Chapter 7

For some reason, Rebecca's heart clenched tight even though it had only been a text, not a phone call. Worried he might be waiting, she quickly replied, "Alright, Uncle Frank… no, I mean, Frank. There's also something I need to tell you. Our marital home… was wrecked." After a long pause, Frank's reply came. "Did my three nephews do that?" Rebecca fell silent, before finally replying, "Yes." Frank's simple reply calmed her tremendously. It read, "I'll be there for you from now on." Rebecca started tearing up upon reading his text. She was certain that he would always be there moving forward. … The Shaws hosted a welcome-back party the next day. The day after that, just as Rebecca walked in, she saw the three Shaw brothers surrounding Sally. "Don't be scared, Sally. Even though Uncle Frank looks cold, he doesn't bite. You don't need to be so nervous." Her gaze was downcast as she remained nervous, sweat beading on her forehead. "But I'm scared. This is the first time I'm meeting Uncle Frank. Do you think he'll like me?" "Of course he will! You're so wonderful—anyone is bound to like you after meeting you!" "Don't worry, we're here with you. You don't have to be afraid when meeting the elders. If anything happens, you can just hide behind us." With Brandon, Yves, and Harvey comforting her, Sally finally took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll definitely make a good impression on Uncle Frank!" Seeing her put on her sweet, innocent act, Rebecca let out a faint, mocking smile before going to find her seat. Brandon's expression instantly turned cold upon seeing her. "You sure show up often. Now that you know the wedding's in a few days and you're about to marry into the Shaw family, you're eager to butter up Uncle Frank?" Yves scoffed. "Unfortunately, no matter how much you butter him up, and no matter which one of us you end up marrying, you're not going to have a good life after the wedding. You can't force something that's never meant to be." Rebecca replied calmly, "I've said this many times, but my arranged marriage partner is neither of you." Irritated, Harvey immediately interrupted her, "How many times have you said that already? And you're still repeating it to this day. Have you run out of tricks already? Didn't you learn your lesson the last time?" Rebecca did not refute him. She merely looked toward the entrance, feeling at peace. They wouldn't believe in her no matter how much she tried to explain anyway. She'd let Frank, the uncle they'd revered so much, announce it himself. Rebecca had no intention of provoking them anymore, but sure enough, Sally came over holding a bowl. "I remembered that you like pumpkin soup. You can't quite reach it, so let me help you." She ladled the steaming soup into a bowl. Just as she was about to hand it to Rebecca, she deliberately let the bowl slip. The scalding hot soup immediately splashed all over Rebecca, causing her exposed skin to burn and redden from contact. "What are you doing, Sally?" Rebecca yelled. Brandon immediately pulled Sally into his arms. "Why are you raising your voice? She didn't do it on purpose, so why are you overreacting?" "Sally was just helping you to get some soup. So what if it spilled? It's not even that hot—why are you yelling at her? Can't you see you've made her cry?" Yves hurriedly wiped her tears away. Harvey barked, "You've frightened Sally, Rebecca. Apologize to her now!" Rebecca couldn't believe they were actually asking her—the victim—to apologize to the perpetrator. Rebecca's mind buzzed. The door opened just as she was about to retort. The sunlight poured in as everyone turned to look. A man dressed in a sharp suit stepped in, but it wasn't Frank. Instead, it was his assistant, Eli Dawnson. "Sorry for the wait. Mr. Frank has urgent matters to attend to, and his return had to be delayed a few days. He asks for your understanding," he said. As the head of the Shaw family, Frank's schedules were unquestionable. Everyone immediately nodded in understanding. At the same time, Eli glanced around the room before walking straight toward Rebecca. His previously distant demeanor instantly softened when he faced her. He said, "Please come with me, Ms. Underwood. Mr. Frank has important matters he wishes to discuss with you in private."