Chapter 39
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As the sun set, casting long shadows over the Vaughn family estate, the house lit up like a beacon.
The servants were everywhere, like clockwork, bustling around and making sure every corner was spotless.
Fresh flowers were arranged all around the house, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.
The smell of seafood, rich and mouthwatering, drifted from the dining room.
None of this was new to Juliette.
What was different, however, was how the staff seemed to be waiting for her–lined up in neat rows at the door, bowing in unison like she was some kind of royalty.
“Welcome home, Miss Vaughn,” they said, their voices respectful, almost formal.
Juliette raised an eyebrow.
She had left this house the night before after threatening Evan’s life with a knife, and Polly had even hurt herself with a fruit knife in the process. Yet here they were, acting like nothing had Happened, welcoming her back like she was the guest of
honor.
Mason stepped into the foyer, his warm smile plastered on his face. “Juliette, you’re back! Come in!”
He reached out to grab her hand, but Juliette quickly pulled away, stepping back just enough to avoid his touch.
Unfazed, Mason continued to play the role of the doting father.
“Juliette, ever since this morning, Dad had the housekeeper buy the freshest seafood. We’ve got a big seafood feast planned for tonight, just waiting for you to come home.” Bianca came out with a bright smile, speaking cheerfully.
She even tried to loop her arm through Juliette’s, but Juliette subtly stepped away.
“Don’t touch me while you’re talking,” Juliette said, her tone sharp.
Bianca’s smile faltered, but she didn’t let it show for long. She looked at Mason for support, her eyes wide with faux hurt.
Mason’s brow furrowed, but he quickly softened his expression. Let’s just go inside and eat, Juliette. It’s all your favorite food, just the way you like it.”
“Yeah, Juliette, hurry up,” Bianca chimed in. “Dad worked all day on this.”
Bianca didn’t get upset.
Earlier that morning, Mason had called a family meeting in the study.
Given how Juliette had hurt Polly and Evan the night before, they couldn’t let her keep acting so recklessly.
They were worried that if she kept this up, she might cancel the engagement with the Montgomery family, and that would be a huge blow to the Vaughn family.
The whole situation with the marriage had already reached a critical point–like an arrow drawn tight, just waiting to be released.
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They didn’t care about her feelings. They just needed her to go through with the wedding to Finn and secure their future. It was all about business.
Juliette walked into the house, ignoring the bright lights and the attempts to make her feel welcome.
Evan and Isla were already waiting.
Both greeted her warmly, their smiles gentle and welcoming as if she hadn’t been gone just a day but had returned after
years away.
She was hungry–there was no denying that.
But as soon as her eyes landed on the spread in front of her, she couldn’t hide her displeasure.
The table was set with a grand seafood boil, and the air was thick with the rich, savory aroma of simmering seafood. Five large pots were bubbling away, filling the room with the fragrance of shrimp, lobster, crab, and mussels,
The only people missing from the table were Polly and Barbara, but the spread was still impressive, with platters piled high with various shellfish.
Servants stood along the edges of the room, waiting patiently, ready to serve at any moment.
But despite her hunger, Juliette’s face turned pale at the sight. The sight of the boiling seafood was enough to make her stomach churn.
“Juliette, come on in! It’s all your favorite seafood boil,” Mason called out cheerfully from the side, his voice warm and inviting, as he urged her toward the table.
“I’m not hungry. I’m going upstairs,” Juliette said, her voice cold.
She couldn’t let anyone from the Vaughn family know her secret–especially not them. If they found out she couldn’t handle hot food, they’d have one more thing to use against her.
Mason’s face fell slightly, but he quickly recovered and followed her. “But you’ve been out all day. Come on, it’s not like we’ve had dinner together in a while. This is a chance for us to be a family.”
Juliette stopped in her tracks, turning to face him. Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, she couldn’t hide the anger flashing in them.
Mason saw it, and for a split second, he seemed taken aback.
Then he remembered the conversation from the night before and sighed deeply. “Are you still upset about last night? I really want to be a good father to you. Please, Juliette, don’t shut me out. Give me a chance to make things right.”
The sound of the seafood boiling away in the background was diving her mad. She couldn’t take it anymore.
“I’m not hungry,” Juliette repeated, her voice sharp. “You want to be a good father? You have three other kids to feed. Let them be your project tonight.”
She started to walk away, but Mason grabbed her wrist, his grip firm.
“Enough, Juliette!” His voice dropped, taking on a more authoritative tone. The kind only a father could have.
He added, “Last night, your mother was hurt because of you. Evan doesn’t care that you pushed him down. I’ve already apologized to you. This needs to stop.”
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Chapter 39
Mason’s gaze shifted, no longer soft or affectionate.
Juliette stared at him, her mind spinning. ‘So now I am to blame for Polly’s injury and Evan’s fall‘
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“Finn’s family is powerful. Finn isn’t just marrying you for love, Juliette. He’s marrying the future first lady of their company. Don’t be so petty. This isn’t how someone who’s about to marry into such a family should behave,” Mason continued, trying to drive the point home.
The implication was clear: If she didn’t act right, the Montgomery family might back out of the marriage. And that would mean disaster for the Vaughn family.
“Just eat with us tonight. Once your mother’s better, we’ll meet with Finn’s family and finalize the wedding details,” he said, his voice soft again, like he was trying to charm her into compliance.
Juliette understood now. The sudden kindness from her family wasn’t out of the blue–it had an agenda behind it.
They weren’t just being nice to her; they were trying to get her to cooperate, to sit down with the Montgomery family, and finalize the wedding plans.
They were worried she might mess things up or, worse, make Finn back out.
The idea of being a supportive father–that was just a cover.
Juliette let out a dry laugh, and her gaze turned cold as she met his eyes. “Don’t worry, Mr. Vaughn. I won’t let this marriage fall apart. You’ve made it very clear that it’s important to you. As long as you want it, I’ll make sure it goes through. After all, I love Finn so much. Why would I back out?”
She saw the game for what it was. The Vaughn family wanted Montgomery resources, and the Montgomery family wanted to take over the Vaughn family.
She was just the pawn in their game. But until the wedding was done, they wouldn’t abandon her. Not yet.
Mason’s expression tightened, but he sighed. “Fine. If you’re tired, go rest. I’ll have dinner sent to you. But remember, Juliette, you need to grow up. Stop acting like a spoiled child.”
He finally let go of her wrist, and Juliette made her way upstairs without a word.
Up in her room, she took a cold shower, letting the water calm her nerves.
When she emerged, the servants had brought her food–crab, and shrimp, all peeled and ready to eat.
She waited until it was cold before starting to eat, taking her time, and savoring the silence.
Meanwhile, at the Clarke family home, Patrick and Louis sat together in the living room at nine o’clock, stealing occasional glances at one another.
Patrick had just come back from the film set, and Louis had been waiting for him.
Louis broke the silence. “Mom didn’t help her fiancé. She helped me. In her eyes, I’m more important than her fiancé.”
Patrick’s lips curled up at the corners. He liked hearing that.
They sat there in silence again, until Louis suddenly got up and walked over to Patrick, reaching for his forehead. “Dad,
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Chapter 39
you’re better. How did you get better so fast?”
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Patrick raised an eyebrow, a little surprised at how disappointed Louis looked. “I’m fine now. Why, you wanted me to stay sick?
Louis frowned, serious as always. “Mom isn’t coming over tonight. So… Maybe you should get sick again, so she has a reason to come over. What do you think?”
