Chapter 39 Trap
Selena's POV
I relaxed my body and obediently leaned into Royce's arms, even raising my hand to wrap around his neck.
I could feel his body stiffen instantly. Clearly, he hadn't expected me to be so cooperative either.
"Yes, darling," I looked up at Royce with a smile. My voice was sickeningly sweet, making even myself feel disgusted. "What took you so long to come out? I was almost driven crazy by this irrelevant person."
I deliberately emphasized the words "irrelevant person," but my eyes stayed fixed on Myrdal the whole time.
His hand holding the ring box was trembling, as if he might crush it at any moment.
"Selena... you..." He looked at me, his eyes full of pain and betrayal. "How could you... how could you be with him?!"
"Why couldn't I?" Royce answered for me. "We've been together all along, haven't we?"
He was asking me, but also warning me.
"Of course."
I winked at him, then turned my gaze back to Myrdal. The smile disappeared from my face, leaving only cold disgust.
"Myrdal, can't you understand plain English? I told you to get lost. You're not welcome here."
"Impossible... this can't be..."
"What's impossible?" I sneered. "Who do you think you are? You think just because you came back with a ring that someone else has already worn, I'd be so grateful that I'd throw myself into your arms? Dream on. I'm not that idiot anymore who could be fooled by a few sweet words from you."
Royce's hand around my waist tightened a bit more.
I could feel a low chuckle coming from his chest.
He was pleased with himself.
He was enjoying this show, enjoying his position as the victor.
Myrdal glared at Royce like he wanted to rip his head off.
"Sterling, you despicable bastard! You took advantage of the situation!"
"Took advantage?" Royce raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Carter, I think you should get your head checked. You were the one who pushed her away, weren't you? Now, you have no right to stand here and tell my fiancée what to do."
The word fiancée was like a knife, stabbing into Myrdal's heart again.
He staggered, and the ring box slipped from his hand and hit the floor.
The so-called family heirloom ring rolled out of the box, rolled a few times on the carpet, and stopped right at my feet.
How ironic.
"Now," Royce's voice turned cold, "take your trash and get out of here. Don't make me say it twice."
Myrdal's chest was heaving violently. He looked at me, then at Royce, and finally his gaze fell on the ring on the floor.
He didn't pick up the ring.
"Selena, you'll regret this. You think he's some kind of good guy? He'll just treat you like a plaything!"
Then he turned to Royce.
"Royce , we'll see about this. I'm keeping score of what happened today."
With that, he spun around and strode away without looking back.
The door wasn't closed, just left wide open, like a mocking joke.
As soon as Myrdal left, I immediately broke free from his embrace, stepped back two paces, and put a safe distance between us.
"The show's over, Mr. Sterling." I crossed my arms and looked at him coldly. "Now, can you explain what that was all about?"
"Fiancée? Do you think planting me like a flag on your territory gives you a sense of achievement?"
He didn't get angry at my questioning.
He just calmly adjusted his shirt cuffs, then walked to the bar and poured himself a glass of water.
"It worked, didn't it?" He took a sip of water, turned to look at me, his face wearing that expression I hated most—the one that said he had everything under control.
"He's gone. And I'm guessing he won't be bothering you again anytime soon."
"So I should thank you?" I laughed in anger. "Thank you for taking it upon yourself to announce that I'm your fiancée? Mr. Sterling, aren't you overstepping a bit?"
"I'm just stating a fact that's about to happen." He put down his glass and walked toward me step by step.
That familiar sense of oppression enveloped me again.
"Our families already have an engagement arrangement. I just moved up the timeline a little."
"I didn't agree!"
"But you cooperated just now. You called me 'darling' and held me. In Myrdal's eyes, we're a couple madly in love."
This bastard! He was twisting the facts!
I was shaking with anger, unable to say a word.
Because what he said was true.
To drive Myrdal away, I had indeed cooperated with him.
I had fallen into the trap he'd dug.
"You..." I gritted my teeth, forcing out a few words. "What exactly do you want?"
"What do I want?" He smiled. "I thought I'd made it very clear. I want you, Selena. I want you to be my wife."
Crazy! This complete control freak!
"In your dreams!"
"We'll see about that soon enough."
His smile deepened. He seemed to enjoy watching me seethe with anger while being completely helpless against him.
He glanced at his watch. "Tomorrow at ten. A driver will pick you up."
"Where to?" I asked warily.
"To see my grandmother. She's vacationing nearby. Just a five-hour drive." He looked at me, and there was no room for negotiation in those eyes. Only notification. "You made quite an impression when you saved her life in that ridiculous dress. She wants to thank you in person, my fiancée."
...To see his grandmother.
He wasn't asking. He was cornering me.
I had just used his power to get rid of Myrdal. If I turned on him now and denied our relationship, I'd not only make myself look like a fool, but I'd also completely enrage this man.
I looked at that smug, confident face, and for the first time, I understood what it meant to feel powerless.
I had crawled out of one pit only to fall into an even deeper trap.
And this trap? I had admitted to it myself. I had jumped in willingly.