A Scandalous Marriage Deal With Mr Manchester

　　~~Selene~~

　　The first thing I notice is the grim expressions on the faces of everyone. Apart from Grandpa Langston, no one is seated. My uncle and aunts stare at me with guilt clouding their faces as I walk into Grandfather's study. In a corner, my cousin is on her knees, whimpering.

　　"Have a seat, Selene," the old man instructs, gesturing at the antique couch in front of him.

　　I stay rooted to the spot, ignoring the uneasiness brewing in my stomach. "Did you call me here to explain your reason for kicking me out of my company?"

　　Two hours ago, I had arrived at Vaughn beauty just like every other morning, only to be denied entry by the guards. "It was a direct order from above, Miss Vaughn," they'd said. "We hope you understand."

　　An order from above. We all knew who 'above' meant.

　　Grandfather's jaw clenches in irritation. "It was never your company. I gave it to you to manage. I can take my back whenever I wish."

　　A bitter scoff escapes my lips. Grandfather had never liked me, but he was decent enough to let me manage a subsidiary of Vaughn Enterprises just like the rest of my cousins. Even though it was the least favorable subsidiary, I put my all into it and built one of the best beauty brands in Raven Heights. I didn't do all that just to get kicked out without a heads up.

　　"Sit down, Selene," Grandfather orders coldly, his harsh tone sending a chill down my spine.

　　"Why did you call me here?"

　　"You are a member of the Vaughn family. Do I need a reason to see you?"

　　The Vaughn family has never seen me as a member. This is the first time I have been allowed into my grandfather's study in sixteen years, so I'm not crazy for asking me why he sent for me.

　　I sink into the seat across him, throwing one leg over the other in deliberate poise. Grandfather drops a tablet on the table between us and gestures at a video playing on the screen.

　　It's a security footage, dark and grainy. In the video, a woman has her hand around a man's waist. Judging by the sway in his steps, he's clearly drunk, letting her drag and lead him into a room. Her face doesn't show, but something stands out in the video.

　　She's wearing the Vaughn family's brooch. One that only the granddaughters own.

　　My hands tighten around the strap of my bag. I drop it down on the table and look at my grandfather, exhaling slowly.

　　"That's not me."

　　He doesn't react. His eyes narrow, peeling at me over the rim of his glasses.

　　"That's not me," I say again, my voice trembling now. "I don't even wear that brooch anywhere."

　　"Do you know the man in the video?" He asks calmly. "He's the second son of the Manchester family. This video has been leaked, and now people are asking questions about why he went to a hotel with my granddaughter."

　　The Manchester family. The most influential family in Raven Heights. There has always been a silent rivalry between the Vaughn and the Manchesters, everyone knows that. This is a scandal that isn't likely to blow over anytime soon.

　　"I am not the person in the video." My voice rises. It seems like no matter how much I deny it, no one is listening. Grandfather leans back, interlocking his fingers.

　　"I know."

　　Oh! He does.

　　Of course he does. I glance at Vivienne in the corner. She bursts into ugly sobs, her frame racking with each cry.

　　"It was a mistake, I swear," she cries out. "We were both drunk. It was just one night. I didn't think the press would find out." Her voice breaks. "Please help me, Grandpa. I don't want to get married."

　　My brows furrow. Get married? What is she talking about?

　　"A staff of the hotel leaked that video," Grandfather explains. "Roman Manchester saw it, and he wants accountability."

　　Everything clicks. Vivienne had an affair with the son of the most influential man in Raven heights and got discovered by the press. I don't know much about Roman Manchester except for his obsession with perfection. He definitely wouldn't let this slide without demanding that it be fixed.

　　A wedding is his solution.

　　"How does this concern me?" I ask, my voice sharper than I intended. "I still don't understand why I was called here."

　　"You will marry Rain Manchester in Vivienne's place."

　　The room tilts as his declaration echoes in my ears. I stare at the old man, waiting for an indication that he's joking, that this is a prank. None comes.

　　"Let me get this straight, Vivienne has a one night stand and creates a scandal, but you want me to be her scapegoat?"

　　"Every member of this family has made a significant sacrifice, Selene." Grandfather's words are emotionless. "It's time for you to make yours."

　　"I won't marry Rain Manchester." The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.

　　His eyes harden. "I'm not giving you a choice, Selene."

　　My hands tremble. I gather them on my lap carefully, desperate to remain composed in front of him. How can a man treat his grandchildren so differently? The favorite grandchild makes a mess, and the unwanted one is expected to clean it up? He wants me to get married to a man I haven't met to protect her?

　　"I have a boyfriend." I look around the room, half expecting my uncle and aunts to join in the conversation, help me get out of this situation in any way they can, but I know it's useless. Aunt Olivia is Vivienne's mother. She would never want her daughter to marry a stranger. Uncle Victor and Aunt Astrid are no different. No one would want to go against grandfather.

　　Reality hits me hard. I have no cone to stand up for me.

　　"I have a boyfriend, Grandfather," I repeat. I love him." I think of Ethan, my boyfriend of eight years. If he finds out that I'm about to be married off to someone else, he'd never forgive me. I can't even bear to imagine the pain he'd feel—

　　"He'll understand, Selene," Grandfather's words break into my thoughts. He looks away from me, steeling his expression. "Vivienne is the first granddaughter of this family. You don't expect me to marry her off to a bastard. Fortunately, Rain Manchester doesn't know who the woman in the video is. You will make a fine substitute."

　　For a heartbeat, the world goes utterly silent except for the loud pounding in my ears. I scoff, dipping my head.

　　"So this is it," I whisper, my tone dripping with sarcasm "You don't want an illegitimate son for your precious Vivienne, but you think I deserve him."

　　It's no secret that Rain Manchester is illegitimate, barely acknowledged by his own father. In the eyes of everyone at Raven heights, he's worse than an adopted son. Vivienne has always wanted the best for herself. Getting married to someone like Rain would be beneath her.

　　I spring to my feet, hands clenched so tightly my nails start to dig into my palms. For years, I had endured being treated like garbage in this family. My cousins were given great opportunities while I managed the scraps they left behind.

　　Ethan was the only one that kept me sane. He didn't judge me, gave me the love my family didn't. If Grandfather thinks I will abandon Ethan just to be his princess's scapegoat, he's in for the biggest joke of the century.

　　"Let Vivienne carry her cross, grandfather. This conversation is over."

　　Vivienne crawls to me, her face coated with tears and mascara. "Please, Selene, do me this favour. We're talking about Rain Manchester here. That man will be discarded by his father anytime soon. I can't marry him."

　　"Then you shouldn't have gotten involved with him in the first place." I yell in exasperation. "You can't expect me to clean up your mess. Marriage isn't something to be taken lightly."

　　"I have never asked you for anything before, Selene," she cries out. "This is the first time, please… help me."

　　Grandfather slams his hand down on the table with a thunderous yell. "Enough!"

　　Silence returns to the room. He glares at me, his face twisted in disappointment and disdain.

　　"Selene, if you defy me, be prepared to lose everything."

　　A chill courses through me at his words. I get it now. This is why the guards stopped me from entering the company. He intends to use it as leverage over me.

　　"Your accounts will be frozen," he goes on. "You will be disinherited, Selene. You can do this the easy way. Make a choice."

　　"My mind is made up, Grandfather," I huff, defiant. "Do your worst."

　　Genuine surprise flashes across his face. He didn't expect me to be so stubborn. As much as I want to revel in that expression he's sporting, I need to leave. Being in this house suffocates me.

　　I walk to the door with clenched fists. Grandfather's words stop me just I grab the knob

　　"Think about your mother, Selene." His voice is calm now, but it still sends shivers rippling through me. "She hasn't seen the outside world for years. I'm willing to make a deal with you. Marry Rain Manchester, and I'll have her released."

　　Tears sting my eyelids. With shaky hands and wobbling knees, I open the door and storm out.

　　In the hallway, I pull out my phone and text Ethan.

　　>> Can we meet? Something terrible has happened.