Chapter 1899

Caleb’s disdain was obvious, but compared to the dire situation Vera’s family was facing, his scorn was nothing. Vera had already made up her mind-wherever Caleb went, she would follow.
After all, Caleb’s father had made it clear-if she could win Caleb over, she would have free access to the Smith family’s resources. More than that, Caleb’s father promised her unconditional support.
Caleb never expected this. No matter how harshly he spoke, this woman still insisted on staying by his side!
His expression darkened. “What kind of deal did you strike with my father? Let me give you some advice -you’d better come clean before I investigate.”
If Caleb wanted to dig into something, uncovering the truth would be effortless.
Rather than waiting for Caleb to investigate, Vera figured it was better to lay everything out herself.
“My family is facing some challenges,” she admitted. “And your father just happened to be looking for a suitable match for you. That’s when I stepped up. After all, our families have been connected for generations. Caleb, I don’t care what your preferences were before. Now that I’m here, I won’t let you choose another man.”
Vera’s stance was firm and unapologetic.
Caleb couldn’t help but laugh at her words. “Do you have rocks for brains? What era are we living in, and you’re still making these kinds of deals? You promised my father, but you still have to deliver before you get what you want. And yet, in a place like this, with so many people around, you couldn’t find someone else to back you up?”
His tone was full of ridicule.
Vera felt deeply humiliated.
She was, after all, the daughter of the Mason family. Although the Mason family couldn’t compare to the Smith family or the York family, before her family’s troubles, her father had treated her like a princess. She had never been subjected to such indignities.
And yet, here she was, being ridiculed by Caleb.
It was unbearable, but she had no choice but to endure.
“I’ve already made a deal with your father,” she said quietly. “And the price he’s paying me is significant. Caleb, you’re not so bad yourself. I’ve already considered the worst-case scenario.”
Her head lowered, she avoided Caleb’s gaze-not because she was afraid, but because meeting his eyes might crush her even more. No one had ever humiliated her like this before.
At the same time, Vera painfully realized one thing: in the face of harsh reality, sometimes you had to bow your head.
Caleb found her words laughable. “Then why don’t you tell me, what’s the worst-case scenario?”
“Isn’t it obvious? The worst-case scenario is that your preferences aren’t… normal.”
Before Vera could respond, a voice rang out from a distance, steadily approaching. “That’s right. The worst-case scenario is that Caleb isn’t into women.” Hunter strode toward them, his words laced with amusement.
Hunter had been observing Caleb and Vera from the shadows, waiting for the perfect opportunity to chime in. Naturally, he wouldn’t pass up such a prime chance to tease.
IMS
Vera said nothing, but in Caleb’s eyes, her silence was as good as confirmation. A surge of anger coursed through Caleb’s chest.
He never imagined Vera would even entertain such thoughts. This could only mean that the Mason family’s crisis was severe-severe enough for Vera to sacrifice her dignity to this extent!
Caleb’s expression grew increasingly grim.
Before he could say anything else, his eyes caught a figure approaching from a distance.
It was Luna, and she wasn’t alone.
The man walking beside her was
taller by a head. Luna was dressed in a sleek black gown, her hair styled in loose, cascading waves. The two of them looked like the perfect match.
Caleb recognized the man immediately.
The only one who could stand beside Luna now was the man she had always held dear in her heart-her
one true love, Simon Xander.
“Caleb,” Luna called out.