As soon as those words left his mouth, the vibe in the room took a sharp turn. It wasn''t the first time Nichs had dropped a bomb like this, and he definitely


    wasn''t joking.


    Scarlette let out a deep breath, setting her utensils down. "You need to leave. Don''te looking for me again. The Greenard family has been calling, and I don''t want to blow this out of proportion."


    Every time she saw Nichs, she''d beg him to stop causing trouble, but he never listened.


    Without warning, Nichs stood up and flipped the tablecloth, sending all the carefully arranged dishes crashing to the floor, leaving a chaotic mess behind.


    He nced at Morgan and let out a shortugh. "I''ve known her since we were kids. I don''t care why you two are together, but as long as I''m around, marriage is off the table. Dr. Morgan, you''re still young; you can find someone else."


    Morgan, calm and collected in his sses, held Scarlette''s hand firmly. His message was clear—he wasn''t going anywhere.


    Nichs watched them, hand in hand, and his breath came in heavy spurts. It took him a moment before he muttered, "I seriously don''t get what makes him better than me."


    "Nichs, you''re acting like a child, and I don''t have time for it. Morgan wouldn''t storm into someone''s ce and ruin dinner."


    Scarlette''s voice was steady, her eyes showing no emotion. "Keep this up, and I''ll focus my career overseas. I''ve been getting ready for it."


    She had the means to leave the Greenard family behind. There was no need to put herself through this.


    Nichs''s eyes narrowed, and after a pause, he quietly started picking up the broken tes and pulled out his phone to order takeout. He even found a broom and mop, trying to clean up.


    But having been the Greenard family heir his whole life, chores weren''t exactly in his skill set, and he only made the floor messier.


    Scarlette stood there, a pang in her chest. It wasn''t that she didn''t care about Nichs, but the weight of the entire Greenard family was like a mountain between them. Gratitude for their upbringing kept her from acting on impulse, unlike Nichs.


    Morgan stepped up, reaching for the mop. "Let me handle this."


    Nichs''s voice came out rough, missing its usual confidence, "Get out."


    He silently cleaned up, tossed the broken dishes in the trash, and carried the garbage bag to the door. Hand on the knob, he turned to look at her onest time.


    "Grandma''s not doing well. She''s been asking for you. So has Grandpa. If you can, pay them a visit."


    Scarlette stayed quiet, waiting until he left before pulling out a cigarette.


    Morgan nced at the now spotless floor and smirked. "Why don''t we just tie the knot? Maybe that''ll make him back off, or is it that you can''t let go of him?"


    Scarlette lowered hershes, taking a deep breath. "The Greenard family worries I might lead Nichs down the wrong path, mess with their reputation. I get it. But they''re notpletely heartless. My parents have been good to me. When others wanted to ship me off, they bought me a ce nearby and just tried to keep me and Nichs apart."


    She''d cared for Nichs for over two decades. When he fell as a kid, she''d me herself. How could she pretend she didn''t care at all?