Chapter 4: Roll

"I've introduced myself before, haven't I? That's fine, I don't mind doing it again. Just make sure you remember it this time."

Nathaniel's expression turned serious. He held up one finger, his voice heavy. "Listen up. My name is Nathaniel. I'm Leah's boyfriend. I'm here today to settle this the right way."

Theo's face darkened. He looked Nathaniel over twice, his eyes carrying a hint of wariness.

He couldn't quite figure it out — was this Nathaniel just putting on a show to intimidate him, or did he actually have something to back it up?

This was Calvino family territory, after all. Coming here to start trouble? Did this guy have a death wish?

"Nathaniel?"

It was the first time Theo had said his name out loud, and he said it with open contempt. "Who sent you? The Adams family?"

His smile grew more mocking. "The Adams family sent a idiot like you to handle this? You really think you can fix this?"

The Adams family had handed Leah over precisely because they couldn't afford to cross the Calvino family.

Nathaniel showing up made Theo point the finger straight at the Adams family.

Because in Theo's mind, nobody without serious backing would ever have the nerve to walk onto his turf acting this bold.

Cameron, standing behind Nathaniel and Leah, caught those words and quickly stepped forward with an apologetic smile.

"No, no, no, Mr. Calvino, there's been a misunderstanding. This idiot has nothing to do with the Adams family. You've always known where we stand. Our loyalty has never been in question."

But both Theo and Nathaniel ignored him completely.

Nathaniel kept his eyes locked on Theo and pressed for an answer. "Just tell me — was I right? Is this fraud or not?"

Theo's expression kept shifting.

He would never admit to fraud. Because the moment he did, the debt would shrink instantly — from twelve million dollars down to four million, a two-thirds cut.

That would put the Adams family back in a position to repay it themselves, and they'd have no reason to marry Leah off to him.

After a brief pause, Theo let out a cold, ugly laugh.

He stepped forward, squared his shoulders, and drew himself up as tall as he could, trying to look bigger and more imposing than Nathaniel — hoping that alone would be enough to rattle him.

"Does it even matter whether it is or it isn't? I'll say it plainly — I want Leah. I want to sleep with her. You got a problem with that?"

He jabbed a finger hard into Nathaniel's chest, his voice dripping with threat. "You. Want to do something about it?"

Then he turned and paced back and forth, his eyes crawling over Leah the whole time.

"Since we're being honest, let me spell it out. Leah, I want to marry you. Yes or no? You can say no — but don't blame me for what happens to the Adams family after that. Think about your father. Think about your family. Now give me your answer."

Leah's jaw was clenched tight, her eyes blazing with fury.

But she was trapped. She couldn't bring herself to answer.

Her father had sacrificed her for the sake of the family. But she couldn't let her family and the people she loved die because of her.

Her silence was all Theo needed.

No clear refusal meant yes.

Theo laughed out loud, satisfied, and turned to Cameron and the others. "And you?"

Cameron had no intention of saying no to Theo.

He plastered on a smile and moved to Theo's side, eager to please.

"Of course we have no objections. It would be Ms. Adams' good fortune to marry you — and the Adams family's as well. We're fully in favor."

Watching Cameron grovel like that made Leah's blood boil.

"Cameron, you—"

"Ms. Adams, get a grip."

Cameron turned around and lectured her instead. "What's wrong with marrying Mr. Calvino? Shouldn't you feel lucky that he's even interested in you? You should say yes right now while he still is. Wait too long and he loses interest — and by then, even if you beg to marry him, he might not take you."

"Shut your mouth!"

Leah was shaking with rage. She couldn't believe Cameron had just said that to her.

Then, from beside her, Nathaniel suddenly burst out laughing.

"Now that's something. That is really something."

Cameron and Theo both turned to look at him, their expressions shifting.

"What the hell are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing because every single person from the Adams family is a coward. Even a woman has more of a backbone than any of you."

"You don't know a damn thing."

Cameron lashed out at Nathaniel. He'd already started digging into Nathaniel's background.

With the Adams family's resources, they could pull up a full profile on pretty much anyone with even a modest standing in society.

By now, no matter how well Nathaniel had covered his tracks, something should have turned up.

But nothing had.

From the very start, every field in Nathaniel's personal file was blank. No matter how deep the Adams family dug, they kept hitting a wall.

So Cameron had made up his mind — Nathaniel was a nobody. That's why there was nothing to find.

He had to be an actor Leah had hired.

Which meant there was absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

"Do you have any idea what the Calvino family is? They're on a level that a bottom-feeder like you could never touch in your entire life. Going up against Mr. Calvino is basically asking to die. Is it really worth throwing your life away over a few hundred bucks? So I'm telling you — walk away now, before Mr. Calvino loses his patience. Because once he does, you won't even get the chance to beg."

"A few hundred bucks?" Theo's brow went up. "What are you talking about?"

Cameron smiled and explained. "Mr. Calvino, haven't you figured it out? This Nathaniel — he's an actor Ms. Adams hired. He's not actually her boyfriend."

Theo's face opened with sudden understanding, and a deeply interested smile spread across it. His gaze settled on Leah. "Is that right. So Leah, no man has ever touched you. I like that very much."

Cameron laughed along. "As long as you're happy, Mr. Calvino."

He seemed even more eager than Theo. "In that case, Mr. Calvino, why not make it official today? Get the wedding done right now."

"Absolutely. Let's do it." Theo laughed and reached over to take Leah's hand without hesitation. "Come on, Leah. Let's get this moving."

"Get your hands off me."