With his long legs crossed, Bernard shot Gretchen a pointed look and spoke in a deliberately shrill voice laced with sarcasm.
“Oh, wow, some people have no class to their name, but they sure act like royalty. Dang!”
Reinhold cleared his throat. “This family gathering is a good opportunity to discuss the family’s plans to welcome Gigi and—”
From the shadows, Bernard chimed in. “Dad, you really don’t need to stress over this. The kind of engagement ceremonies we want is nothing like what you’re used to.”
Reinhold’s face immediately hardened. His tone was sharp when he said, “Don’t interrupt me. Wait until I’m done.”
But Bernard wasn’t done yet. He shrugged and kept talking. “I’m just saying, Gretchen and I can figure it out ourselves. You guys don’t need to butt in.”
Seeing his father’s temper on the verge of exploding, Terrence, who had been quietly disinfecting Gretchen’s wound, finally spoke up.
“Looking at Gretchen’s condition, the engagement ceremony might have to be postponed. If she gets hurt again, her recovery’s only going to take longer.”
Reinhold and his wife both nodded in agreement. “Indeed. These formalities aren’t that urgent anyway.”
Unexpectedly, Bernard chimed in again. “Come on, she’s totally faking it! You should’ve seen her at the hospital earlier—she was running like she had wheels on her feet!”
That was the last straw for Reinhold. He slammed his hand on the table and glared. “Bernard! Who told you it’s okay to talk to her like that? Show some manners to your soon-to-be sister-in-law!”
The words “sister-in-law” made Bernard’s face go pale and his mouth wide in disbelief. “Wait… what? Dad, did you just call her my sister-in-law?”
Terrence picked up the conversation smoothly. “Yeah, Bernard. I’m your older cousin, and I’m going to marry Gretchen soon. That makes her your future sister-in-law.”
Reinhold stroked his beard and gave a satisfied smile. “Well, well, this works out perfectly. Gigi, I remember you studied finance, didn’t you? You and Terrence really are a great match!”
Terrence’s gaze softened as he looked at Gretchen. “From now on, Gretchen, you can just do what you enjoy. As for the business side of things, you can take charge if you want, or leave it to me if you don’t. No need to push yourself too hard.”
That warm look in his eyes made Gretchen’s eyes start to sting.
Bernard, however, suddenly shouted, “No, this isn’t happening!”
Reinhold’s bright expression now darkened again. “Bernard! Stop acting like a fool in front of me and your older cousin! This isn’t your place to talk!”
But Bernard still muttered to himself in disbelief. “This is impossible! She was supposed to marry me! Gretchen, say something!”
Gretchen raised her eyes to look at the face she had loved for so many years, a face she had now let go of.
“I’m marrying your cousin. From now on, please address me as your future sister-in-law.”
Suddenly, Bernard grabbed a glass and smashed it against the floor.
“Whoah, Gretchen, you’ve really got some nerve, huh?! You lied to me, and now you’ve tricked my family too! You and my cousin have no connection whatsoever, and yet you’re clinging to him like this? What a shameless slut you are!”
That made Reinhold’s face turn pale as a sheet with fury. “You bastard! Shut your mouth!”
Terrence stood up, his sharp eyes flashing behind his glasses. “Bernard, let me make this clear.”
“I, Terrence, will be engaged to Gretchen in three days. The wedding date will be decided later. You’ll get an invitation. Make sure you show up.”
