The Miner's Daughter Takes Manhattan

Chapter 2

A threat that might have stung me in my past life barely made a ripple in my calm demeanor now.

Three days after returning from London to Northcrest, my father couldn't attend a partner's birthday banquet due to an unexpected meeting, so I went in his place.

Under the glittering chandeliers, surrounded by the clinking of glasses and the hum of quiet conversations, I handed over the carefully prepared gift before heading toward the buffet.

In the corner, Vincent Crawford was making herbal medicine for Rosalie Simmons.

His long fingers delicately held a porcelain spoon, stirring the concoction with an unusual patience.

Rosalie looked up at him, her eyes filled with adoration.

"Perfect temperature," he murmured, his deep voice laced with subtle tenderness.

The guests around us noticed my presence, their expressions shifting to one of quiet judgment.

Vincent caught sight of me from the corner of his eye but deliberately plucked a sun-kissed grape from a nearby dish and fed it to Rosalie, his gaze never leaving her.

She blushed as she took the grape, her fingers "accidentally" brushing against his wrist.

I took a sip of champagne, my lashes not even flickering.

Suddenly, Vincent pulled a velvet box from his inner pocket and snapped it open.

"My God! Isn't that the Crawford family's heirloom pink diamond?" someone gasped.

Rosalie stared at the ring, forcing a smile.

"It's beautiful... Is it for Evelyn's birthday?"

"Now it's yours," Vincent declared, taking her trembling hand and sliding the ring onto her finger in full view of the crowd.

He turned to me with a cold smirk.

"If Miss Hawthorne wants one, I'll have someone fetch a new one right away."

He beckoned a waiter over.

"Go to the jeweler and pick any ring—quickly. Don't keep the esteemed Miss Hawthorne waiting."

Amid the stifled laughter, I calmly sliced into my steak.

The knife glided through the perfectly marbled meat, and for a moment, I remembered that rainy night in my past life—when he'd claimed he wanted to see me.

I'd rushed to the bar, only to hear the cheers from the private room: "Vincent wins! She really came running the second he called!"

His voice had been casual over the phone: "I was joking. Did you actually believe me?"

The silver fork in my hand bent slightly under my grip.

I released it and smiled at the startled waiter.

"It's fine."

Vincent's expression darkened.

Without warning, he pulled Rosalie into his arms and kissed her in front of everyone, even offering her a sip of champagne.

After glancing in my direction a third time, I finally rose from the table and left.

In the hallway, he grabbed my wrist.

"Had enough of pretending?"

"Vincent," I pulled my hand free, "what makes you think I have no choice but to settle for you?"

He laughed, as though he'd just heard the most ridiculous joke.

"The Pierce family is on the verge of bankruptcy. The Pierce heir won't make it past thirty. And the Pierce family—" He scoffed. "Can they even be called one of the Great Houses? Evelyn, you have no options left."

As I turned to leave, Rosalie followed me.

With no audience around, she dropped the act.

"What's the point of a marriage certificate? He holds me every night!"

I traced the emerald on my ring finger and smiled.

"Then why are you so nervous?"

Her face twisted.

This ring had been my father's gift for my coming of age—back when she'd once tried it on, he'd simply said, "Some things will never belong to you."

In my past life, her sudden disappearance had remained an unsolved mystery.

This time, I was determined to see just how far this pair of lovebirds would take their act.