Chapter 3
"If you were capable, do you think your dad would just ignore you?" I asked.
"But I... I just graduated. I don't have any experience," Miles stammered.
"Then start from the bottom. Do I really have to spell this out for you? What, did you learn nothing in school?" I scoffed.
Besides, didn't Nolan climb his way up step by step, just like everyone else?
I heard he started getting involved in the family business when he was just sixteen.
After that, the Beckett family's company just kept growing.
The Becketts had already moved into their estate.
Meanwhile, my family was still living in our old place halfway up the hill.
But Miles would drop by now and then to chat.
He was probably hoping to pick up some tips from me.
"Your eighteenth birthday is next month. So, what do you want for your coming-of-age party? Just name it, and I'll make it happen," Miles said.
I glanced at him.
"Not interested," I said.
As the Queen, I had everything I needed for my coming-of-age party and wanted for nothing.
That day, my house was buzzing with guests. Laughter and toasts filled the air. I walked down the stairs in a white dress, making my entrance.
Then I sat at the piano and played a song for everyone.
Honestly, I was never good at anything in particular over the years.
Aside from picking up a bit of self-defense, I spent most of my time practicing piano to make my parents look good in front of others.
What a perfect daughter I was!
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught someone I didn't recognize snapping photos with a camera, trying to be discreet.
I jerked my chin in his direction. "Who's that?"
After all, we didn't invite any reporters.
Miles waved it off. "Don't worry about him.
"He's probably just trying to get some content for his social media."
Miles pulled out his phone and showed it to me proudly.
He said, "So, what do you think? Look at the framing, the lighting, the composition, pretty awesome, right?"
Honestly, the photos were pretty good.
"If you put even half the effort into business that you do into photography, you'd probably be running the company by now," I teased.
"Look who's talking," Miles shot back.
He scoffed.
"Lawrence's into design, you're obsessed with piano, and I'm all about photography," Miles said. "What's wrong with that?
"We've all got such bright futures, haven't we?"
Thinking about my hopeless brother Lawrence, I felt utterly disappointed in him.
He decided to major in design instead.
He didn't even think about who should take over the family business.
It couldn't be me, this delicate self-proclaimed Queen.
I traded a few more jabs with Miles.
When I looked again, that guy had disappeared.
I didn't give it much thought and slipped back into my role as the Desmond family's princess.
So yeah, while Lawrence and I were off chasing our dreams, the Desmond family business hit major setbacks.
To put it simply, our family went bankrupt.
My defeated dad stood on the rooftop.
The icy wind whipped across his face, making him look like he was starring in some tragic movie.
He said, "Lawrence, I'm leaving the family to you now. Take care of your mom and your sister.
"They've never had to suffer. You gotta step up and be the man now."
He patted Lawrence on the shoulder, his voice heavy. "And don't forget, you've got all the debts I'm leaving you."
Lawrence was dumbfounded.
"Dad, have you lost your mind?" he blurted out.
"You think dying is gonna fix everything? Get down here, now! We'll figure something out," he snapped, looking anxious and furious.
My dad looked tragic. "Actually, there's one thing we could try.
"Magnus came to me. He wants to arrange a marriage alliance between our families."
My eyes snapped to Lawrence.
My dad said, "But I couldn't let my only precious daughter sacrifice her whole future for the sake of our family.
"So don't try to stop me."
Lawrence's eyes snapped to me.
I pointed at myself with my right hand.
"Me?" I asked.
What the hell did he mean?
Who on earth came up with the idea of arranging my marriage to Miles?
If that really happened, I would make sure he was dead meat on our wedding night.
Lawrence moved in a flash. Before anyone could blink, he grabbed my dad and hauled him off the rooftop.
He practically dragged my dad all the way down to the living room.
The whole family gathered for an emergency meeting.
We all just fell silent.
I cleared my throat, breaking the silence.
"So," I said, "since this concerns me, let me speak up first.
"Miles is decent-looking, but he's just not my type.
"Honestly, he's not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, and he doesn't deserve someone as gorgeous as me."
I realized I'd exaggerated a little as soon as I spoke, but never mind. I would leave it at that for now.
"That's all I've got to say. Who's next? I said.
Lawrence's face turned sour, and he slammed his hand on the table.
"Whoever owes the money should be the one to pay. And whoever agreed to this marriage alliance should be the one getting married!" he snapped.
He shot my dad a glare. "Why don't you go marry into the Beckett family yourself?"
My mom, sitting next to Lawrence, turned to glance at my dad.
She muttered, "Seriously, that old geezer? Who'd ever go for him?"
After my dad was pulled down from the rooftop, his expression was a bit more composed.
He took a sip of his coffee, then dropped a bombshell.