Chapter 6 My Daughter Is Promised To Another!

Alexander attempted a conciliatory smile. "Rena, let's not be hasty. Here, have some water and calm down."

He filled a cup and continued, "Legally, this is the situation, but you are still my daughter. I'm not heartless. That's why I've brought you here-to talk it over."

Despite her rage simmering, Rena's curiosity was piqued by his words.

She cautiously took a sip of the water and laid out her conditions.

Alexander nodded enthusiastically, urging Richard to take notes. "Absolutely, no issues at all."

Rena sensed something was amiss. Alexander had always desired to kick her and her mother out of the family so that he could live with his mistress. He had always been mean to them. His sudden benevolence was suspicious.

Then, a wave of dizziness washed over her, her limbs growing weak.

Her realization dawned too late, her eyes widening in terror as she stared at Alexander. "Did you slip something into the water?"

Alexander's laughter was chilling. "You catch on quick, don't you?"

Alexander shot Richard a calculating glance. "She's determined and won't agree to marry you willingly. Once you have your way with her, she'll have no other option."

Richard eyed Rena with unsettling eagerness, his voice unnervingly soft. "Don't worry, I'll be gentle."

He moved swiftly, pulling Rena close and deeply inhaling her fragrance. "Rena, despite being ousted, with me, you won't need anything. I'll ensure your happiness."

As his hands began to roam inappropriately, Rena's jaw tightened in anger.

"You!" she spat out, her anger seething. She was painfully aware that Alexander would resort to any means to force this marriage.

Yet, she had an ace up her sleeve. She declared defiantly, "I'm already married!"

When they heard her declaration, disbelief washed over Alexander's and Richard's faces.

Alexander's voice was incredulous as he snapped, "What nonsense is this? Married? To whom? Are you trying to play us for fools? We're not idiots."

Richard's grin widened with sleaze as he dismissed her outright. "Rena, lying is unbecoming. You've never been touched by a man, have you?"

Panicked, Rena retreated, but her foot caught on a chair, sending her tumbling to the floor.

As Richard advanced, Rena's cry for help filled the room.

Just then, the door to the room burst open. A formidable figure framed by the backlight stood at the threshold, his voice booming. "Who dares lay a hand on my wife?"

Alexander and Richard turned, shocked.

Kellan brushed past Richard, scooping Rena into his arms. His voice was a comforting whisper. "I'm right here..."

"Kellan..."

Alexander scoffed, seeing through her act.

Rena had married some stranger to thwart his arrangements.

His anger peaked, and he slammed his hand down on the table, bellowing, "You deceived my daughter into marrying you, right? I demand an annulment at once! My daughter is promised to another!"

"Promised?" Kellan's reply was cool and dismissive, his gaze sweeping over Alexander and Richard without a hint of concern. "I wasn't informed of any engagement."

Richard rose from the floor, brushing himself off indignantly. "I'm her fiancé! Do you even know who I am? How dare you meddle with my betrothed? You won't last a day in Roystin once I'm through with you!"

Kellan surveyed him with a dismissive glance and scoffed, "Really? Her fiancé? You're more suited to be her father's mate with that look."

Alexander, red-faced and incensed, bellowed, "Enough of your insolence! Are you asking for trouble, you fool? Someone!"

He barked for assistance, and the restaurant manager hurried over with his team.

"Seize this man at once!" Alexander demanded furiously.

The manager turned to Kellan, his face draining of color.

He recognized him as the notorious and powerful young head of the Payne family. How could he possibly apprehend his own boss?

Crossing Kellan could spell disaster.

Gulping nervously, the manager gestured to his staff, who instead detained Alexander and Richard.

Confounded, Alexander and Richard protested as they struggled, "What is this madness? You're making a mistake!"

The manager kept his composure, offering a strained smile. "I apologize, gentlemen, but you've just crossed a line with Mr. Payne. I must ask you to leave the premises immediately and not return."

Stunned, Alexander and Richard exchanged bewildered glances.

Unbeknownst to them, they had tangled with a Payne?

Could the man Rena married belong to that influential family?

The manager, declining to elaborate, motioned for his staff to escort them out, then turned to address Kellan with a respectful nod.

Kellan's intense look silenced any further questions, his commanding presence undeniable as he walked away.

Rena, cradled in Kellan's arms, was still trying to process the events.

Surprised by their unexpected rescue, she murmured weakly, "Kellan, are you somehow related to the Payne family?"

Why else would the manager claim they had offended a Payne?