The Ex-Con Who Conquered the World novel Chapter 9

Stefan paused mid-step, turning around. His deep gaze met Sara's limpid eyes.

In her eyes, he sensed a flash of something sharp and incisive.

Cold and domineering.

Interesting... Stefan thought with an inward smile. He stayed back. After everyone else had left, only he and Sara remained in the spacious room.

"What is it? No need for thanks. After all, we're about to become husband and wife soon."

Stefan sat down casually on the sofa, pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Holding a cigarette between his lips, he continued, "Or are you in such a hurry to... connect with me, to deepen our bond, right after waking up?"

Hearing this, a flicker of distaste crossed Sara's eyes. Seeing his actions, her disgust intensified. She immediately spoke up coldly, "I'm sorry, but smoking is not allowed in my room."

"Alright."

Stefan nodded, but the next moment—

Click!

A small flame flickered to life on the lighter. Stefan lit the cigarette, exhaled a plume of smoke, then looked back at Sara and asked, "Anything else?"

"You—"

Sara was so angry her delicate frame trembled. She propped herself up with a pillow, leaning against the headboard, her gaze sharp with demand. "Didn't I say smoking isn't allowed in my room? Didn't you hear me?"

"I heard you. I respect your request. But that doesn't mean I have to listen to you."

Stefan leaned back on the sofa, legs crossed, arms spread along the backrest. As he spoke, smoke continuously drifted from the corner of his mouth, looking every bit the classic villain.

Sara's delicate brows furrowed slightly, a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes.

Earlier, after her mother's brief explanation, she had secretly had her assistant gather all available information on Stefan, including his past relationship with Margery.

From the collected data, Stefan seemed utterly ordinary. In his relationship with Margery, he had been devoted and accommodating to a fault—frankly, the profile fit a "simp" and a "nice guy".

But Stefan's current demeanor and behavior were completely at odds with the image she had pieced together from the information.

Sara didn't dwell on it. She had already decided—from this moment on, there would be no further connection between her and Stefan.

"Stefan, I've grasped the gist of the situation. What era is this? Using a twenty-year-old piece of paper to decide two people's futures is absurd. You and I are strangers. Forcing a marriage is unreasonable.

"It's said that you were the one who brought me back, but I won't bother verifying if it's true. Whether it is or isn't, I see it as unnecessary.

"Still, your appearance did bring my family a glimmer of hope. As thanks, I'll give you ten million dollars."

Sara's tone was calm—not haughty, not overbearing, but utterly devoid of warmth. It felt like... she was negotiating a transaction.

Ten million?

A faint curve touched Stefan's lips. Who did she think she was dealing with?

Pocket change for a beggar?

"Pfft."

Stefan exhaled a stream of smoke, flicked the ash from his cigarette, and said flatly, "Just say what you want to say. No need to beat around the bush."

Sara looked slightly taken aback and couldn't help studying Stefan more closely.

This guy... he remained so calm and unmoved upon hearing her offer. That was unexpected.

After all, ten million was a fortune most people could never earn in a lifetime, enough to grant instant financial freedom to many.

"Call off the engagement."

Sara got straight to the point, continuing, "The engagement Grandpa arranged—we'll dissolve it ourselves. I'm not particularly hung up on social status or insisting on a perfect match. But you and I... We're simply not from the same world. We're bound to have no common topics or interests. Ending this is the best choice."

"You're right. We're definitely not from the same world."

Stefan nodded, agreeing with the statement.

Only, he didn't add, "Your world will never touch the heights of mine."

"So you agree with what I'm saying? It seems you do have some self-awareness. If you think ten million is too little, I can make it twenty... no, thirty million."

Sara spoke, her tone leaving no room for argument, settling the matter.

In her eyes, Stefan was indeed too ordinary, fundamentally incompatible with her.

He had willingly gone to prison for three years for an ex-girlfriend, only to be cast aside by her upon his release while she celebrated another man's birthday.

Sara was not someone who ate other people's leftovers.

"I have no objections."

Stefan smiled. Since the other party had made her stance so clear, he wouldn't attempt to cling or plead. Begging? Absolutely not.

Mayson had sent him to the Stewart family for their Profound Cold Earth Vein. Marrying a Stewart daughter was just one method.

Chuck's eyes lit up, pleased. "Sara, I support you!"

Thwack!

Audrey slammed her fork on the table, her voice rising sharply. "I do not agree! Sara, one must not be ungrateful! Stefan saved you, and there's a contract with the Stewart family. How can you treat an engagement like a child's game, canceling it on a whim?

"Stefan is loyal, responsible, and handsome. What exactly are you dissatisfied with?

"True character shows in adversity. Ever since you fell into a coma, all those suitors of yours vanished—not one came to see you. Compared to Stefan, they're worlds apart!

"In short, I absolutely forbid you from calling off this engagement!"

Audrey fired off a string of arguments, praising Stefan every now and then.

Sitting opposite Sara, Stefan listened, a slight smile curling his lips as he glanced at her.

Sara felt utterly speechless. A headache coming on, she rubbed her temples.

Chuck was about to say something, but Audrey cut him off, scolding, "And you, Chuck Stewart! If you dare encourage Sara to break the engagement, don't stay here. Get out of this house."

Chuck opened his mouth, then swallowed his words, muttering under his breath, "So with this kid around, you don't need your husband or daughter anymore."

"Mrs. Stewart, matters of the heart can't be forced..."

Stefan spoke up, trying to ease the tension.

"Hearts can't be forced, but feelings can grow over time. You and Sara have plenty of time for that."

Audrey stated firmly, then looked at Sara, her tone more severe, "I'm putting my foot down. If you call off the engagement with Stefan, I won't have you as my daughter!"

Knowing her mother was truly angry, Sara fell silent, planning to revisit the topic later.

After the meal, Sara returned upstairs.

"Stefan, you'll stay here from now on. Your room is on the second floor, right across from Sara's. It's already been prepared."

Audrey looked at Stefan with a smile. "Go upstairs later and take a look. If it's not to your liking, or if you're uncomfortable, just tell me. We have plenty of empty rooms."

"Alright."

Stefan nodded. A genuine warmth touched his heart.

A future mother-in-law who was so fiercely protective and uncompromising was indeed a rare find.