“In that case, I would willingly give my life for you,” Marcus dered with unwavering determination.


    He gently tilted Millie’s head, ensuring her gaze remained locked on his as he made his heartfelt vow.


    The words were poetic and heartfelt, rendering Millie momentarily speechless. She responded by


    entwining her fingers with his.


    As the crowd marveled at the spectacle of fireworks, an inconspicuous ck car sat parked by the


    riverbank. Inside, a conversation unfolded.


    “It’s strange how Marcus emerged unscathed after the poisoning incident. I saw him at the hospital that


    day.”


    “If he has truly been poisoned, then there is something more sinister at y.”


    The man seated in the back spoke coldly. “Even if Marcus survives this ordeal, it’s evident that Millie is


    his Achilles’ heel.”


    The man’s gaze narrowed as he fixated on the fireworks outside the window. They were as captivating


    as Millie.


    “Unless I permit it, do noty a hand on her.”


    Rhea made an effort to sway Celeste as she resisted the idea of marrying Darin.


    “I’m still young, and I don’t want to rush into marriage. I want to spend more time getting to know Darin


    better,” Rhea pleaded.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    In truth, Rhea had kept her distance from Darin in private. Despite his affection for her, she hadrgely


    ignored him.


    “Rhea, Darin is the sole heir of the Barker family, with a thriving fashion business.


    I’ve heard that he’s genuinely smitten with you. Given your backgrounds, you two are a perfect match,”


    Celeste insisted.


    Wary of Marcus’ warning, Celeste sought to quash Rhea’s fascination with Marcus swiftly.


    “There seems to be a misunderstanding. I view Marcus as a brother, and I know that Shera had


    feelings for him while she was alive. I understand that you also had a connection with her. If the


    ident hadn’t urred, Marcus would have been my brother-inw. Nevertheless, let me rify that I


    have neither romantic inclinations towards Marcus nor any intention toe between him and Shera,”


    Rhea asserted.


    Rhea recognized the importance of assuring Celeste, given her concerns about Rhea’s feelings for


    Marcus. So, Rhea strategically pretended toply while quietly asserting her own wishes, aiming to


    take control of her future path.


    Celeste’s expression darkened as Rhea mentioned the past. She had once believed Shera, a graduate


    of a prestigious university, to be a worthy match for her son.


    Celeste had wanted Shera to be part of their family, but fate intervened in the form of the ident


    before their ns could materialize.


    “If you’re opposed to marrying Darin, I won’t force you. It’s gettingte, so you should head back


    home,” Celeste stated.


    Frustrated by Celeste’s reluctance to consider her feelings, Rhea’s thoughts remained focused on


    Marcus. The prospect of marriage was unappealing to her, as she had her sights set on Marcus.


    In that moment, she felt as if she were standing on a precipice. Should she reject marriage, her father


    would resign and return home, exacerbating the Evans family’s already precarious situation. Without


    her family’s support, her standing in Preagend’s hierarchical society would plummet.