Chapter 0199

The people blocking the door step aside and the new guests begin to fill in - about twenty of them. Some of the people are

familiar to me but some are totally new. While everyone else fills in, I’m surprised to see my father standing still, narrowing his

eyes at Kent, apparently confused.

And then he shifts his glance to me, on Daniel's arm, and I realize that...Kent just publicly re-established my engagement to

Daniel without Alden’s permission, even though my father has been offering me around as a potential marriage option to other

powerful families — Ivan included —

I quickly glance around the room, trying to get a read on it —

I see lvan’s blonde head moving away from us through a group of people, walking with a dark-haired girl —

But, more pressing, I see Natalia and Alessi approaching Kent, their eyes curious and a little eager, as if they’re hyenas finally

getting to the heart of their prey.

And Kent is staring at my father, locking eyes with him, daring him to counter his word that Daniel and I are engaged, that the

alliance between the Lippert and Alden families that has lasted for twenty-two years has finally broken apart.

I know immediately what I have to do and I move, pulling Daniel with me to my father’s side.

“Papa!” I say, giving a happy little laugh and throwing an arm around his shoulders, still keeping a hold on Daniel with my free

hand. I stand on my toes to give my father a warm kiss on the cheek. “I’m so glad you could come — I didn’t hear word back from

the invitation!”

My father starts a little at my sudden hug but then wraps his arms around me, fond. “It is good to see you, girl,” he says, smiling

down at me in a fatherly way. And despite how much he’s pushed me recently, I’m reminded — suddenly — of the fond father that I

saw in the images of his wedding to my mother, the way he looked at me when I was a child. And I realize that he’s perhaps

been waiting for a hug from me for a long, long time.

I smile at him, then, not able to help it.

“Sir,” Daniel says, breaking the moment a little, but not in a bad way. He offers his hand to my father with a charming smile. “It is

good to see you again.”

“Daniel...” my father says, hesitating just for a breath as he looks at Daniel's hand. My father then glances towards Alessi and

Natalia, who have drawn close to Kent. And I realize, quite suddenly, that he knows precisely who they are. “Yes,” Alden

concludes, apparently making a decision as he releases me to take Daniel’s hand in a hearty shake, pulling him in for a hug as

well. “It is good to see you as well, son.”

When Daniel pulls back, my father wraps an arm around my shoulder and he, Daniel and I walk as a trio towards Kent, Alessi,

and Natalia, who stand waiting for us.

“Dad,” I say, doing my best to play the gracious hostess, “forgive me, I’m not sure if you've been introduced —*

“Alessi,” my father says, squeezing the arm around my shoulders in thanks and putting out a warm hand towards Alessi, who

shakes it happily. “It’s been years — so good to see you again, and you looking so well.”

“You, however,” Alessi says, giving

him an amiable grin. es w have it

ten, @{ittle a 00 much of

these American cheeseburgers?”

Please read the original content at

.

My eyes go a little wide at Alessi’s

gall but my father bursts into ric

laughter, and Haya ittle 83

WO WORE Fi ay, at Daniel, I realize

that he’s doing it too — all three of us

faking it, all three playing the game.

Please read the original content at

.

“You've got me there,” ae elie oot

shaking his head in tials train I

is eautitSp Aa "my

hvac continues, looking towards

Natalia. Please read the original

content at .

“Natalia,” Kent says, gesturing towards her. “Of the Bianci family, in Sicily.”

“Another Sicilian,” my father replies, taking her hand and bowing low over it. “Like me.”