Chapter 9 High And Mighty
- The Salisburys' expressions darkened upon hearing Elizabeth's response.
- However, now that things had turned out this way, even the ugliest of words could not change anything.
- With that, Zachariah and Elizabeth left the hotel fuming.
- “Duncan,” Jacob summoned, his voice glacial.
- “Yes, Dad?”
- “I don't care how you do it; bring me the rascal, dead or alive.”
- With that parting sentence, Jacob turned and left.
- An hour later, Denver stumbled out of the presidential suite of a seven-star hotel, his clothes disheveled.
- The celebrity that had been with him had already disappeared, probably out of fear of the paparazzi.
- “Denver, you're in a lot of trouble.”
- Duncan gazed at his younger brother, worry seeping through his eyes.
- The Salisbury family had two sons and a daughter. Duncan was the eldest child and the prime example of a dutiful son. He always followed his father's footsteps, and as a result, his deference earned him his current position as the vice president at the company.
- Jacob had met his wife at university. Penelope lived overseas before meeting Jacob, but she followed him back to his home country after getting married and birthed him a daughter.
- Denver, however, had been a difficult one since young. He was the epitome of a rich, spoiled brat.
- His notoriety began in school, where he committed horrendous acts such as harassing the female teachers.
- Jacob had assumed that Denver would settle down once he got married, but the plan had backfired terribly.
- Denver was a cunning one. There was no way that a lover's lousy ploy would get the best of him.
- It was evident that he had orchestrated everything out of displeasure for the wife candidate his family had picked for him.
- As if humiliating the Salisbury and Hoult families was not bad enough, the situation escalated drastically after the Rivieres got involved.
- Unruffled, Denver scoffed and brushed off his brother's warning. “Duncan, do you even know me? I've wreaked havoc everywhere I went since the day I was born. This time is no different.”
- “And yet you don't seem to learn. Just wait and see how Dad will punish you. Can't you just behave for once? Why did you have to go and ruin this wedding? You left Seraphina standing at the altar. Do you know how mortifying that is for a young lady? You really screwed her up.”
- “Oh, please. I read the news too. That woman is not as simple as you think. I heard she found a stand-in groom to save face. And not just any man, but Lucien Riviere, am I right?”
- “I can't believe you have the audacity to blame Seraphina when you're the cause of everything!” Duncan was weary of his brother's antics. Lucien would never be involved if it weren't for your recklessness!
- The Salisbury family was still in the dark about Lucien and Seraphina's future plans.
- After all, the newlywed couple had only discussed it in private and had yet to announce it to the public.
- The Salisburys would be in for a huge surprise when the news dropped.
- “Well, they should thank me for bringing them together. My interest is piqued, though. Lucien kissed my bride and swore an oath in front of such an enormous audience. How is he going to clean up this mess?” Denver snickered.
- He had always disliked Lucien, and the reason for it was simple.
- Denver's parents had always compared him to Lucien, but he fell short of their expectations each time. Hence, by association, he felt irked by even the mention of Lucien.
- After learning that Lucien was left with the mess he created, Denver was excited to watch his rival struggle. He wondered how Lucien would get himself out of the shambles.
- “Lucien just loves being high and mighty, doesn't he? I'd love to see how he'll climb up from the pits this time,” Denver mused.