<h4>Chapter 291: 291-That Is A Disaster</h4>


    <strong>Hnie:</strong>


    My mom seemed to be in a very good mood. She sat with her hand extended on the table, and Lord McQuoid was holding it. Charlotte looked partially gloomy, but her eyes were glued to me. As for Emma, she had a huge, fake smile stered on her confused face, making me wonder if she even knew what was going on.


    The brothers, as usual, didn’t show much enthusiasm. I had a feeling this had something to do with the business deal Lord McQuoid had been trying to make with the packs.


    "Now that everyone is here, I would like to make an announcement," Lord McQuoid cleared his throat, adjusting himself in his chair, but not once did he let go of my mother’s hand.


    Maximus held a spoon and fork in his hands, his te piled with food. His hands trembled as if he couldn’t wait to start eating, clearly uninterested in whatever his father had to say.


    Kaye looked upset, his head bowed but his eyes raised, fixed on his father. Emmet seemed physically present but mentally far away. Then there was Norman, his lips slightly pursed as he tapped his fingers against the ss of expensive wine meant for the asion.


    "It has been a long time since I introduced you all to my new mate. She is my charm, the light of my life. Without her, I can’t imagine living another day. Truly. She has such an impact on my life that I feel obligated to love her endlessly. Whenever I’m down, and there’s no one to hear the cries of my heart, shees like a warm ray of sunlight and lifts my spirits," Lord McQuoid said, his words full of emotion.


    They were powerful words, especially about a woman who was theplete opposite of how she was as a mother.


    She might not have been a good mother, but as a mate, she seemed to be a perfect choice, judging by the way Lord McQuoid praised her.


    "So, it’s time I hold this hand and slip a beautiful ring onto her finger," he announced.


    The moment he said it, I watched the brothers snap their gazes toward him. Maximus dropped his fork and spoon onto his te, ncing at his brothers to confirm that they were just as shocked and upset as he was. They were. None of them looked happy.


    Charlotte met my gaze, a smirk spreading across her face. She knew about my strained rtionship with my mother, so it must have been amusing for her to see me ignored by her now that she was officially bing the rogue king’s wife and mate.


    As for Emma, she opened her mouth in shock, covering it with her hand before pping enthusiastically. It felt fake to me. But that’s exactly who she and her mother were—always fake and phony.


    I didn’t show much reaction but lowered my head. I wasn’t too happy either. Somehow, this news felt devastating to me.


    I was mates with two of these brothers and attracted to the third, who was slowly proving that I could be loved and cherished too. But now, seeing them as my stepbrothers would make things incredibly hard—and a taboo for most.


    "I am announcing a grand engagement ceremony, just as she deserves, for next week. I hope you all will be as happy for me as I’ve been for your sesses," Lord McQuoid’s voice wavered slightly as he nced at his sons, wanting them to share in his joy.


    Of course, they weren’t happy. But as Lord McQuoid raised his ss to toast, Maximus abruptly got up to leave.


    However, Norman grabbed his arm and gestured for him to sit back down. The smile on my mother’s face had disappeared.


    Lord McQuoid’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. When Maximus reluctantly sat down, Emmet raised his ss steadily. Next was Norman, who followed suit. Then came Kaye and Maximus, but instead of toasting, Maximus started downing his wine like there was no tomorrow.


    Their father watched them with visible disappointment but quickly pretended it wasn’t a big deal.


    "Cheers to the couple!" Charlotte shouted, raising her ss with exaggerated enthusiasm, making my mother and Lord McQuoid smile at her.


    "Now, shall we start dinner?" Emma giggled excessively, but there was something unsettling in herughter. She was showing her lower teeth too much, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it meant.


    Once dinner ended, I went straight to my room. I wasn’t feeling well either.


    I sat on my bed, fingers grazing my pendant as I stared out the window. My revenge against Ryadan was progressing. So far, I had managed to weaken him. But I needed one decisive blow before facing him in battle.


    "I need to learn to fight," I said aloud, jumping up with renewed determination and nting my feet on the floor, fists clenched.


    "Okay, show me what I need to do," I muttered, setting up a video tutorial to teach me some moves. This wasn’t the first time I was doing this.


    I had been learning from videos and practicing in my room, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Icked discipline.


    "Haiyyaa!" I yelled, aiming a kick at the pillow, which went flying across the room and knocked over themp.


    "Oops!" I yelled, and as I hurried to fix themp, I heard a knock on the door.


    "Wait a minute," I called out, quickly setting themp upright again before going to answer the door.


    Standing there was Maximus, and he looked like a mess.


    "Maximus, what happened to you?" I asked, ncing around to ensure nobody was watching us interact.


    "Hnie, I don’t want to be your stepbrother," he said, his voice filled with urgency, his eyes looking at me with so much affection it made my heart skip a beat.


    "I know," I replied, feeling exhausted and helpless, unsure what could even be done at this point.


    "Tell me if you’re ready to hold my hand. I’ll crash this engagement ceremony," he said, his words catching me off guard.


    My jaw dropped at his bold demand.


    I swallowed hard, taking a step back from him as the weight of his words settled over me.