Chapter 5

I ate my fill outside. When I finally returned, my parents were sitting stiffly on the living room sofa, waiting for me.

"Come over here. We need to talk."

I already had a pretty good guess about what they wanted.

Ever since I came back, the words they spoke to me could be counted on one hand. The few conversations we did have were always about arranging a blind date for a corporate marriage.

In elite circles, wealth stays within the circle, and marriages of convenience between powerful families are the norm.

The thing was, they would never bear to sacrifice Chloe for something like that. Besides, Noah and Chloe had spent years growing up together, and romantic sparks were clearly flying between them. My parents supported their relationship and refused to disrupt it, so the corporate marriage plans had been put on hold.

Until my return solved the dilemma.

The unloved second daughter was the ultimate disposable pawn.

"Seven, the youngest son of the Sterling family just returned from abroad," Dad said, clearing his throat. "You two are about the same age. You should meet up with him, have lunch, and get to know each other."

Mom quickly chimed in, "After everything that happened to you, your father and I have been worried sick. We figured if you had a powerful man by your side to protect you, our hearts could finally be at ease."

In the past, I vehemently refused every arrangement like this. Those trust-fund heirs grew up drowning in debauchery, hiding countless filthy secrets behind their polished smiles.

Knowing that my parents didn't give a damn about my safety or happiness used to break my heart for days on end.

Now, none of it mattered. If going on one date would shut them up, so be it.

I nodded calmly. "Sure. When is it?"

They clearly hadn't expected me to agree so effortlessly. The long, persuasive speeches they had prepared caught in their throats, leaving them both staring at me in eerie silence. Dad was the first to snap out of it.

"Tomorrow at noon. At a high-end restaurant owned by Sterling Enterprises. The Sterlings... well, if he likes you, that's great. If he doesn't, that's completely normal. They aren't just any regular wealthy family."

I nodded again.

Silence fell over the room once more.

"Is that all?"

"Y-Yeah. That's all."

I turned on my heel and walked upstairs without a single backward glance.

Mom and Dad exchanged glances, deep, conflicted emotions swirling in their eyes.

"She's been acting strange lately. Do you think she's plotting something?"

"I'll have the butler keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't cause any trouble."

"Sigh... If only she were half as sensible and sweet as Chloe."

"How could she ever compare to the daughter we raised with our own hands?..."

I let out a faint, dry scoff.

Right. Chloe was the only one who qualified as "their daughter."