THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

It was a photo, clear, and perfectly lit. Mia’s hand, dainty and graceful, extended toward the camera. A diamond ring sparkled on her finger, flawless, bold, defiant.

The caption underneath read: “I said yes to the love of my life.”

For a second, Samuel didn’t breathe. Not a muscle moved, his eyes locked on the screen, unmoving, as if staring long enough would make the words vanish.

Cassandra peeked over his shoulder, her brows rising. “Oh… oh, she’s good.”

Samuel’s hand tightened around the edge of the tablet until his knuckles went white. The metal frame bent slightly under the force.His breath hitched, then just like the wind his breath became controlled, and evened out as he forced a calmness that didn’t reach his eyes.

He placed the tablet on the desk gently, deliberately, like a man setting down a chess piece. “She wouldn’t do this to me,” he said softly, almost like a whisper to himself. “This is her way of apologizing. Her way of coming back.”

Cassandra raised an eyebrow. “She’s apologizing?” Samuel ignored her and sat down in his chair, a slow smile spread across his face.

“She finally came to her senses,” he murmured. “This… this is her agreeing to the arrangement. She’s smart. I knew she wouldn’t disappoint me.” The assistant stepped forward nervously.

“Sir, with all due respect, I think…..” Samuel raised a hand to silence him.

“No need for panic,” he said smoothly. “Let’s watch it together. She knows what’s expected of her. She’s going to make me proud.”

Cassandra, standing off to the side, crossed her arms tightly. Her eyes narrowed at the screen.

“That brat,” she muttered under her breath. “Is this her game now? Trying to steal the spotlight by pretending she still matters?”

Samuel didn’t even blink.

As the live stream began, the camera panned to a sleek, black luxury car pulling up to the venue. The crowd buzzed, flashes exploded like fireworks. The door opened slowly… and Mia stepped out like a queen reclaiming

her throne.

She looked radiant, composed, effortless.

Samuel leaned forward slightly, pride glinting in his eyes.

“There she is,” he said, voice low and reverent. “That’s my daughter.” he said softly.

For a flicker of a second, something twisted in his chest.

If only she had been a son.

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He’d loved her when she was born, he’d held her in his arms and felt the swell of pride any father would. It hadn’t seemed so bad then, having a daughter first. But when the doctors said his wife could never bear another child, something inside him had cracked.

A woman couldn’t rule Meyer Holdings. Not when Jeremiah Sterling, his oldest rival, was watching, waiting to laugh at his downfall.

No, women weren’t created to rule. They were created to follow, to stand beside power, not hold it. That’s why he’d raised Mia the way he did.

He wasn’t trying to ruin her, he was trying to mold her. Make her understand that her place was beside him, and now beside Ethan, his son. And if she gets married to Julian Thorn, she would gain some of their shares. Then, she and Ethan together, could run his empire.

Only then could he rest, knowing his legacy was in strong, capable hands. Hands that wouldn’t tremble, nor would bleed emotions over business.

He smiled again, eyes still on the screen. She’ll understand with time, he thought. She has to, because it’s the only way to survive in this world.

Cameras flashed like lightning. The air was thick with anticipation as Mia stepped onto the stage, elegance in every line of her posture. Elena trailed behind her, giving a slight nod to the press before stepping aside. The murmurs quieted instantly. Everyone wanted to hear what Mia Meyer had to say.

She stood behind the podium, composed, beautiful, confident. Only the sharpest eyes might have noticed the flicker in hers, the subtle twitch in her cheek, the faint tension in her hands. But she didn’t let it show. She smiled, a perfect crescent of warmth and grace.

A journalist stood. “Miss Mia, how do you feel about your father naming someone else heir over you?”

She hesitated for a split second. It wasn’t the question itself, it was the sting behind it. She had rehearsed this, she knew they would ask. But it still didn’t make it less painful, but she buried her emotions so deep she could smile right through the pain.

“I feel… honored,” she said gently, her voice even. “My father has always done what he believes is best for the company. And if he feels his son is better suited to carry on his legacy, then I stand by that. He’s a brilliant man. I trust his judgment.”

The cameras flashed faster, and Samuel, watching from his office, leaned back with a smug, satisfied smile. That’s my girl,” he murmured. “Smart. Loyal.”

Cassandra, sitting on the edge of the desk, crossed her arms tightly, her eyes narrowing. Brat.

Another reporter stood. “You seem to really admire him. What about the engagement he announced yesterday? Is it true?” Mia didn’t even blink. Her smile widened, lips as smooth as silk.

“Yes. My father was right about that. I am engaged… to the love of my life.” She raised the ring up, so it’ll be visible enough for everyone.

Up in his office, Samuel leaned back in his chair with a smug grin stretching across his face. Cassandra watched in silent rage. “She knows her place,” Samuel muttered. “Smart girl.”

The murmurs swelled again until a voice, louder, bolder, broke through the press of sound.

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“I heard you and Stefan Sterling have been secretly seeing each other. So why are you now engaged to Julian Thorn? Is it because your dad was forcing you?”

The room fell still. As if the air had been sucked out of the hall. You could hear the click of a single camera shutter, the faint buzz of the ceiling lights.

Samuel jerked forward, eyes narrowed.

“What the hell is going on? What has Stefan Sterling got to do with all this” he snapped to no one in particular, before turning sharply to his assistant “Who was that? Find out who that reporter is. I want their name, company, and every damn article they’ve written in the past six months. Now!”

His assistant didn’t hesitate. He bolted like he was being chased by fire.

Back at the press conference, Mia froze, but only for a breath. Then, she tilted her head slightly and looked directly into the camera, eyes burning with clarity.

She knew exactly who had planted that question.

Stefan.

She wasn’t sure whether he was helping her… or testing her. Maybe both. But either way, her jaw steeled and her spine straightened. I’ll show you, Stefan. I’ve got this, I always have.

With a soft exhale, she let a confident smile spread across her lips, smooth and radiant.

“Yes,” she said, voice laced with a sweet defiance. “Yesterday, my father announced that I was engaged. And like I said before, he was correct about that.”

The crowd leaned in. A few cameras zoomed closer. Samuel narrowed his eyes, sitting up straighter.

“But…” she added, letting the word sink into every corner of the room, “he made a small mistake.”

Samuel’s brows pinched. “What?”

She faced the camera again. This is for you, father. Watch closely.

“He was wrong about who I got engaged with.”

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