Chapter 16 I Let It Happen
Through the dark tint of her sunglasses, Blair could not fully read Terrence's expression. Still, she was certain—at least in her own mind—that he must have harbored some unspoken dissatisfaction toward Bianca. That assumption alone was enough for her to press forward.
She leaned in slightly, her tone dripping with false concern. "Mr. Anderson, Bianca has been spoiled all her life by her family. She might be a little lacking in manners, so I hope you won't take offense."
Blair's voice turned sharper, though she masked it with a sisterly smile. "Bianca, you haven't even married Mr. Anderson yet. If you keep that temper, people will talk… and not in a kind way. I'm your sister, so I won't say too much, but if it were anyone else, they wouldn't tolerate it."
She gestured toward the dress box in her hands. "And this gown—our mother chose it herself. It's her heartfelt gift to you."
Every word was calculated, each syllable meant to chip away at Bianca's standing in Terrence's eyes. Blair was certain it would work.
Bianca, however, remained silent, her gaze fixed on Blair, studying her like one might study a snake in the grass.
In truth, Bianca wasn't entirely sure what Terrence thought of her. They had spent time together in recent days, but would he believe Blair's carefully crafted half-truths?
Terrence's voice cut through the tension. "Bianca's temperament is something I've allowed… and I don't see anything wrong with it. Do you, Ms. Ember?"
Bianca's eyes widened, surprise flickering into something warmer. Their gazes locked, and in that moment, a rush of quiet joy filled her chest. He was standing on her side.
Blair's fingers curled into tight fists. She hadn't expected that. What spell had Bianca cast on Terrence? In just a few days, he was speaking for her, openly. Strange… not long ago, Bianca had seemed to avoid him at all costs. Could this all be for the sake of the Rodriguez family?
Forcing a brittle smile, Blair tried again. "Mr. Anderson, my sister can be a bit willful. I only worry that if you indulge her too much, she might make bigger mistakes once she's part of the Anderson family. You know how strict your family rules are. I just don't want her to get into trouble."
Bianca seized the moment. She shifted the gown aside like it was nothing, then looped her arm through Terrence's with deliberate intimacy, tilting her chin toward Blair in open defiance. "No need to worry, Blair. My temper is hardly worth mentioning in this house. Mr. Anderson has seen me at my most impossible."
Terrence's gaze lingered on Bianca's profile, his attention wholly hers. Blair might as well have been invisible. Feeling the sting of dismissal,
Blair straightened, unwilling to stay and be outmatched. "Well, I've said my piece. The gown is here. Bianca, make sure you attend the event on time."
She left quickly, heels clicking against the marble floor. The moment she stepped outside, her composure cracked.
"Smug little thing… One day, Terrence will be mine," she muttered under her breath.
Inside, Bianca released Terrence's arm. His sleeve still held the warmth of her hand, and the sudden absence left him oddly unsettled.
"This dress is hideous. Only she and her mother could have picked something like this," Bianca said, pinching the fabric between two fingers with disdain.
It was obvious they wanted her to wear it to the event just to make her a laughingstock.
Terrence was weighing whether to tell her to choose another gown when Barry stepped into Crystal Gardens, ready to report on business. His eyes landed on Bianca, who was holding the dress up for inspection, and the words escaped him before he could stop them. "Ms. Rodriguez, are you planning to throw that out? I can do it for you."
Bianca froze mid-motion, then turned toward Terrence with a pout that was equal parts playful and wounded. "Mr. Anderson, you heard that, didn't you? Even Mr. Myers thinks it's ugly. They're doing this on purpose—wanting me to wear it so I'll be humiliated. If it were just me, fine. But everyone knows I'm engaged to you. When I attend the event, I represent you… and the Anderson family."
Her voice sharpened. "I don't know what they think they're gaining from this. Don't they realize it could make you and the Anderson family angry?"
She tossed the gown aside with a flare of frustration. "After my mother passed, my father married that woman. Blair came with her. She's from the Ember family, yet she's treated far better than I am in my own home. I never asked for wealth or privilege. All I wanted was for my father to spare me a little affection. But after my mother's death… that became impossible."
Her eyes darkened. "You saw it yourself when you came to the Rodriguez Mansion. For the sake of profit, they didn't hesitate to pressure me into asking you for financial support. Sometimes, I wish I hadn't been born into that family at all."
Barry realized too late that his comment had struck a nerve. "I'm sorry, Ms. Rodriguez. I didn't know you were supposed to wear it to the event."
Bianca shook her head. "It's fine. The dress is ugly enough that anyone would think it's just scraps of fabric. I'm used to being treated differently… It doesn't bother me anymore."
Her calm tone only made Terrence more aware of the fragility beneath her composure. "Barry, toss it. And have someone send over a haute couture gown."
Barry nodded, reaching for the dress—only for Bianca to stop him with a quick, firm grip. "Don't…"
"If you don't like it, I'll have more sent until you find one you love," Terrence said.
Some of her earlier words had been deliberately chosen, but hearing him speak for her so plainly still stirred something deep inside her. It was the kind of consideration she had never known in the Rodriguez family.
"I know you mean well, Mr. Anderson. But this gown is from my stepmother. If I don't wear it, they'll use it against me at the event. They never saw me as part of the family… so why should I value this so-called bond?"
Terrence studied her, wondering what she intended to do. He knew she was no helpless victim. Whatever she was planning, she would see it through—and he would be there to catch her if she fell.
Bianca held the gown with steady hands. In her mind, the plan was already in motion. Blair. Thea. They wanted to see her stumble. This time… they would be disappointed.