Chapter 420
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Chapter 420:
“Because of your monumental stupidity, and the Collins family’s hostility, Douglas Tech stock is pennies away from being delisted,” his father stated, devoid of any paternal warmth. “We are bleeding out p>
Kieran kept his head down, spitting into the drain.
“I have arranged a meeting for you tomorrow afternoon,” his father continued coldly. “With Isabelle Sterling. The Sterling family has agreed to a merger, provided you marry her p>
Kieran froze. He slowly lifted his head and looked at his father’s reflection in the mirror.
“I don’t want to get married,” Kieran rasped, his voice broken. “I can’t do this anymore. I won’t be traded like a piece of meat p>
His father let out a harsh, cruel laugh.
“You think you have a choice?” his father mocked. “You lost your right to choose the day you let Jocelyn walk away. Your only remaining value to this family is your last name. If you embarrass me tomorrow, I will strip you of your trust fund and throw you into the street p>
The patriarch turned and walked away. The heavy bedroom door slammed shut, sealing Kieran’s fate.
Kieran slid slowly down the cold bathroom wall and pulled his knees to his chest.
He finally understood his punishment. He would spend the rest of his life chained to a loveless, arranged marriage — forced to smile for the cameras while his heart rotted away with the memory of the woman he had thrown aside.
The master suite of the Long Island estate was bathed in the soft, warm glow of amber wall sconces. The air was thick with the intoxicating scent of crushed rose petals and expensive massage oil.
𝖲𝗵𝘢𝗿𝘦 у𝗼𝘶𝘳 𝘵h𝘰𝗎𝘨ht𝘀 o𝘯
Jocelyn sat on the edge of the massive four-poster canopy bed.
Gaston stood directly behind her, his large, warm hands moving with surprising gentleness as he unlaced the complex silk corset of her heavy couture wedding gown. The fabric finally gave way, sliding off her shoulders and pooling onto the plush carpet.
Jocelyn turned around. She wrapped her bare arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against the hard, warm muscles of his abdomen, closing her eyes and letting his steady heartbeat ground her.
Gaston stroked her long, unbound hair in silence for a long moment.
“Jocelyn,” he said. His voice was unusually low, carrying a heavy, serious weight. “There is something I need to confess to you p>
Jocelyn lifted her head, her brow furrowing.
Gaston took a deep breath. He looked directly into her eyes and told her everything — how he had discovered Old Chen’s betrayal a week ago, how he had fed Aspen false GPS data and allowed her to press the detonator while his private tactical team surrounded her hired gun.
Jocelyn’s heart lurched. She pushed herself upright, eyes wide with shock.
“Wait,” Jocelyn breathed, her hands gripping his forearms. “When we were in the car — when you covered my ears — someone actually pressed the button p>
Gaston nodded slowly. A flash of dark guilt crossed his eyes.
Message from Noa: Nice and beautiful morning for you dear readers, have a great time. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. /