Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 263

Finally, Edwin spoke, his voice flat. "I can have the posts taken down and release a statement saying the photos were fake, that we have no relationship. I can also give you a large sum of money as compensation. Anything but marriage. How about it?"

In Edwin's mind, Carla was useless, an empty-headed beauty who was completely unsuitable for marriage. Besides, his parents would never approve.

"Edwin," Carla shot back, "you've already ruined my reputation. Do you really think we can pretend nothing happened?" But his offer told her one thing: her threat was working. He was afraid of her taking him down with her.

Edwin didn't answer. He hated the feeling of being so easily manipulated by a woman. The cigarette burned down to his fingers, the heat snapping him back to reality. He flicked the butt to the ground.

"I can't do it," he said, his voice still devoid of emotion. "I can't marry you. What would I be getting? A pretty vase who can't do anything? A fool?"

He added cruelly, "I'd rather marry your sister."

Carla flinched as if struck. The wine glass nearly slipped from her grasp. Edwin had just hit her where it hurt the most.

Since childhood, she had hated being compared to Seren. She especially hated being told she wasn't as good as her.

What did Seren have that she didn't? Seren was the family outcast, while she, through her own cleverness, had become the beloved princess. How was Seren better than her?

She gritted her teeth, her eyes burning with rage. The reason she refused to marry Garfield was that she refused to lose to Seren. Why should Seren marry into the Crestwell family while she was forced to marry some old, ugly man?

He had surrendered.

Carla shot to her feet, a wave of triumph washing over her. The wine glass slipped from her hand and shattered on the ground. She forced herself to remain calm. "Meet me at city hall tomorrow. If you're not there, I can't say what I might do. After all, I have nothing left to lose."

She had to secure her position as the young Mrs. Montgomery before the scandal died down. She didn't know what would happen after, but for now, she had no other choice but to go all in.

"Fine," Edwin agreed, and hung up.

The balcony was dark, his face completely hidden in the shadows. With a click, a lighter flared to life, illuminating his cold, hard eyes. He lit another cigarette, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips. Did she really think a marriage certificate could tie him down, that it would be so easy to become Mrs. Montgomery? Carla was still so naive.