Chapter 31 Through Another's Might
Bianca's voice trembled, but there was steel behind it. "What are you doing? You're the one who told me to leave, and now you're blocking my way. What am I supposed to be to you?"
She looked straight at Terrence, her eyes shimmering with hurt, letting the accusation spill out.
Terrence's gaze darkened, the shadows in his eyes deepening like a storm gathering at sea. "If you choose to stay by my side, stop thinking you can walk away so easily."
Bianca turned her head sharply, refusing to meet his eyes.
His hand came up, fingers curling under her chin, forcing her to face him. His voice dropped, slower now, deliberate. "I don't want to hear you say the engagement is off… not ever again."
The possessiveness swirling in his eyes made her chest tighten. That commanding aura pressed down on her, stealing the air from her lungs.
"But earlier you—"
"I lost my temper," he cut in, his thumb brushing over her cheek with a touch that was surprisingly gentle, almost soothing. "That doesn't give you the right to use our engagement as a weapon against me."
He released her, only to take her hand and lead her toward the trash bin. From inside, he pulled out a discarded tie, then placed it firmly into her palm. "Put it on me."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she obeyed. Rising on her toes, she replaced the tie with the new one, tossing the old into the bin without ceremony.
Terrence's brow furrowed. "Why?"
"This one's pale blue with vertical stripes. The color doesn't suit you. From now on, you'll only wear what I choose for you."
His fingers brushed over the knot at his throat, and he gave a single, quiet word. "Alright."
He moved to his chair, sitting down with a controlled ease, his eyes never leaving her. "Come here."
She hesitated for a heartbeat, then stepped forward. His hand guided her closer until she was standing right in front of him. His voice was low, almost a growl. "Remember this… you are my fiancée, Bianca. That will never change."
She tilted her head back to meet his gaze, her voice soft but edged with hurt. "Then why did you treat me like that earlier?"
Terrence exhaled slowly, his thumb brushing away the faint trace of moisture at the corner of her eye. "I was wrong. But I don't like seeing you tangled up with him in any way."
Her lips curved faintly. "So… you were jealous?"
He didn't answer.
That silence was enough for her. She forgave him.
The next day, Bianca didn't accompany Terrence to the company. Instead, she made her way to the Rodriguez Mansion.
Glenn's face lit up when he saw her, as if he thought she had finally come to her senses. He welcomed her in with exaggerated warmth. "Bianca, did Mr. Anderson send you with a message for me?"
She looked at him, the corners of her mouth curving in a bitter, almost mocking smile.
Most children came home to warmth and worry—parents hovering with bowls of soup, fussing over blankets, asking if they were eating enough or sleeping well.
In her family, there was no such welcome. Unless she brought back something they could use, some advantage they could claim, she might as well have been a stranger who happened to share their blood.
"Dad, we need to talk," Bianca said, stepping into his study without waiting for an invitation. "I want in on the Rodriguez company."
Glenn's eyes narrowed, the warmth draining from his face.
"When I was younger, you promised me that once I came of age, you'd let me take on some of the company's affairs—teach me how to run it. I've waited years for that promise to mean something. Now I'm on the verge of marriage, halfway to building my own life. Isn't it time you kept your word?"
Back then, she had been just a girl, her mother Daphne gone too soon, leaving her adrift in a house that felt less like a home and more like a gilded cage. Glenn had always found ways to keep her out of the company—feeding her stories she once swallowed whole, too young to taste the bitterness beneath.
But she wasn't that girl anymore. The scars from her past life had taught her a single, unshakable truth—power meant nothing unless it sat in your own grip, solid and impossible to take away.
"You're bringing this up out of nowhere," Glenn said, his tone dismissive. "Whether it's the Rodriguez family or the Anderson family, you're well taken care of. All you need to do is be Mr. Anderson's wife.
"Most people would avoid joining a company to spare themselves the work. You could live as a socialite, spend freely, enjoy life. Why burden yourself?"
Bianca's eyes stayed cold. "If I remember correctly, my mother poured her life into the company. As her daughter, I have an obligation to take responsibility. Don't you agree, Dad?"
Glenn's lips pressed together. He couldn't quite read her intent. Was she here to fight for control?
Blair's voice cut in before he could answer. She had come downstairs, her face twisted with anger. "Bianca, how can you talk to Dad like that?"
"Dad's already old, and he still runs the company. You don't care about him, and now you want to take what's already built? If you really want to join, start from the bottom."
Bianca's gaze turned icy. She brushed past Blair, her hand lifting—then the sharp crack of a slap rang through the room.
Blair stared at her in shock, eyes wide. When she found her voice, it was a shriek. "Bianca, you hit me?"
Thea appeared in the doorway, her eyes narrowing when she saw her precious daughter clutching her face. She swallowed her fury, mindful of Glenn's presence, and spoke with calculated restraint. "I know I'm not Bianca's real mother, and she doesn't respect me. But I've always wanted harmony in this family. I never imagined she'd lay a hand on Blair. What's next—going after her own father?"
Glenn's brow furrowed, recalling Bianca's earlier words. Maybe she really did intend to reach into the Rodriguez family's affairs.
"You will apologize to Blair right now," Glenn ordered. "You're her sister. How could you do something so cruel?"
Bianca looked at the three of them—Glenn, Thea, Blair—as if they were the real family, and she was the outsider.
"Blair has tried to stir trouble between me and Mr. Anderson more than once. I'm simply settling old scores along with new ones. I will not apologize."
She knew Glenn wouldn't yield to her alone. So she used another tactic.
Right in front of them, she dialed Terrence. He answered in seconds.
"Terrence, I'm at the Rodriguez family home. I want to join my family's company. Do you agree?"
"Yes."
Bianca put the call on speaker, her gaze locking on Glenn. "Dad, Terrence has already agreed. You don't oppose it, do you? If you don't believe me, ask him yourself."
Glenn's spine went rigid. He stared at the phone in her hand. If he refused now, tomorrow's projects could vanish.
He swallowed his pride. "Fine. I agree."
The words seemed to cost him.
Bianca's lips curved in a mocking smile. She lifted the phone back to her ear, her voice turning soft. "Thank you, darling. I'll tell you more when I get back."
She ended the call without glancing at their faces and walked out of the Rodriguez Mansion.
"She's never shown interest in the company before," Blair muttered to Glenn, still holding her cheek. "Maybe she's afraid I'll take something from her, so she's making this move."
Glenn's suspicion deepened.
That evening, Bianca returned home to find Terrence on the sofa. She crossed the room to him, her steps light, her mood bright.
He knew exactly what had put that spark in her eyes, but he wanted to hear her say it.
Tilting his head, a faint smile playing at his lips, he asked, "So… how did it feel, leaning on my name?"
Her eyes dropped, a flicker of guilt crossing her face.