Chapter 272: Will You Marry Me?

Cynthia looked at Augustus standing before her, taking in this romantic scene: the man she loved, her dear family—they were all here by her side.

Her nose tingled with emotion, and she fought back tears of joy.

"Didn't you already propose to me?"

During the earthquake.

Though Cynthia's tone was complaining, she couldn't hide the deep emotion and happiness she felt.

"You're the most important woman in my life. How could I let you accept my proposal so casually? I want to give you the best of everything in the world, and today is just the beginning."

That's why he had come to the Lockhart Mansion several days early to explain his proposal plan to Randolph and Beatrice, and contacted the Lockhart family sons, hoping they could come back to witness this moment in person.

"Everything in the room was prepared by Augustus."

Beatrice had just wiped away her tears of joy and couldn't help but speak softly, "He came over early this morning, and he did all the decorating himself."

She felt at ease entrusting her precious daughter to a man like this.

Cynthia looked at Augustus and gently nodded.

"I'm willing to marry you."

Augustus's eyes lit up. He immediately took out the ring and gently slipped it onto her ring finger, then rose and pulled Cynthia into his embrace.

The living room instantly filled with warm applause from their family.

The room was bathed in soft light, surrounded by the scent of flowers, and everyone was offering their blessings.

"So now," Augustus looked at Cynthia affectionately, "can I officially call you my wife?"

Cynthia gave him a playful push.

"I'm not used to it."

"Wife," Augustus repeated several times. "Wife, wife, wife."

"Are you used to it now?"

Augustus's voice was really pleasant, especially when he called her wife.

Cynthia's face flushed as she looked away, no longer resisting.

"Alright, Peter, turn on the lights. Let's eat." Beatrice stood up happily. "Don't let Cynthia go hungry."

The whole family sat around the dining table, happily enjoying dinner together.

After the meal, the brothers had work to attend to. After giving Cynthia their gifts, they left to catch their flights out of Rosewood City.

Randolph and Beatrice were also tactful—after a few words of advice, they returned to their room, leaving all the space to Augustus and Cynthia.

Augustus accompanied Cynthia back to the bedroom and gently closed the door, shutting out all sounds from outside.

Only a warm yellow bedside lamp was on in the room. The dim, hazy light made even their shadows on the floor seem especially intimate. The air carried a faint scent of roses mixed with the man's cool, masculine fragrance.

Earlier, they had to be mindful of the elders, but now, with just the two of them in the room, Augustus walked toward Cynthia step by step.

His gaze fell heavily on her.

After that grand proposal, the tenderness in Augustus's eyes now carried a hint of possessiveness. Under his stare, Cynthia's ears grew hot, and she instinctively stepped back half a step, her back lightly pressing against the nightstand.

"What are you doing?"

Augustus's tall figure enveloped Cynthia in shadow. He raised his hand, his fingertips gently caressing the ring he'd just placed on her finger, his movements slow and deliberate.

"Once it's on, it can't come off."

Augustus's voice was low and husky with a magnetic quality. His warm breath fell on Cynthia's neck, making her body tremble slightly.

Cynthia had never experienced this before. She was a bit nervous.

"Don't be nervous."

Augustus sensed Cynthia's emotions. He raised his hand and gently wrapped it around Cynthia's slender waist, leaning down until his forehead touched hers, their breaths mingling, even their heartbeats seeming to sync.

Augustus couldn't hold back any longer. His palm slipped under Cynthia's hem, the cool touch meeting Cynthia's warm body temperature. Cynthia couldn't help but tremble slightly, a shaky moan escaping her lips.

Augustus's body grew increasingly heated.

He became bolder, his large palm traveling up along her waist, just about to reach Cynthia's most sensitive area when—

In the quiet room, a jarring phone ringtone suddenly rang out.

Augustus closed his eyes, trying not to let the sound affect him. He kissed her dominantly, not allowing Cynthia in his arms to be distracted.

The ringtone stopped briefly for a few seconds, then quickly started again.

Cynthia couldn't stay focused anymore. She pushed against Augustus's shoulder, breaking free from his commanding kiss. "It might be something urgent."

Her face was still flushed, and she was breathing lightly as she spoke. "I need to answer it."

Though Augustus was unhappy, he didn't want to upset Cynthia, so he reluctantly released her.

"Hello."

Cynthia pressed the answer button. The voice on the other end sounded anxious.

"Cynthia, have you seen the news?"

Flora's voice was loud enough that even Augustus, standing beside Cynthia, could hear clearly.

"Someone posted photos of you at the Thalassia fighting arena!"

Cynthia's expression darkened. She hung up and quickly opened the news.

The top trending topic read: [Dignified socialite is actually twisted inside, watches real human-beast fights]

Clicking on it, there were videos of Cynthia that had been secretly filmed.

Photos of her entering the fighting arena dressed in black.

And photos of her standing with Brutus, where she was holding a gun.

Countless hateful comments instantly flooded Cynthia's social media.

"She looks so pretty, but she's actually this twisted inside! Thalassia is such a mess! Anyone who goes to a place like that can't be good!"

"Exactly! I've heard about those beast fighting matches—they put living people in cages to fight wild animals, and if they're not careful, the person gets torn apart by the beast!"

"That's so cruel. How could anyone enjoy watching people get torn to pieces!"

"Just thinking about it scares me!"

"My boyfriend used to live in Thalassia. He says the man standing next to Cynthia is named Brutus, the boss of the biggest local gang, Thunder Club! Anyone who crosses him gets tortured to death—his methods are extremely vicious and terrifying."

"Cynthia actually knows someone like that, and looking at the photos of them talking, she's even smiling. They must have a pretty good relationship!"

"Who would've thought the Lockhart family's real daughter would be this kind of person!"