Sparks And Spills

Chapter Five: Proposal and Power Play

Elena stormed out of the Parker villa, her laughter sharp and defiant as she clutched her purse, leaving her stepmother’s stunned expression behind. She had accepted the marriage proposal without a second thought, her heart fueled by spite. The chance to upend her family’s schemes was too delicious to resist.

Inside the grand dining room of the Parker mansion, Elena shrugged off her coat, handing it to the maid. Her half-siblings, Pete and Kate, sat at the polished table, their gazes dripping with venom. Susan, the sister whose engagement was being celebrated, was absent, likely upstairs piling on makeup that would render her a garish caricature. Elena took her seat without a word, ignoring the hostile stares.

Janet, her stepmother, hissed, “This is why you’ll never find a decent man like Susan’s fiancé. No one wants a woman with your attitude.”

Elena’s lips curved into a mocking smile. “I’m sure if Susan’s so-called fiancé knew her, he’d run for the hills.”

Janet’s face flushed with rage, her chair scraping as she rose, but Noah Parker’s voice cut through the tension. “Enough, both of you. Don’t ruin this day.”

Before Elena could retort, Susan descended the staircase, her eyes narrowing as they landed on her stepsister. “What’s she doing here?” she sneered, jabbing a manicured finger at Elena.

Elena opened her mouth to snap back, but the butler’s voice interrupted. “The Garcia family has arrived.”

Old Mr. Henry Garcia entered, his presence commanding despite his age, followed by none other than Seth Garcia—the man Elena had clashed with earlier that day at Garcias Tech. Their eyes locked, shock flickering across both their faces. Seth’s piercing blue gaze held hers, a mix of surprise and something deeper, while Elena’s heart stuttered, caught off guard by his presence.

Greetings were exchanged, and Susan, the bride-to-be, was introduced with a grin so wide she looked like a child at her first amusement park. But Seth’s attention remained on Elena, his stare unrelenting. Susan, sensing the shift, broke the moment with a forced smile. “This is my stepsister, Elena,” she said, emphasizing the word with venom.

Susan plopped down beside Seth, her proximity deliberate, her demeanor all too familiar to him—another woman eager to throw herself at his wealth and status. Seth’s jaw tightened. He despised women like her, who spent their family’s money without contributing a shred of value. Her cloying presence grated on him, a stark contrast to Elena’s fiery independence.

Dinner passed in strained civility, and Henry raised his glass for a toast. “To the new couple and the future of our families’ business alliance.”

The words were barely out when Seth’s voice cut through, sharp and resolute. “I’m sorry, but I can’t go through with this wedding.”

A collective gasp filled the room. Janet shot to her feet. “Mr. Garcia, please—”

Seth raised a hand, silencing her. “If I must marry into this family, I’ll choose who.” His grandfather’s eyes narrowed, but a spark of intrigue replaced his anger as Seth continued. “It doesn’t have to be your daughter, Mrs. Parker.”

The room fell deathly silent. Seth stepped toward Elena, his voice steady. “I choose Miss Parker.”

Janet collapsed into her chair, her face a mask of shock. Henry, recovering quickly, studied Elena. “Aren’t you the one who pitched the contract today?”

“Yes, sir,” Elena replied, her tone calm but her pulse racing.

Henry turned to Noah, who smiled thinly. “We’re all Parkers. Elena’s my eldest daughter—a fine match.”

Susan rushed to Elena’s side, tears brimming, her voice trembling with rage. “You wouldn’t dare, Elena. You wouldn’t.”

Elena sipped her red wine, her legs crossed elegantly, a smirk playing on her lips. “Why not?”

The words struck like a thunderstorm. Janet surged forward, her voice shrill. “You can’t steal your sister’s fiancé!”

“Steal?” Elena laughed, swirling her wine. “They weren’t engaged, were they? He chose me. Explain how that’s stealing.”

Seth’s lips twitched, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “It’s settled, then. Elena and I will marry next week.”

Susan’s eyes rolled back, and she fainted, crumpling to the floor.

Janet, apoplectic, turned to Henry. “Talk to your grandson! He can’t break an engagement like this!”

Henry’s response was calm, almost gleeful. “He hasn’t broken anything. The engagement was between our families, not specific to your daughter. Elena’s a Parker—and the eldest. It’s a better match.”

Elena’s heart pounded, not from love but from the thrill of victory. Accepting Seth’s proposal was a calculated move, a way to wound Susan and infuriate Janet. She savored their shock, her smile sharp as she raised her glass, relishing the chaos she’d unleashed.