Chapter 314

Chapter 314
Diana POV

I shook my head. "Jacob doesn't matter. Mrs. Flaming is easy to get along with. Marrying into the Flaming family, life should be manageable."

"But the person you'll spend your whole life with is Jacob."

I smiled faintly. "If I can't marry the person I love, it doesn't matter who I marry."

If that was the case, I might as well choose a family that was easy to get along with.

I said this quietly, heavily, like a confession. The words barely made a sound.

James only saw my lips move. He frowned. "What did you say?"

I smiled and shook my head. "Nothing."

Just then, the elevator reached the basement level.

The doors opened.

I gestured for him to go first.

And conveniently ended the conversation.

We didn't speak again for the rest of the drive.

When we arrived at Snowflake Club, Harvey stopped the car at the main entrance.

I got out first, then opened the door and stood properly to the side, waiting for James to exit, a professional smile on my face.

James glanced at me as he got out but said nothing. He walked past me.

I watched his tall figure disappear behind the ornate screen inside the entrance.

Only then did I head inside myself.

The reception staff led me to the room Jacob had reserved.

It was only seven o'clock—still an hour before our agreed meeting time.

Bored, I called Bella. "You're not at Snowflake Club today?"

"I've been abroad the past few days. Not in New Valley. Are you at Snowflake Club now? Which room?"

"The Backstage Room."

Bella made a disapproving sound. "Didn't you mention my name when you booked? Why did they put you in The Backstage Room?"

The Backstage Room was the most remote, smallest, and worst room at Snowflake Club. It didn't even have a window.

Usually only cheapskates trying to look rich would book this room.

Even if the staff didn't recognize me, with the membership level she'd gotten me, they shouldn't have assigned me to a room like this.

Bella said angrily, "These people are getting more careless by the day. Hold on, I'll have someone switch your room right now."

I quickly said, "No need. It's not the staff's fault. I didn't book this room. It's fine—I'm just meeting someone briefly and leaving. I won't stay long."

I figured Jacob had booked this kind of room because he wasn't interested in me either and wasn't taking this blind date seriously.

That was fine. It would save trouble later.

Just then, I heard footsteps at the door.

I lowered my voice and said to Bella, "The person I'm meeting is here. Talk later."

Bella made a distracted sound of acknowledgment.

I was about to hang up when I heard Bella curse. "What the hell! Diana, when did you get in touch with Stuart? This room was booked by Stuart."

"What?"

I was equally shocked.

But it was too late.

Stuart stood in the doorway wearing a floral shirt and jeans—the epitome of nouveau riche tackiness.

He grinned sleazily and greeted me. "Hey, Diana! Long time no see!"

I shoved my phone in my pocket, grabbed my bag with one hand, and picked up a large glass ashtray with the other. I kept my eyes on Stuart warily as I moved toward the door.

Seeing this, Stuart immediately locked the door from the inside. He looked at me excitedly. "Diana, don't be so tense. I'm not a bad guy. Don't be scared."

I stared at him. "What are you doing here?"

Stuart pulled out a chair and sat down, playing with a lighter. He smiled. "I'm here for our blind date, of course."

"Then I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm not interested."

Stuart didn't look offended. He ran his tongue over his back teeth and leered at me. "But I'm interested in you. Diana, you know I've always liked you. All these years, every girlfriend I've had looked like you. If you get together with me, I'll cut ties with all of them. I'll treat you like a queen. How about it?"

His words disgusted me. I said bluntly, "That's too bad. I'm the opposite of you. I don't like you."

Bella's voice came through the phone. "Diana, don't be scared. I've already notified security. They'll be there any second."

Stuart heard and laughed nastily. "Don't waste your energy. I've already locked the door. They can't get in."

Bella cursed on the other end.

I quietly let out a breath of relief. Thank god Bella was on the line. Otherwise, I could die in here and no one would know.

Before long, footsteps sounded outside.

Then came security knocking. "Ms. York! Ms. York! Are you in there? Are you all right?"

I was about to answer when Stuart spoke first. "She's fine. She's doing great. Tell Bella not to worry. I don't bite. What's there to be afraid of?"

The security guard tried reasoning with him. "Mr. Mole, please open the door. Ms. Hall said if you don't open it, we'll call the police. You don't want this to escalate, do you?"

"Go ahead and call them!"

Stuart laughed arrogantly, his eyes roving over me. "Diana, once tonight is over, you'll be mine. Your name will be tied to mine forever. Are you sure you still want them to call the police? Don't forget—most of New Valley's elite families have memberships here at Snowflake Club. If this news gets out, how will you get rid of me? Who else would dare go on a blind date with you?"

I took a quiet breath.

I wasn't as panicked as before.

I asked Stuart, "You want to marry me that badly?"

Stuart said, "Yes! I dream about it!"

I nodded and pulled out a chair to sit down. "Since you're here in Jacob's place today, I assume you can offer me more than the Flaming family?"

Stuart nodded. "Absolutely. I can give you more. I can even make sure all of the York family's projects in New Valley go smoothly."