Nina’s shoulder was aching from how hard Jordan was gripping it, but she didn’t try to pull away.
“Nina Blackwell, whatever you owed the Blackwell family was paid off a long time ago.
With that incredibly rare life-saving medicine.
With those three years of marriage where you got no title, no respect, nothing!”
Jordan was practically yelling, but by the time he reached the last few words, his voice dropped all at once, rough with heartache.
“That Blackwell family is basically cursed for our Calloway family.
They cost Walden four years of work, drained so many years of yours, and now they still want to trick you back with some damn memorial ceremony?
Listen to me—I’m telling you, don’t go.
That place is a pit of fire.
Once you fall in, you won’t be climbing back out.”
“I know.”
“You know, and you still—”
“But now…
I’ve got people backing me up.”
Nina suddenly lifted her head.
The corner of her lips curved into a sly little smile.
She reached out and gently held Jordan’s rough, broad hands, giving them a soft shake like a little girl showing off candy she’d just won.
Jordan froze.
All the anger clogging up his chest got stalled right in his throat by that bit of soft, shameless coaxing.
He couldn’t spit it out, couldn’t swallow it down either.
“Back then, I was just Nina Blackwell from the orphanage.
No parents, no family, no background.
Anybody could step on me.
Anybody could slap me around.” Her voice softened, but the light slowly returned to her eyes.
“When Tiffany broke three of my ribs, I could only grit my teeth and swallow it.
When that Masland hit me with a ruler, I could only endure it, because I didn’t want to cause trouble for Ethan…
for Ethan Blackwell.
Back then I had nothing.
Other than putting up with it, what choice did I even have?”
Inside were not only the Ashford family’s cash flow records Roland had sent over, but also the title deed to Fragrance Garden and the transfer list for all kinds of property and business assets Jordan had only handed to her last night.
“But things are different now.”
Her fingertip tapped those eye-popping figures, then lightly touched the words “Gifted by Jordan Calloway” on the deed.
A smile spread into her eyes.
“I’m Nina Calloway now, the little princess of F Country.
Behind me is the Crown Prince, Jordan Calloway.
Behind me is the whole F Country royal family.
I’ve got a squad of bodyguards who answer only to me, money I could never finish spending, and a brother who spoils me shamelessly.
Soon I’ll have Dad, Mom, and my other two brothers too.
If Ethan Blackwell dares lay a finger on me, he’d better first think real hard about whether he can survive a diplomatic storm…
and whether he can handle your firepower.”
Jordan looked at her, so bright and full of spirit, and most of the anger drained out of him despite himself.
He gave a muffled snort, still putting on an annoyed face.
“Easy for you to say.
What if that brat loses his mind and locks you up in Platinum Palace by force?
That’s his territory.
Tight security everywhere…”
“But I’ve still got you covering me, don’t I?” Nina leaned closer and rubbed lightly against his arm like a well-fed cat, then tipped her face up at him, eyes sparkling with mischief.
“If I lose even one hair, you can just blow Platinum Palace flat, okay?
Weren’t you the one who threatened him like that on the phone last time?”
Jordan was half amused, half exasperated.
Just like that, the last line of defense in his heart completely caved in.
He reached out and rubbed her hair hard, messing it up into a complete bird’s nest, then let out a long sigh.
“Seriously, you always know how to get your way with me.”
“Maybe.” Nina let the teasing fade from her expression, her gaze turning steady and sharp.
“But there’s one thing I’m done letting slide.
What I owed the late Mr.
Blackwell really was paid off—with that life-saving medicine, and with three years of my youth.
“Three years of silent devotion in a marriage with no name and no place.
Ethan joining hands with the Ashford family to swallow up the Harlow family’s assets.
Tiffany breaking three of my ribs.
Masland targeting me every few days…” Her voice was calm, but every word hit like a hammer.
“Those debts need settling.
I’m going to that memorial ceremony not to die, and definitely not to rekindle old feelings.
I’m going there to collect.”
She stopped for a beat, then said each word clearly, one by one:
“What the Blackwell family owes me, I’ll make them pay back with interest.”
Jordan stared at her in silence, stared at the sister he had finally found again.
She was no longer that trembling little girl who had to hide behind him and wait for protection.
A sharper light had appeared in her, all edge and shine.
She had her own plans now, her own rhythm, and the confidence and pride a princess was supposed to have.
All of a sudden, Jordan felt his eyes sting.
“…You little brat.
You really did grow up.” He muttered under his breath, his voice thick and rough with a heavy nasal note.
In the end, he gave in, but not without laying down terms.
She had to bring enough bodyguards.
She had to stay in touch with him at all times.
The second she noticed even the slightest hint of danger, she was to pull out immediately—no acting tough, no trying to play hero.
Nina smiled and agreed to every single one.
Then, all playful, she raised three fingers and swore like she was making some super serious promise.
Jordan still couldn’t relax.
Fussing over her like an overanxious parent, he had the security system at Fragrance Garden upgraded to the highest level, then stuffed two miniature pistols and a bladed hairpin into Nina’s hands.
After that, he turned to the bodyguards and gave a cold, ironclad order: “If the young lady loses even a single hair, every one of you will answer to me personally!”