Impossible" came tumbling out of Caleb and Sophie''s mouths almost in perfect synic...


    mumed it would just be a simple vos—something Caleb would agree to without a second thought. But no one expected him to-


    more shocking though, was Sophie''s equally intense response


    the others turned to her, clearly puzzled.


    Sopar face mstantly from. Realinne shed overreacted, she quickly regained herposure and tried to force a smile. “It''s not that I just think the condition


    ster proposed might be a bit too harsh


    1. m. just in case?


    sat of Calch changes his mindter? Maybe...maybe Elira should leave herself some room.


    Benedict caned an eyebrow, sensing that something didn''t sit right with what she said.


    Matthew dado read much. Anthony exchanged a thoughtful look between Sophie and Caleb.


    Meanwhile, Dnpletely trusted Sophie and her innocent nature and didn''t think too much of it


    ow you''re worried about Elis, but honestly, I don''t think there''s anything wrong with what she said," Dn said, shrugging it off.


    He snored and gave Caleb a look full of disdain. If you think so little of our Stonor girls, then just end it already. Do it right here in front of Father


    od all these quests-swear that no matter how much Eliza might try to chase after you, we''ll never let it happen


    "Dn""


    Sophie called out urgently, rmed.


    But Cale, even more upset than she was, jumped in "No! I won''t swear that!"


    He shot Eliza a furious re, convinced she had noticed his feelings for Sophie and was deliberately throwing up this cruel condition to stop him from being with her.


    ar I letting this malicious woman win Caleb thought, feeling a renewed sense of determination.


    He turned to Gabel and spoke without hesitation. "Uncle, besides breaking off the engagement, there''s one more thing I need to ask you. Please, help me with this Gabriel, sensing the tension in the room from Sophie and Caleb''s reactions, narrowed his eyes. He tapped his fingers on the table, remaining silent as the others waited


    Adeline, Calebis mother, could immediately see that her brother was getting angry. She wanted to pull Caleb away but knew it was no use. Caleb was too absorbed in his thoughs of Sophie


    1


    He shrugged off Adeline hand and, taking a deep breath, continued, "Please, Uncle, the only woman I want to marry is Sophie. So please, help me beak off my engagement with Eliza and let me marry Sophie."


    The room fellpletely silent, and the Stonor boys'' faces all darkened.


    how dare you??" Dn shouted, furious.


    Benedict, still calen, stepped in "Caleb, you can''t just treat my sisters like this?


    Even Matthew and Anthony, usually the moreid-back brothers, now red at Caleb, their protective instincts kicking in.


    Eliza couldn''t help but


    Seeing this, Dn turned to her in disbelief. "You can still smile after all this Eliza, what''s wrong with you!


    what your fance is doing to you, right here in front of everyone! Don''t you even care? You''re just letting him get away with it"


    Elira shed a sweet smile,pletely undared. "I wouldn''t dream of controlling him, Brother. Didn''t you hear what he said? My fiancé has only one teoreman he wants to marry in this life-my dear linle sister.


    romantic? Don''t you think so, Sophie?"


    Her tone was sugary sweet, but there was an edge to it, almost as if she were savoring the moment.


    And as her words lingered in the air, everyone started to pick up on the underlying meaning


    441 PM


    At today''snguri, many of


    in attendance were no strangers to the hackstage politics anel ste jewer ys that yed out in the loves


    In the bathing heart of Haven City, the dramu between a younger sister and her brother inw waunt exactly a new


    If Sophie were truly an innocent girl, she would''ve known better than to act in familiar with her sister''s hauré


    But just moments ago, everyone had clearly seen how, even before Eliza had upped into the courtyard, Sophie and Caleb were already charting andughing as if they were old friends, without a hint of reservation.


    At first, the guests had assumed it was nothing more than the affectionate and of cousins, and they didn''t think much of in


    But now, with Caleb''s increasingly affectionate gesinnes and Sophie''s easy,fortable manner, the crowels ners began in linger on Sophie wit more than just casual interest - there was something deeper in their eyes,


    her in frustration.


    Sophie, sensing the subtle shift in the atmosphere, felt her temper re. Her teeth almost ground together in


    "Tamn it she cursed silently. "What''s gotten into this idiot She used to be as clueless as amb, always lemting me pull the strings,


    But now she''s making things so damguulifficult. Somenne must be behind this?


    She pressed her lips in a thin line, sneering. No matter what, she''s still a fool. As long as Dad and my brothers are on my side,


    chance of turning this around?


    Elica dormit Maml


    Meanwhile, Eliza, who had also felt the change in the air, couldn''t help baut reflect


    on her past mistakes. "I was such a fool in my past life


    In her previous life, when Caleb had publicly called off their engagement, she


    she had been crushed.


    She''d begged him to reconsider right there in front of everyone, only to be met with his cold, dismissive gaze,


    He had said, “I pride myself on my integrity, can''t stand underhanded games, Eliza Stonor, you''ve crossed a line. You''re no longer worthy of being my wife''


    After that, she became theughingstock of Hasen


    Lasen City, and her reputation was destroyed overnight.


    But now, Eliza had made a new choice. Once she let go of the things she could never have, she realized how much simpler life could be.


    “Eliza Stanor, enough!" Calelis voice was sharp and full of ice. His face darkened with anger. "This has nothing to do with Sute,


    Tm the


    e one calling of


    off the engagement. If you''ve got something to say, go ahead. But don''t think for


    a second that i change my mind


    His words dripped with disdain, each one clear and deliberate. "You Don''t Stand A. Chance


    The sound of the p echoed across the room, so loud and sharp it silenced everything else in an instant.


    Everyone froze, their eyes wide in shock, turning in Eliza on the stage. Even Benedict and his brothers couldn''t believe their eyes.


    After all, Everyone knew how deeply Eliza had been in love with Caleb. She has followed him around since she was a child, dreaming of growing up and marrying Calel


    And now, here she was, pping Cal right across the face,


    "Elizat Are you crazy? How dare you hit my son?" Adeline was the first to react,


    her voice shrill as she screamed, raising her has to strike Eliza in


    But before she couldnd a blow, Eliza''s grip on her wrist was like from.