CHAPTER 3

Isabella stood next to the stage, and everybody caught every word she said. Nathan, Terence, and the crowd beelined to her.

“Isabella Sorenson! Have you flipped your lid?” Nathan’s face was all red.

“No kidding! What’s that even mean?” Winona added, looking all shook up.

“Are you crazy? You’re practically giving away your assets by doing this!” Lorelai was devastated.

Isabella completely ignored the people behind her and focused on the man before her. “Sir, do you hear me? Marry me, and you will have a fortune in three years. It’s a bargain.”

The man’s clear gaze met hers, and he chuckled. “You know, guys usually do the proposing.” His voice was low and sexy.

Isabella was speechless, the crowd zipped it for a hot second, then split their sides laughing. They figured he ditched her.

Nathan almost couldn’t resist the urge to storm forward and kick Isabella. “Isabella! Get back here right now!”

The man’s low voice sounded right after Nathan finished his sentence. “I’ll marry you.”

Complete silence ensued.

“My name is Clayton Murray. I’m 28 years old and single. I work at Rayson International. Ms. Isabella Sorenson, will you marry me?” Clayton fixed his gaze upon Isabella.

Tears fell from Isabella’s big eyes. “Thank you! Yes, I will!”

Inside, she’s throwing high fives to luck. Finally, she could breathe. Didn’t matter who he was as long as she was pulling herself out of the quicksand.

And just like that, the crowd went wild.

“Say what? That’s Clayton Murray from Rayson International?” someone gasped.

“Whoa, the legendary second son of the Murray family?” someone else hollered.

“No way! I heard Clayton doesn’t mix with ladies. Could this be a fake?” somebody wondered.

“Bummer. Mr. Murray’s like a ghost—never seen in public or snapping selfies. How can we even know if it’s really him?” another person pitched in.

“He looks legit. I mean, who would have the guts to fake being Mr. Murray? Plus, dude’s got charm—I hear the real Clayton’s a looker,” came a comment from the crowd.

Isabella dried her eyes and spun around to face the stage crowd. “Just to be clear—Zachary and I are done. We’re out of each other’s lives. Next up, I’m marrying—”

She had to check with Clayton because she blanked on his name.

“Clayton.” He gave her a small grin.

“Yeah, Clayton!” Isabella said, staring them down without a wince.

Nathan boomed, “Hold up; you’re the Clayton Murray?”

Clayton just gave a cool nod. “That’s me.”

Terence’s expression darkened. He glared at Zachary and Scarlett, thinking, ‘It’s all this little punk’s fault!’

Megan and Yvonne were stunned. ‘How’s he so drop-dead gorgeous?’ they wondered incredulously.

Clayton swept his glance across the stage. “You all must be Isabella’s family. Sorry for taking the liberty to announce our marriage in this way today. I’ll pay you a visit someday.”

After saying that, he turned around and linked arms with Isabella, his tone gentle as he spoke to her. “Let’s go. What’s going on here is none of our business.”

“Mr. Murray, don’t be fooled by Isabella! Over the years, she has been a nuisance, trying all means to curry favor with Zach just to get married to him. A woman even Zach has abandoned doesn’t deserve you!” Megan shouted eagerly. ”I won’t let Isabella have such an excellent man all to herself! I’m better than her. Mr. Murray should marry me. Isabella is nothing compared to me!’ she thought.

“Yes, Mr. Murray. Please wait! Isabella hasn’t gotten my dad’s permission.” Yvonne’s soft voice was filled with anxiety. She wasn’t as foolish and reckless as Megan, but she, too, wanted Clayton to herself. ‘Everyone will think Clayton and Isabella are engaged if they leave like this. I won’t allow this! Such an outstanding man should be mine,’ she mused.

“Dad, say something! How can you let Isabella leave like this? Mr. Winslow hasn’t agreed to cancel the engagement yet!” Yvonne urged.

Nathan met his beloved daughter’s gaze and cleared his throat. “Isabella! Come back!”

Terence and Lorelai exchanged glances before the latter shouted, “Isabella, stop messing around. Come back and let’s talk things out.”

Isabella tightened her fists, and Clayton patted her on the arm as reassurance.

He stopped, turned around, and glanced at the people on the stage. “Thank you, Mr. Zachary Winslow, for falling in love with someone else and giving Isabella to me.”

Everyone, including Isabella, looked at Clayton in surprise.

Gazing at Clayton’s side profile, Isabella thought, ‘I’m so lucky today. This random man that I chose supports me without hesitation.’

Clayton then looked at Nathan. “Mr. Ingram, do you have a problem with your daughter marrying me?”

His voice was gentle and calm, but his domineering aura made Nathan flinch.

“Zachary, my stomach hurts.” An anguished voice rang out at that moment. Scarlett, grabbing Zachary, held her stomach and bent over in pain.

“Scarlett, what’s wrong?” The anxiety and concern in Zachary’s voice were obvious.

Isabella’s gaze dimmed, and her heart ached when she saw how much Zachary cared for Scarlett. Lorelai and Terence looked at Scarlett furiously.

Scarlett admitted timidly, “I-I have been pregnant for two months.”

“What? A-Are you pregnant with Zachary’s child?” Lorelai was in shock.

Scarlett nodded in pain. “Zachary, my stomach hurts.”

Zachary panicked and said, “T-Then, what should we do?” He didn’t expect Scarlett to be pregnant. He looked at Isabella below the stage and averted his gaze upon noticing her tear-filled eyes.