The Miner's Daughter Takes Manhattan

Chapter 6

The engagement preparations were in full swing.

Excitedly, I grabbed Sebastian Pierce's sleeve, eager to drag him to try on the newly arrived engagement gowns, but instead, he pulled me into the car.

The windows rolled up, and his long fingers brushed my cheek.

"Evelyn, I need to ask you something."

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

"Why—"

"Why me?" I tilted my head, watching him.

He nodded, his usual bright eyes now clouded.

"If you're only agreeing to marry me to spite Vincent..."

His voice dropped lower. "I'm not worth that."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Who told you that?"

From his suit pocket, he pulled out a photograph, his fingers trembling slightly as he handed it to me.

"I was at the birthday gala, too."

"I arrived late—only saw you talking to him. The look on your face when you left..."

He paused. "I never thought it would be me."

"The Pierces can't compare to the other Great Houses. I—"

I zoomed in on the photo and suddenly understood.

That day, I had seen the lily of the valley decorations and the memory of Sebastian lying in a pool of blood from my past life rushed back.

That's why I had been so upset.

A playful smile tugged at my lips as I cupped his face and kissed him, catching him off guard.

"Stop overthinking," I murmured, pinching his earlobe.

"I chose you. That's all that matters."

"Sebastian Pierce, promise me—don't bring up irrelevant people again in this lifetime."

The darkness in his eyes vanished, and just like that, he pulled out a diamond necklace in the shape of a lily of the valley.

"As you wish, my lady."

He kissed my ring finger as he took my hand.

In this past month, I finally understood what real love felt like.

In my past life, I had been so obsessed with Vincent Crawford, craving every little moment he gave me.

But with Sebastian, I felt truly cherished.

His gaze never wavered from me—not even a glance for anyone else.

The moment I frowned, he noticed.

Last night, we stayed on the phone until dawn, which almost made me late for a board meeting this morning.

As I nibbled on brunch, the butler hurried in.

"Miss Rosalie Simmons is at the gate, demanding to see Mr. Pierce."

I smirked and walked outside, where Rosalie was arguing with the security.

"Do you know who I am? Mr. Hawthorne treats me like his own daughter!"

Leaning against the doorframe, I drawled, "Funny, I don't recall my father having another daughter. There's a difference between a scholarship student and an heiress."

At the words "scholarship student," Rosalie's face drained of color, but she forced a smile.

"Evelyn, I just want to talk to Uncle Hawthorne. Can I come back to Hawthorne Group?"

"Didn't you resign to become Vincent's assistant?" I feigned surprise.

She bit her lip, silent.

I raised an eyebrow inwardly. Had their "eternal love" from my past life already crumbled?

"Hawthorne Group isn't a marketplace."

I turned to leave when the sound of car horns interrupted.

A fleet of Bentleys rolled up, each one laden with red-ribboned chests.

The Pierce family steward stepped out and bowed.

"Miss Hawthorne, the young master sent me to deliver the dowry."

"Where is he?"

"Personally inspecting the banquet hall."

A smile curved on my lips without meaning to.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rosalie's fists clenched in frustration.

Just as I was about to head back inside, another engine roared to life.

A stretch limousine pulled up, and out stepped Vincent Crawford, holding an enormous bouquet of roses.