Chapter 14: Bargains and Betrayals
997 Words
Chapter 14: Bargains and Betrayals
Yvonne’s cheeks turned crimson with delight the moment Lucas spoke. She had always believed she was the better match—more charming, more vibrant than Lorraine. And now, hearing those words from Lucas, she was certain this life would turn out differently. He would love her. Adore her. Just like he did with Lorraine in the past life—no, more.
Lorraine said nothing. She simply tilted her head slightly and gave a subtle, wounded pout, the picture of innocent confusion. If only Yvonne knew the truth.
Lucas Gu had never loved Lorraine in their past life.
In fact, the man had hidden his true love away—a childhood sweetheart he kept outside their engagement. By the time Lorraine discovered the affair, the woman was already pregnant. Lorraine had tried to break things off, but the Gu family had risen to power. Walking away then would’ve meant giving up everything she had secured.
So she had stayed.
On the surface, she and Lucas played the loving couple. Behind closed doors, they barely exchanged words. Even Lucas’s mother knew about the affair and helped hide it. Lorraine had spent years tangled in their web of lies.
“Wait a moment!” Vivian suddenly spoke up, her voice laced with panic. “Yvonne’s just joking. She doesn’t mean any of it.”
Alexander quickly chimed in, “She’s been moody lately, saying all kinds of nonsense. Please don’t take it seriously.”
But Mrs. Gu wasn’t so easily fooled.
She narrowed her eyes. “A young woman wouldn’t joke about something like marriage. If she’s bold enough to confess in front of us all, I don’t see why we shouldn’t take her seriously.”
Yvonne seized the chance. “I wasn’t joking. I meant every word.”
“Shut up!” Alexander snapped, pointing a trembling finger at his daughter.
Vivian grabbed Yvonne’s arm tightly. “Have you lost your mind?”
Mrs. Gu didn’t back down. “Forgive me, Mrs. Shen, but I don’t understand your objection. Is it that you think my son isn’t worthy of your daughter?”
Her voice broke slightly, eyes misting. “My late husband would turn in his grave if he knew how low our family has fallen—so low that an honest proposal is met with such humiliation.”
Tears spilled freely down her cheeks. Theatrics? Perhaps. But effective.
Lucas stepped forward, playing his part to perfection. “The fault is mine,” he said solemnly. “I should never have presumed. Clearly, Yvonne and I are not fated. Let’s forget today ever happened.”
He turned as if to leave.
“No!” Yvonne rushed forward. “Dad, Mom, I love Lucas. I want to marry him! Why won’t you let me?”
She looked as if her heart had been ripped from her chest. Anyone watching would think her a tragic heroine being denied her one chance at true love.
Alexander and Vivian were speechless.
Yvonne’s outburst wasn’t just childish—she was now publicly challenging their authority. Worse still, she was making it seem like they were standing in the way of true love. A few more moments of this, and they’d look like villains.
And that was when Alexander suddenly went quiet.
His expression turned cold. Calculating.
“You want to marry into the Gu family?” he asked slowly. “Then fine. Go ahead.”
Everyone froze.
Even Yvonne didn’t expect him to relent so easily.
Her eyes widened. “Really? You mean it?”
Alexander nodded, a tight, humorless smile on his face. “Yes. Go marry him.”
Yvonne’s face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. “Thank you, Dad!”
But Lorraine caught the look in Alexander’s eyes. There was no joy there—only bitter resignation.
In that moment, she realized: he was giving up on Yvonne.
Despite being his biological daughter, his patience had limits. And Yvonne had finally pushed him past the edge.
Lorraine’s smile didn’t falter, but her heart burned with quiet fury. In her past life, after discovering Lucas’s infidelity, she had run to Alexander, hoping he would defend her. He hadn’t.
He’d told her: If you can’t win his heart, then at least keep the title. That’s all that matters.
To him, she wasn’t a niece. She was a bargaining chip—interchangeable with his own daughter if it helped the family.
Vivian’s motives had always been different. She had truly believed that marrying Yvonne into the Song family would elevate her status, protect her daughter. But Alexander? He didn’t care which girl married which man.
As long as they were both named Shen.
Yvonne was impulsive. Lorraine was obedient. Alexander knew which daughter would be easier to control. That was why he made his decision so quickly.
Vivian knew it, too.
Which was why, at that exact moment, she swayed where she stood—and collapsed in a dramatic faint.
“Mom!” Lorraine cried, catching her just in time.
“Call an ambulance,” Alexander said flatly. “Take her to the hospital.”
“She’ll be okay, right?” Yvonne asked, but her voice lacked conviction.
Even now, she couldn’t stop glancing back at Lucas.
Alexander ignored her. His eyes were locked on Lorraine. They both knew this wasn’t about illness—it was strategy. Vivian wanted to buy time, to undo the damage, to talk Yvonne out of her reckless choice.
But Alexander had made his move.
Yvonne looked back and forth between her father and Lucas. “Dad, you promised. You can’t go back on your word.”
Mrs. Gu stepped forward, clasping Yvonne’s hand as if sealing the deal. “Now that we’ve come this far, let’s formalize the arrangement. The sooner, the better.”
No one noticed Vivian’s eyes flutter open for the briefest second—just long enough to see everything fall apart.
Then she slumped fully into unconsciousness again.
- Writer
