Ste''s face was a picture of heartbreak her eyes brimming with tears that spilled over the moment she blinked. She made a point of bringing up how she''d once saved Remington''s life, hoping to sway him with gratitude.
Remington, however, remained stone-faced throughout, his expression unreadable. Cassius, sitting nearby, couldn''t help but feel his own heart soften at the sight.
Seeing that Remington didn''t even reach for the cup of tea offered to him—a clear slight, meant to embarrass Ste-Cassius instinctively shifted in his seat. He reached out, intending to take the cup and set it on the table, wanting to ease the tension and give Ste a way out.
In his mind, Remington must have been moved, even if he didn''t show it. What man wouldn''t be, after all? A young woman risks her life for you and suffers so much— surely, no matter her mistakes, you couldn''t staypletely unmoved. Besides, the so-called "scandal" she''d gotten caught up in was just idle gossip. Even if Lizetta had heard about it, it was harmless, nothing that could truly hurt Ste.
"Ste, why don''t you-"
But Cassius had barely moved or raised his hand when Remington shot him a look sharp as a de. Cassius froze, words catching in his throat.
Ste saw all of this, her face growing paler as her eyes reddened with unshed tears, making her look even more fragile and pitiable.
Remington finally looked at her, his gaze still cold and unmoved, and said in a t voice, "Why are you so eager to cry?"
Ste blinked, surprised. She thought Remington was trying tofort her, so she almost smiled and lifted a hand to wipe her tears until he added, "Save your tears. You''ll have a real reason to cry soon enough."
Ste''s expression froze, her mouth twisting awkwardly, her features contorting into something almost grotesque.
Just then, Mrs. Miller led Margaret out to join the group.
1.n
Earlier, Margaret had gotten a call from Cedric, telling her to stay home and to call Ste over as well. Panic set in. She realized that her misdeeds must have finallye to light. After hanging up, she waspletely at a loss. When she phoned Ste, she didn''t dare admit
bee
that she''d found out afraid that Ste would refuse toe if she knew Remington was looking for trouble. Instead, she lied, saying she was sick and wanted Ste to visit her.
Ste agreed, and only then did Margaret breathe a little easier. She still didn''t tell her parents that she might havended herself in a mess, which is how Mr. and Mrs. Miller ended up mistakenly believing Cassius was here to propose.
Now, as Mrs. Miller brought Margaret into the room, Margaret immediately looked to Ste for help, her eyes pleading. But Ste just stared at the floor, refusing to even nce her way.
Left with no choice, Margaret stepped forward. "Mr. Dashiell, Cassius="
Cassius interrupted, scowling as he
raised a hand. "Please, stop calling me Cassius: It gives me the creeps ssius: Let me be perfectly clear, Margaret: I didn''t show up to that blind date There''s nothing between us, thave...... no intention of marrying into the Miller family. Whatever you do, don''t drag my name into it. The Millers aren''t some insignificant family; as their daughter, you ought to have more self-respect."
His words were cutting-just shy of calling Margaret desperate and implying she was throwing herself at him.
Margaret flushed bright red, and Mr. and Mrs. Miller''s faces darkened with anger.
“Cassius! This is the Miller house,” Mr. Miller boomed, mming his hand against the armrest. "Youe in here and talk like that—are you trying to humiliate us? Do you think the Miller family is beneath you?"
Margaret burst into tears, burying her face in her hands,pletely devastated.
Mrs. Miller rushed to embrace her,
ring at Cassius. "Mr. Sterling, you certainly know how to throw your weight around. You may be some high-and mighty Sterling, but og Margaret is hardly beneath you. My daughter is sensitive-what terrible crime has shemitted that you''de here just to shame her in front of everyone?"