Chapter 15: The Two-Faced Dev Family

The Dev family stood frozen, jaws slack, eyes wide.

Laura’s face twisted with disbelief. “Clan leader, you must’ve heard wrong! You mean me, right? You couldn’t have meant Cora!”

The old man gave her a pointed look. “I may be old, girl, but I can still tell your names apart.”

Ravi finally snapped out of her daze.

Cora’s words from yesterday echoed in her head—something about marriage. She’d assumed it was some nouveau-riche fling at best. Never, in her wildest imagination, had she expected this.

Suddenly, she was all smiles.

“Oh, Cora! My sweet, blessed child! You should’ve told your grandmother sooner! To think you went and found yourself such a fine husband—what a surprise!”

Just minutes ago, Ravi had been ready to hit her.

Now she clutched Cora’s hand like a prized heirloom, grinning so wide it nearly cracked her face.

Laura’s lips curled. “So what if he’s rich? You think a man like that would look twice at Cora? Please. Maybe she landed herself some balding, middle-aged uncle desperate for a wife!”

Before she could finish her sentence, the lead car’s door opened.

A chauffeur in black uniform stepped out, the Watson family crest gleaming on his chest.

He moved with crisp precision, walking around to open the rear door.

A single leg—long, lean, and impeccably tailored—appeared first.

Then came the man himself.

Julian Watson.

Even the sunlight seemed to bend toward him as he straightened to his full height, the sharp lines of his face catching the light like cut glass.

For a second, the whole yard forgot to breathe.

Cora had always known Julian was handsome, but not like this—his kind of beauty was the kind that stole the air from your lungs.

It wasn’t just looks; it was presence—commanding, elegant, utterly untouchable.

Laura’s jaw fell open. “N-no way… impossible!”

Even Cora’s mother could only stare, speechless.

Julian turned and held out a hand.

Madam Yoon emerged from the car next, regal in a pale silk coat, her every step radiating quiet authority.

Behind them, nearly a dozen servants followed in a perfect line, each holding an ornate gift box wrapped in gold-threaded ribbon.

Ravi’s knees almost gave out. She had never—ever—seen such extravagance.

Madam Yoon’s smile was polite but faintly assessing as her gaze swept over the family.

Everyone was dressed in their best, except Cora and her mother, still wearing old, work-stained clothes, sleeves rolled up from chores.

Her brow tightened—but only for a heartbeat. Then she smiled again.

“Dear in-laws,” she said graciously, “I’ve brought my grandson today to formally propose. These are small gifts—please don’t take offense at their simplicity.”

Julian inclined his head slightly. “Grandmother.”

At that cue, the servants opened each box.

Ravi’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head—premium tonics, rare ginseng roots, imported silk, even a full tea set crafted in solid gold.

The entire room gasped.

Even Laura’s future mother-in-law, who had been basking in self-importance moments earlier, was struck silent.

When Ravi finally regained her voice, she could only stammer, “P-please, please, come inside, everyone! What an honor!”

Cora glanced uncertainly at Julian, unsure how to act.

As they walked past, he reached back and caught her hand. Their fingers interlaced tightly.

Cora stiffened, instinctively trying to pull away.

“Even a performance,” he murmured low enough for only her to hear, “should look convincing. After all, I am making you look good today.”

“…Right.”

She let him hold her hand.

Julian’s lips curved, a quiet, amused smirk hidden beneath his calm facade.

To everyone else, they looked like the perfect couple—the poised heir and his gentle bride.

But Cora’s heart raced for all the wrong reasons.

Her grandmother’s greed was written across her face, and Cora could already see the wheels turning behind those eager eyes.

Whatever demands came next… she doubted even Julian was ready for them.