Queen of Wild Cards novel Chapter 9

Adopting a tone of deep, paternal concern, Frederick began, "Stella, you've been living out in the countryside with your grandfather all these years. You have no real skills, no formal education. Now that you're back, I naturally have to look out for your future. I've found an exceptional marriage arrangement for you. The family is incredibly wealthy. Once you marry into their family, you'll enjoy endless luxury and never have to suffer through a hard day in your life again.

Honestly, this match was originally intended for your sister. But Chloe is still in school and a bit too young. So, I decided to give this incredible opportunity to you, as a way to make up for all the years I wasn't there for you."

Stella didn't believe a single syllable that fell from his lips. Chloe was nineteen, only a year younger than her. If this arrangement was genuinely that spectacular, given how much Frederick despised her, there was no way in hell he would give it to her. He was treating her like an idiot!

Still, to see exactly how deep his scheme went, she tilted her head and asked, "Who's the guy? How old is he? Where does he live? Who's in his family? What does he do for a living? What's his annual salary?"

She fired off the rapid-fire questions without missing a beat.

Frederick was caught entirely off guard and needed a solid few seconds to process the interrogation. Annoyed, he snapped, "Why do you need so many details? Do you think you're a detective working a case? All you need to know is that his background is immaculate. You won't regret it. Marry him, and you're set for the rest of your life."

"That makes no sense, Mr. Hawthorne. It's my marriage, obviously I need the details. What era do you think we're living in? Are you really trying to force me into a blind, arranged marriage?"

Frederick's temper flared again. "You... watch your attitude! Stop calling me Mr. Hawthorne! I am your father, and I am doing this for your own good. Do you really think I would try to ruin your life?"

Stella delivered her airtight rebuttal with a perfectly arched eyebrow. "It's not that I don't want to call you 'Dad,' Mr. Hawthorne, but when I arrived yesterday, you explicitly stated you had no daughter. Did you forget your own words so quickly? You're only in your early fifties; are you going senile already?"

As for whether he would try to ruin her life—she was absolutely positive he would. After all, following her mother's death, not only had he completely abandoned her, but he had actively allowed Miranda and Chloe to torment her, never once stepping in to defend her.

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