Chapter 6 Her Charm

• Harper’s POV
• Our house was still some distance from the party venue. I wanted to sit comfortably, but the person beside me made me feel stiff and uneasy.
• I kept my breathing shallow, afraid he might talk to me or do something.
• The atmosphere was tense, but just then, the driver slammed the brakes suddenly, and I lunged forward from the momentum. A hand grabbed me from behind, pulling me back into his chest.
• “My apologies, a cat just ran across the road,” the driver turned back and apologized to us.
• I quickly sat up, straightening my messy hair and putting distance between us. “It’s alright, just be careful.”
• Unlucky. The very thing I dreaded came true.
• I pressed myself against the car door, holding onto the handle, not wanting to look in his direction at all.
• After we had driven for a while, my phone in my purse vibrated. It was a message from Matthew.
• “Dear princess, you haven’t messaged me all day. Do you have some time today? I recently discovered a nice restaurant that I think you’d love.”
• Seeing his message brightened my bad mood a little.
• However, from the moment I opened my phone, I could feel the gaze of the person next to me fixated on me, making me incredibly uncomfortable.
• Given the situation, I didn’t bother explaining to Matthew what I was up to today, so I just quickly replied.
• “I’m busy today, see you at school on Monday.”
• After typing that, I put my phone away, and the gaze beside me finally shifted.
• The car ride felt endless, but eventually, we arrived. Our vehicle rolled into a large estate, and a few attendants helped us open the car doors.
• My mom took my hand, and I looked around—there wasn’t a single familiar face. All I saw were the social elites I’d only ever seen on TV.
• A lady in a champagne-colored gown spotted us and came over. She greeted my mom with a kiss on the cheek and then turned to look at me.
• Her eyes showed amazement. “Dear, you look stunning. I’ve told your mother many times that I hoped she’d bring you to visit. Now I understand why she hasn’t. A girl as beautiful as you would attract a crowd of young men wherever you went.”
• It was the first time I had been complimented so directly, and I felt my face heat up. “Thank you, ma’am. You’re very elegant.”
• She smiled at me, exchanged a few more words with my mom, and then moved on with the others.
• “She’s a French noblewoman, with a hereditary title,” my mom whispered to me.
• So she was a duchess—impressive.
• I looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, torn between feeling out of place and a touch of excitement.
• I could feel several strange gazes on my back. Confused, I turned around and found a few young men staring at me in a daze.
• I wasn’t sure how to respond to them. Out of politeness, I raised my glass to them from afar and then followed my mom further inside.
• Of course, I didn’t hear what they were saying about me. But seeing how everyone turned to look, I figured my look today was a success.
• Except for the killjoy Marco—he was the only one who thought this dress didn’t suit me. I had originally thought I wouldn’t have to be near him at this event, but my mom brought me to my father’s side. Marco stood right beside him, and I realized just how much taller he was than his father.
• Being younger, his body had more of a commanding presence, like a young panther in the jungle. I realized I was studying him and quickly looked away.
• When Dad saw Mom bringing me over, he turned and introduced me to some of the people around us.
• They were the ones at the top of the pyramid. Their expressions were perfect, without any cracks, and their smiles seemed rehearsed.
• I couldn’t read their intentions, so I just kept a polite smile.
• Under my father’s introduction, I greeted each of them. When that exhausting social formality was over, I saw Marco standing with a few other young men.
• I forced a smile and looked away, deciding not to pay him any more attention.
• Marco’s POV
• The moment I stepped into this damned place, I realized just how enticing she looked tonight.
• Maybe it was because she always dressed simply at home, but when she wore that sultry dress, I could hardly take my eyes off her exposed skin.
• I had deliberately said the dress didn’t suit her, hoping she’d change into something else, anything that would avoid drawing the attention of more men. It turned out I was right, as almost every young man here had their eyes on her.
• Damn it!
• Yet she seemed oblivious to it all. Did she enjoy the attention of these men?
• David chuckled beside me, “Is that your sister? I didn’t get a clear look at her last time. I didn’t expect her to be so beautiful.”
• I gave him a sharp glance. David immediately shut his mouth.
• Everyone around us fell silent, too scared to talk about anything related to Harper.
• Since this was a business-oriented banquet, there weren’t many games or entertainment, and we left fairly soon.
• After we returned home, my father called me into his study.
• “Marco, you should be familiar with the North American situation by now.”
• My father sat at his desk, looking at me.
• “Yes.”
• “What are your thoughts?”
• “You spent a lot of time talking to Jake Conti today, so I assume you want to ally with their family. That way, we could expand our control over North America more quickly.”
• “You’re right, Marco. You’re my son, and I know you have issues with your stepmother and sister. If you truly can’t get along with Harper, there’s a way out now. Today, Jack Conti mentioned that his son Angelo will soon take over from him. Angelo seemed very taken with Harper after meeting her tonight. He proposed marriage…”
• “Father, we don’t need to use women to secure power for our family.”
• I interrupted him.
• “You know, I’ve never thought of Harper as a tool. If it weren’t for your disapproval, I wouldn’t be considering her marriage this soon. I just think Harper and Angelo are both young. They could get to know each other and build a relationship. If they fall in love, that would be a good thing. What do you think?”
• I quietly let out a sigh of relief.
• “Father,” the scene of Harper kissing that damn boy flashed through my mind again.
• “Harper has a boyfriend. I don’t want to cooperate with the Conti family. They betrayed us before—let’s not forget that debt. We don’t want peaceful coexistence; we want dominance.”
• There was heat in my voice, and my father looked at me in surprise.
• “I didn’t know Harper had a boyfriend. In that case, let’s drop the matter. I didn’t expect you to remember what happened twenty years ago. But you’re right, even if we allied with the Contis, eventually we’d need to determine who’s in charge. Marco, I hope you’ll dominate the North American mafia and become a true king.”
• “I will, Father.”
• I left the study. As I passed the rooms on the second floor, I paused, hearing her excited chatter inside.
• I turned away and went to the balcony, lighting a cigarette.