
The moment she saw his face clearly, she stopped in her tracks.
She never imagined the man from that night would be sitting here.
After a brief pause, she steadied herself and reached for the agreement on the table.
Before her fingers could brush the paper, a long, defined hand came down and held it in place.
Asher leaned in slightly, and the subtle scent of cedar surrounded her.
His eyes locked onto hers, and a faint smile appeared. "So you're the one I was meant to marry?"
"The previous engagement was assigned to the girl we raised when Scarlett was missing. Now that our biological daughter has returned, the arrangement naturally shifts back to her," Walter answered calmly.
Asher's fingers tapped against the tabletop in an easy rhythm. His tone sounded relaxed, yet firm. "Then there's no need to cancel it. The engagement remains."