Chapter 21
The Brown Family?
I looked at the woman in front of me with some surprise. She really did have an air of proud nobility about her.
I couldn't quite figure out why she would come looking for me.
I hesitantly reached out my hand toward her.
"Hello, Miss Brown."
The woman behind Sophie slapped my hand away with a snap. She glared at me, her tone full of contempt.
"Is this something a lowlife like you can touch? We're here for one reason only - to tell you to stay away from Kane. You're not worthy of him at all."
She just stared at me intently, her eyes looking at me like I was some cheap thing, full of disdain.
I felt inexplicably timid, lowered my head, my fingers clutching tightly at my skirt, not daring to speak.
My appearance seemed to please them. Four mocking laughs rang out like bells, somewhat noisy.
It made me feel so ashamed.
If it weren't for Kane, I would never appear at this kind of occasion in my life, nor would I have any connection with these privileged daughters.
I suddenly really wanted Kane to show up quickly, so I wouldn't have to face this embarrassment alone.
"Sonya, you'd better go back to your church and be a good nun, serving your Lord, instead of coming out here using your slutty looks to seduce men."
Sophie stepped forward and grabbed my hand, her tone and eyes full of warning.
I didn't know why she hated me so much when this was only our first meeting.
Seeing that I didn't speak, the woman behind Sophie spoke up again.
"Are you mute? With looks like yours, how could you be worthy of Mr. Moretti? Sophie is the best match for Mr. Moretti and the most suitable marriage partner for him."
Hearing this, I suddenly understood.
So Sophie was hostile toward me because she liked Kane.
I looked at Sophie and told her the truth about Kane and me.
"It's not that I wanted to marry Kane. He took me from my stepfather's hands, hoping I would bear him a child."
Something about what I said angered Sophie.
She suddenly raised her hand, about to slap me across the face.
The next second, her hand was firmly caught by someone.
The man who had appeared at the door that afternoon stood in front of me with a smile.
"Sophie, long time no see. I know you have a temper. But today's party is hosted by me, so I hope you won't cause trouble here."
James's words carried a smile, but his expression was cold.
I saw a trace of fear flash in Sophie's eyes.
It seemed Sophie was quite wary of James.
Sophie glared at me viciously, then left with her girlfriends.
I let out a long breath of relief and turned to look at James.
His eyes always carried a smile, like a noble young master from a novel.
I bowed deeply to him, my tone full of gratitude.
"Thank you, sir, thank you for getting me out of that situation."
James's eyes perfectly scanned me from head to toe, finally making a tsk-tsk sound, his tone relaxed.
"No wonder he likes you. If it were me, I'd really like you too. Hey, seriously, why don't you be with me instead? Kane and I are good brothers, I'm sure he'd give you to me."
As he spoke, James's hand reached out to gently stroke my face.
I stepped back somewhat resistantly, my eyes full of vigilance as I stared at him.
Seeing my reaction, James looked like he'd found an interesting toy.
He followed me forward a step, as if he wouldn't be satisfied until he touched my face.
Just then, Bandel's voice rang out behind James.
"Mr. James, you should know our master's temper. If you want to joke around, you'd better find a different target."
I saw James's hand pause, then he shrugged with a look of regret.
"Bandel is like a dog kept by Kane's side. Whenever there's any trouble, he'll handle it for Kane. Pretty annoying, right?"
I hadn't seen Bandel many times, but I could sense his loyalty to Kane.
I blinked and gently shook my head, not agreeing with what he said.
When I looked up, I met Bandel's eyes. James had already walked away.
Bandel looked at me quietly, his tone calm.
"Mr. Moretti is worried you'd be uncomfortable here, so he asked me to take you to a private room where you can eat and drink as you like until he returns."
Just knowing I could stay in an enclosed space made me feel much more at ease.
I nodded at Bandel and said softly.
"Thank you."
Bandel didn't answer me, just turned and led me to a separate room on the deck.
It was already filled with all kinds of delicious food.
"You can rest here. I have other things to do, so I'll leave first. If you have any problems, you can tell the person at the door. His name is Rocky."
Rocky nodded at me.
He wore a sharp black suit. On his neck was a tattoo - the Moretti Family's distinctive mark.
I watched Bandel leave, and seeing Rocky standing at the door like a guardian, my worries finally settled completely.
There was lots of food in the room. After eating a couple of bites, I lost my appetite.
Sophie's words kept spinning in my mind.
Even though Kane said he wanted my clean body to bear him a child, I couldn't help but have doubts.
Couldn't he find a suitable marriage partner among those family ladies?
Why me specifically?
I felt something wasn't quite right, but I couldn't put my finger on it.
Maybe I was just overthinking it. With my background, what else could Kane get from me besides wanting my body to bear him a child?
I laughed at myself mockingly.
As I was happily eating desserts, a figure suddenly appeared at the door - a woman with very long hair.
She had an Eastern face and seemed to be saying something to Rocky.
Rocky's expression looked troubled, glancing at me from time to time.
Seeing this, I stood up and walked to the door.
"Hello, miss, are you looking for me?"
The Eastern woman looked at me. Her demeanor showed an elegance and composure I'd never seen before.
A hint of surprise flashed in her dark eyes, but she quickly smiled at me.
"You really are as cute as Kane said. I came specifically to find you. May I come in and sit?"
"Of course, no problem."
I could sense she had no ill intentions toward me, so I quickly invited her in.
Seeing that I agreed, Rocky didn't stop the Eastern woman.
I warmly invited her to sit on the sofa and handed her a cup of tea.
If I remembered correctly, Eastern people really loved drinking tea.
The woman looked at me and smiled even more gently.
"You can call me Merlin. My last name is Lee."