The Miner's Daughter Takes Manhattan

Chapter 4

Sebastian Pierce's pupils constricted, his gaze sharpening with an intensity that seemed to burn right through the room.

Suddenly, the crystal chandelier above us shattered, its shards scattering like diamonds in all directions.

"This can't be!" Vincent Crawford slammed his hands on the table, his knuckles white with fury as he sprang to his feet.

A cold, unyielding gaze fell on him from Evelyn's father.

"Do you have an objection, Mr. Crawford?"

The air seemed to freeze.

Vincent's throat tightened, his voice faltering.

"How could Evelyn possibly—"

Her father interrupted, his tone sharp and measured.

"Why should she choose you?" He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest.

"Did you really think the Hawthornes were unaware of your dirty little secrets?"

Vincent's face drained of color, his lips moving but no sound coming out as he muttered the same words over and over, unable to process what was happening.

At a single glance from her father, the bodyguards moved swiftly, seizing Vincent and dragging him out of the room.

When the guests finally began to trickle out, her father led Evelyn onto the terrace.

"Sweetheart, it's not too late to change your mind."

He traced a finger over the engagement ring on her finger, his expression softened for just a moment.

"That Pierce boy—"

"I choose him," she replied, her voice firm, unwavering.

Her father sighed deeply, the weight of family expectations heavy in his chest.

"If not for the family decree..."

Evelyn stood on her tiptoes, adjusting his tie with a soft smile.

"I'll be happy."

The lights in the ballroom flared to life, bathing everything in a golden glow.

The notary unrolled the ornate, gilded document, and a murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Effective immediately, Sebastian Pierce will take control of Hawthorne Group's core enterprises."

The crowd shifted, a ripple of whispers spreading as eyes darted around, searching for Vincent.

Evelyn descended the grand crystal staircase with effortless grace, the hem of her diamond-studded gown trailing behind her like a stream of stardust, reflecting light at every step.

Sebastian stood in the center, bathed in the spotlight, his tailored suit hugging his V-shaped frame with precision.

He lifted his eyes to meet hers, his gaze intense, as though pouring galaxies into the space between them.

Memories from her past life crashed into her like a tidal wave.

After that orchestrated car accident, her spirit had hovered over Sebastian, watching him claw through the wreckage with his bare hands.

Blood and rain mixed together as he reached for her broken body, trembling as he wrapped his coat around her, trying to shield her from the cold.

Later, he had drugged Vincent's drink, turned the wheel sharply, and sent them both plunging into the ocean's depths.

In his final moments, the dried lily of the valley pinned to his chest seemed to pierce her soul.

"If only I'd known..."

His unfinished words were swallowed by the crashing waves.

Now, he extended his hand to her, his palm warm, offering a touch that held both promise and pain.