"To me, it makes no real difference whether I marry into a powerful family or a poor one."
"I'm not short on money, and I'm not short on love. I don't need marriage to be the icing on the cake, nor do I need it to change my social standing."
"If I'm going to get married, it will be to someone I choose with all my heart. Not this 'perfect marriage' of ours that everyone praises, while I'm the only one who doesn't want it."
Jett Westgate didn't interrupt, letting her say her piece. When she finished, he even allowed a few moments of silence to pass.
He was seven years her senior, and those seven years of experience gave him a very different perspective on things than Annelise Valentine.
"Not short on money, and not short on love. So marriage isn't a necessity for you?" he began slowly, his gaze sharp as a blade. "An interesting theory."
He paused, then leaned forward, closing the distance between them.
"Annelise Valentine, you seem to have one thing wrong."
"In this world, not everything can be measured by what you have or don't have. And not every choice can be made according to your heart's desire."
"Especially when it involves two families and a promise made by the previous generation. In the eyes of some, your 'not lacking' and 'not wanting' are utterly worthless."
"You say you don't need marriage to improve your life. Too bad. Life isn't about getting whatever you want, nor is it about easily casting aside whatever you don't."
For a moment, his words struck a chord with Annelise.
She had to admit he was right. It was the truth, seen from a more mature perspective.
Silence stretched between them for a few seconds.
She looked up, her gaze once again fixed on Jett Westgate's face. A very important question suddenly surfaced in her mind:
"Then what about you?"
"Do you like me?"
Jett Westgate never expected her to ask such a question in the middle of this tense atmosphere.
A flicker crossed his eyes. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his tone hard to read.
"If I said I did, would you believe me?"
Annelise didn't even hesitate. She immediately shook her head. "No."
'The answer had burst straight from her heart. Men liked obedient, charming women—the type who would depend on them. Who would be crazy enough to like a girl who smashed up his bar, stormed his private club, and made a scene at his company? It defied all logic and her general understanding of the male species.'
Hearing her blunt "No," a short, sharp laugh escaped Jett Westgate's throat.
He leaned back slightly, putting some distance between himself and Annelise again.
"Alright, let me ask you a different way."
"Is the main reason you don't want to marry me because of Zane Patterson? You like him, don't you?"
The moment she heard Zane Patterson's name, Annelise became flustered. "This is between us! What does he have to do with it?"
"Annelise," he began slowly, "if you'd just admit it, I'd actually respect you more for it."
She was about to argue when her phone rang. The name Chloe Fairchild flashed on the screen. Not wanting to discuss the topic anyway, she quickly answered it.
"Chloe, what's wrong?"
"Annelise, Julian Quinn took some guys to find Zane Patterson! He said he's getting justice for his little brother. I went home to change this morning and I'm heading to Zane's place now. Sean Conrad is at the door trying to hold them off, but I don't think he'll last long. If you're not busy, you should get over here. Julian will at least give you some face."
Before she could finish, the sound of a piercing horn and screeching brakes came through the phone. "Shit, learn how to drive!" Chloe cursed. "Gotta go, Annelise, I'm driving!"
The call ended abruptly. She hadn't even realized she was already on her feet.
'She glanced at Jett Westgate. It felt wrong to just leave, but then again, this dinner had been a complete disaster. The mood was already ruined. Things between them were already so tense, he probably didn't care whether she stayed or left.'
Just as she was about to speak, Jett's voice cut in. "What? A phone call and you can't even be bothered to keep up the act?"
She was in no mood to argue. "I have to go. Enjoy your meal."
He didn't know what the call was about, but seeing the look on Annelise's face, he guessed it had to be about Zane Patterson. He tested his theory.
"Going to see him again?"
When Annelise said nothing, his suspicion was confirmed.
"We're getting engaged tomorrow, and you're running off to see another man today! What do you take me for?!"
His words thoroughly enraged her. Forgetting any thought of explaining, she lashed out. "So what if I'm seeing another man? So what if I don't want to marry you? What else are you good for besides making threats?"
Her words were like gasoline on a fire.
Jett Westgate's expression turned thunderous, his eyes churning with rage. He grabbed a glass from the table and hurled it violently at the marble floor.
SMASH—
Shards of glass flew everywhere, but his aim was precise—none of them landed near Annelise.
The restaurant, filled with the low hum of conversation, fell instantly silent. Every guest turned to look at them.
Annelise asked, "What was that? A little show for me?" Utterly unfazed, she swept her arm across the table, sending all the plates and glasses crashing to the floor.
Porcelain and marble met with a series of sharp CRACKS and SMASHES.
Jett's chest rose and fell, his voice low and dangerous. "Annelise Valentine, you're really something."
He ignored the wreckage on the floor, his eyes locked on her. "You had better be at the engagement party tomorrow. On time."
"Otherwise, I have no problem showing Zane Patterson, and the entire Valentine Family, exactly what happens to those who cross me."
Without waiting for Annelise's reaction, he turned and walked away.
'Annelise stood frozen. Maybe it was just the heat of the moment. I wasn't scared when we were fighting face-to-face, but now that he's gone, the terrifying aftershock is starting to hit me.'
Watching Jett Westgate's retreating back, she knew he was truly furious.
'But what right did he have to be angry? It's just an engagement; it's not like I'm his property. And he throws a fit just because I'm going to see a friend? Who does he think he is?'
Downstairs, Jett Westgate slammed the car door with a BANG. He loosened his tie, the fire in his chest still raging.
'So that's why she invited me to dinner—to try and buy me off. And what pissed him off the most was her and Zane Patterson. He'd tested it. The moment Zane's name came up, she either bristled or instinctively tried to dodge the subject, completely oblivious to her own reaction.'
A strange, irritable heat built up in his chest, making him feel suffocated.
"Fuck," he muttered, lighting a cigarette and taking a deep drag.
'What the hell is wrong with me?' Through the curling smoke, he scowled out the window, unable to make sense of his own feelings.
When Annelise arrived at Zane Patterson's house, Julian Quinn was lying on the floor, groaning.
Zane Patterson and Sean Conrad were both bruised, but Julian Quinn had it worse. His face was a swollen, discolored mess, and he was sprawled on the ground, unable to get up.
'Annelise's heart sank. The Quinn family only had two sons, and Zane had now beaten up both of them. This wasn't going to end well. After such a huge loss of face, the Quinns would never let Zane off the hook.'