Editor: Henyee Translations Miles despised hypocrites more than anything.
If it weren’t for his brother’s future, he wouldn’t have wasted a second dealing with someone like Grace.
Still, reaching his goal required patience.
So, Miles forced himself to ignore the sickening sweetness dripping from her texts.
Even through a phone screen, it was enough to make his skin crawl.
So, he played along.
“Is marrying my brother really such a blessing for her?” Miles asked.
“She grew up in a small town, never finished college, and has no experience with the kind of social circles our family moves in.
Do you honestly think she can adapt?
When it’s time to attend charity galas or business events, will she even know how to carry a conversation?” Grace fell silent, staring at the texts.
Miles degrading Evelyn was certainly satisfying.
Her fingers itched to add something even more humiliating about that hick.
But she needed to think before writing anything.
Hence, she waited for Miles to finish.
“And despite his disability, my brother is still Matthias Lowell.
He’s intelligent, highly accomplished, and one of the sharpest minds in the business world.
The two of them are fundamentally unequal.
Your sister won’t be happy with him.” Grace couldn’t care less whether Evelyn ended up happy or miserable.
All she cared about was ruining this marriage.
She was dying to meet Miles and discuss ways to sabotage this marriage.
But she couldn’t appear too eager.
When she didn’t reply immediately, Miles assumed she was keeping up her act and decided to push a little harder.
So he dangled another lure.
“She already lies about graduating from a prestigious university.
Being looked down on is one thing, but if people discover the Ashford Family used deception to secure a marriage with the Lowells, the entire city of Norbright will laugh at your family.” To his credit, Miles had identified Grace’s weakness perfectly.
Knowing she loved appearing virtuous, he handed her the perfect excuse.
Sure enough, a reply arrived in a few seconds.
“You are right.
My sister is timid.
She might get bullied in future due to her background.
And because of her lies, people might assume the Ashfords were willing to do anything to climb the social ladder.
If she really marries into your family, she will only damage the reputation of both our families.” Miles read the lengthy message with open contempt.
What an idiot!
Who in the city would dare look down on the Lowells?
Just moments ago, she’d been talking about what a blessing the marriage was.
Now she had completely reversed her position.
Still, her response told him everything he needed to know.
She was willing to cooperate.
A minute later, another message popped up.
“I know this is not the right thing to do, but for my sister’s sake, and for my family’s sake, I am willing to work with you.” Miles nearly laughed.
Now she’s acting like she’s making some noble sacrifice.
If stopping the marriage wasn’t a priority, he would have ripped that mask off her face.
He let out a scoff and typed back, “You’re so kind.” The instant Grace read the message, heat rushed to her cheeks.
Was Miles complimenting her?
She had received praise all her life, but praise from someone like Miles Lowell felt different.
Besides, everyone knew Miles had a reputation for being arrogant, blunt, and impossible to impress.
Could he actually be interested in her?
Grace stared at the screen, her imagination running wild.
Now that Matthias is disabled, Miles undoubtedly becomes the most promising heir to the Lowell Group.
The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that his attitude toward her wasn’t ordinary.
If I can’t have Matthias, she thought, Miles would be an excellent alternative.
The idea secretly delighted her.
She quickly replied.
“Miles, you are giving me too much credit.
I’m only concerned about my sister.
I wouldn’t call it kindness.
After all, she’s family.
If I don’t look out for her, who will?” Miles stared at the text.
Then he tossed his phone aside.
Unbelievable.
He didn’t bother responding.
Still, Grace hadn’t forgotten her real objective.
“When and where should we meet?” she asked.
Miles hadn’t actually decided yet, but replied anyway.
“I will let you know.” “Okay.” Grace even added a cute emoji.
Miles ignored it completely, headed toward his brother’s study.
He knocked at the door.
Not getting any response from inside, he knocked again.
“Come in.” Matthias’s calm voice drifted from within as Miles gently pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The words had barely left his mouth when the door swung open.
“Matthias, that woman claimed she graduated from Northgate University, right?
I’m telling you, don’t believe her for a second.
She’s just a—” “Get out.” The icy command cut him off before he could finish.
Matthias knew where the conversation was headed.
Caught off guard, Miles blinked.
“Matthias, you—” Matthias finally looked up.
His brows were slightly furrowed, and a chilling warning gleamed in his dark eyes.
Miles froze.
Ever since childhood, it had been the one expression that could silence him instantly.
Grinding his teeth, Miles swallowed the rest of his argument and left the room.
His frustration only grew as the door closed behind him.
Inside the study, Matthias watched the doorway for several seconds, his gaze distant and unreadable.
After being thrown out, Miles replayed the exchange in his head and found himself thinking about Grace again.
Evelyn and Grace were sisters.
If Grace was this awful, Evelyn couldn’t be much better.” A bitter laugh escaped him.
“Unbelievable.
One’s a manipulating schemer, the other’s a compulsive liar.
Even if my brother is disabled, they’re still nowhere near good enough for him.
I have to stop this marriage, no matter what.” With that determination, Miles immediately chose a time and place and sent Grace a message asking her to meet him the following day.
The next afternoon, Miles sped through the city in a bright red sports car.
One hand rested on the steering wheel while his eyes remained fixed on the traffic ahead.
As he rounded a corner, his phone rang inside his jacket pocket.
He glanced at the screen before answering, “Mom.
What’s up?” “What’s up?” Mrs.
Lowell snapped.
“I should be asking you that.
Why weren’t you at the office today?” Miles had no intention of telling her that he was meeting Grace to sabotage the marriage alliance, so he answered vaguely.
“I took the day off.
I have something important to do.” Mrs.
Lowell sounded thoroughly unimpressed.
“What could possibly be more important than your usual nonsense?
Get back to the office immediately.” Miles rolled his eyes.
“Here we go again.” In her eyes, he would always be an irresponsible child wasting his life.
Miles had intended to keep his plans secret, but her attitude ignited his temper.
“I’m dealing with my brother’s future!” he snapped.
“Just because you don’t care about him doesn’t mean I don’t.” Mrs.
Lowell fell silent.
Miles continued, his voice rose.
“A woman like Evelyn is not worthy of my brother.
I don’t know what you’re thinking but he’s still the eldest son of the Lowell family.” His grip tightened around the steering.
“At the very least, you should have found a comparable family.
Instead, you arranged a marriage with a complete stranger.
Have you ever asked whether Matthias wants this?
Have you thought about his happiness at all?” The furious outburst echoed through the phone.
On the other end, Mrs.
Lowell said nothing.
Not a single word.