The party started, and the guests settled into their seats, offering their blessings to Grandpa. He responded politely with the usual pleasantries.

I glanced at Maurice across the table, only to be intercepted by Jonathan, not acknowledging his rarely-seen cousin.

"I can make up for what happened earlier, but tonight, you must announce that Ruth is joining the Levinson Group," Jonathan whispered, leaning close. "Otherwise, don't expect our wedding to be smooth-sailing."

I stayed silent throughout the party, my gaze sweeping the room as some of the guests began complimenting Jonathan. Suddenly, Grandpa spoke in a serious tone.

"My granddaughter, Harps, isn't getting any younger. It's time she starts a family. Marriage is important, after all," he said, glancing toward Mr. Zink Senior.

At that, Jonathan casually ran a hand through his hair.

"Now, I see Harps and Maurice are well suit

Jonathan's eyes went as wide as saucers, panic evident on his face. "No, Harper. You're the only one I've ever thought about marrying. Why are you…"

He paused, as if struck by an epiphany. "I get it now. You're just mad that I didn't take your side earlier. That's why you're using Maurice to piss me off. A-And the other day, you're upset that I left with Ruth instead of you…

"We were doing it on purpose, Harper! It was just a prank! I've only ever loved you, I swear!"

I looked coldly at him. "Please watch what you say. I don't care who you love. It doesn't change the fact that Maurice is the man I intend to marry from the start."

My words only ticked Jonathan off even more. He tried to struggle out of their control and lunged toward me. "You can't do this to me, Harper! There's no way you have the heart to do this!"

Seeing that, Phoebe immediately shielded me from him. 

In both lif

Jonathan stepped in front of Ruth, shielding her as he glared at me. "Is this how the Levinsons treat their own people?"

Everything clicked when I saw him. I had been too cold to him at my birthday party, and he had said he would come today to "make it up to me". Ruth must've panicked and deliberately pulled this stunt.

I didn't bother arguing with either of them. I shoved Jonathan aside and looked straight at Ruth. "Give me the brooch!"

A flicker of guilt crossed Ruth's face, but with Jonathan standing next to her, she quickly straightened and spoke with confidence. "Jon bought it for me. Aren't you being too petty, Harper? You have so many nice things already. Why do you have to snatch mine?"

"Oh, really? Where did he buy it, then? Which brand? Can you say it?" I questioned. "Guards, hold her down and take the brooch off!"

As soon as I gave the orders, Jonathan moved fast and pulled Ruth behind him. "Don't you dare! I'm the eldest son of the Zink family. Touch me, and you're humiliating all the Zinks!"

He turned to me, glaring with warning. "I'm telling you right now that I bought that brooch for her. You're laying hands on her in front of everyone. Do you think you can get away with this? I might just call the police!"

Hearing him, I looked again at Ruth cowering behind him and completely lost my temper.

Jonathan had clearly seen that brooch before. Even if he had forgotten, there was no way someone with his taste wouldn't recognize the craftsmanship. It wasn't something one could buy at a regular store, and yet, he took Ruth's side.

I laughed. "Fine. Call the police. Let them run an investigation. Let's see if I'm slandering the innocent, or if there's a thief in our family."

Jonathan froze, shocked by how ruthless I sounded. He glanced at Ruth with doubt and then remembered why he had even come here today. "Harper, I know I messed up the other day. You're angry, I get it, but we're still getting married—"

Before he could finish, Ruth's hands trembled as she removed the brooch. "This was given to me by Jon, so it's extra special. But I don't want this to divide us further. If you want it, take it, Harper. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you."

Jonathan's expression softened. He snatched the brooch right back. "No, you can't give it to her! She can't always get away with it every single time!"

During the struggle, the brooch hit the flower stand and shattered. I finally lost it. I grabbed Jonathan by the collar and shouted, "Do you even realize what you just broke?"

He gasped for air, yelling for help, and the guests were shocked. They pointed and whispered among themselves, "What's going on? They don't even bother to hide their internal feud anymore!"

"Somebody, do something before anyone gets hurt!"

Taking advantage of the chaos, Ruth kicked me into the corner. "Harper, you can be mad at me—I'll take it—but how can you treat Jon like this?"

She held onto Jonathan, pretending to look helpless.

"Wow, I didn't expect Ms. Harper to be like this behind closed doors."

"Looks like Ms. Ruth is a good person. She doesn't show up much, but she seems very upright."

"Ms. Harper must be blinded by love. She's been pursuing Jonathan for years and still can't get him. Now, she's lashing out."

"She has to resort to this kind of behavior to tie down the man she loves. I honestly can't respect her."

The murmurs around me grew louder, but I didn't even glance at them. My eyes were fixed on the shattered brooch. I forced myself to stand and reach for it, but Ruth stepped right on my hand.

"Oopsie. Sorry about that," she said, feigning innocence.

I clenched my fist, ready to snap, when a man's voice cut through the chaos. "What's going on here?"

I looked up at him, and a smile bloomed across my face. 

He had come. He had chosen me.

The party started, and the guests settled into their seats, offering their blessings to Grandpa. He responded politely with the usual pleasantries.

I glanced at Maurice across the table, only to be intercepted by Jonathan, not acknowledging his rarely-seen cousin.

"I can make up for what happened earlier, but tonight, you must announce that Ruth is joining the Levinson Group," Jonathan whispered, leaning close. "Otherwise, don't expect our wedding to be smooth-sailing."

I stayed silent throughout the party, my gaze sweeping the room as some of the guests began complimenting Jonathan. Suddenly, Grandpa spoke in a serious tone.

"My granddaughter, Harps, isn't getting any younger. It's time she starts a family. Marriage is important, after all," he said, glancing toward Mr. Zink Senior.

At that, Jonathan casually ran a hand through his hair.

"Now, I see Harps and Maurice are well suited for each other. Let's settle the engagement today and transfer the shares," Grandpa continued. "F

Chapter 5