“You got this, Iris. Don’t let them get to you.”
Easier said than done. While no one spoke to me besides a quick greeting, they were quick to assess me like a lab rat. The number of women checking out what drink I was sipping and whether my bloated stomach was due to pregnancy or pasta was astounding. I’ve never been self-conscious about my figure, but the way they were analyzing me had my skin growing hot under my silk scarf.
They don’t matter. I roll my shoulders back and touch up my lipstick before exiting the bathroom.
I take a step toward the ballroom before I’m taken off balance by someone grabbing onto my elbow.
“How much is he paying you?” Declan’s father turns me around so I can face him.
I tug my arm from his grasp. “I have no idea who or what you’re talking about.”
“I’m willing to pay you double whatever he offered to make this engagement cease to exist.”
My eyes widen. “Excuse me?”
“You can’t be this dense.”
“Make sure to speak plainly since I struggle to keep up with high concepts.”
“Obviously Declan must have been desperate if he chose you of all people.”
The audacity of this man. “I’m a lucky woman. Marrying your son is like a Dreamland story brought to life.”
He makes a noise in the back of his throat. “Don’t flatter yourself. Declan is only marrying you for his inheritance.”
“He’s what?” I hitch my voice at the perfect time.
“You didn’t know.” His brows pull together.
I’ve got him right where I want him. “What are you talking about? He never mentioned anything about an inheritance.” I will my bottom lip to tremble, and the results are miraculous.
“The only reason he put a ring on your finger is because he wants my position. Without you, he has no chance at becoming CEO.”
I blink twice. “What?”
His bitter laugh makes me want to recoil. “You can’t actually think he wants to marry you for love?”
“If not love, then what for?” My hand presses against my chest, clawing at the material of my dress as if I want to rip my heart out. If Cal were here, I imagine he would hand me a golden trophy for my performance. Maybe Declan would even give me a raise.
“What else? An inheritance. Without a wife and a child, he has no way of becoming CEO.”
“Are you serious? What is wrong with you people?” My pitch rises like I might break out into tears at any moment.
He tucks his hands in his pockets. “Unfortunately.”
“How did you find all this out?”
His brows pull together. “How I found out doesn’t matter.”
I withhold the bodily urge to roll my eyes. “Do you have proof? You can’t believe I’m dumb enough to take your word over my fiancé’s?”
His eyes narrow ever so slightly as if to tell me yes, he thought I was that dumb. At least his assumptions about me make this whole conversation that much more victorious.
“He and I had a discussion about all of this when he sought out my advice. I tried to warn him to not go through with this, but he didn’t listen.”
Boom. I catch him right where I want him. There is no way Declan would ever speak to his father about his inheritance, which means all of Seth Kane’s assumptions are based solely on speculation. I almost laugh at my discovery, but I’m not ready to break character yet. I’m having all too much fun playing with Chicago’s biggest asshole.
I dab at the corners of my eyes. “Excuse me. I’m just feeling so overwhelmed suddenly.”
Mr. Kane shakes his head as if he is truly disgusted by Declan’s life choices. He doesn’t have two legs to stand on given his history, but he puts on a good show. One almost better than mine. “My son should know better than to play with an innocent woman’s feelings. I thought I taught him better than that.”
I don’t even know where to start with that comment.
Don’t let him get to you. He’s only trying to scare you into calling off the marriage.
I steel my spine. “There’s only one person playing with my feelings, and I’m staring straight at him. Thanks for all the information though. I’m sure Declan will be interested in hearing all about your attempt to ruin our engagement.”
His face morphs into something straight out of a child’s nightmare. “You think you’re clever?”
“Oh, I know I am.”
“I was trying to save you from a loveless marriage, but it seems as if you two deserve each other.”