Jean Grant shot him a protective glare. "Brother, I won't let you talk about Marlon. If you tell Mom, I'll kill myself, and I mean it."
Quentin Grant said no more, letting out a sigh. "I'll wait for you to tell them yourself. This is your decision to make."
Left alone in the spacious living room, Jean Grant felt herself growing more and more agitated as she thought about it.
She and Marlon Marshall had been in a secret relationship for a year. Marlon came from a poor family, but she didn't mind at all. Every day she spent with him was pure happiness. She had been abroad studying for two months, and since she'd been back, they hadn't been able to see each other despite several phone calls. Jean Grant decided she absolutely had to see him tomorrow.
She felt that she and Marlon were truly in love. Even though her brother already knew, the time wasn't right yet. For now, she had no intention of telling Mr. and Mrs. Paige.
The morning was bright and clear. Sunlight spilled across the land, and the autumn air was thick with humid warmth.
Sharon Ainsworth was up bright and early. She looked vibrant today, a far cry from how she had been the previous night.
Leon Lynch had arrived early as well. He was dressed in a sky-blue suit with a single rose pinned to his chest, looking impossibly flashy.
Nora Ainsworth looked terrible. Even makeup couldn't conceal her exhaustion.
She trudged downstairs listlessly to wait in the courtyard for Quentin Grant to pick Sharon up, hoping to catch a ride with them.
After waiting for more than ten minutes, the butler finally came over to announce, "Young Master Grant is here."
Nora Ainsworth looked toward the entrance. Bathed in the morning light, she watched the man walk in, and her expression froze.
Their eyes met, and a ripple disturbed the calm surface. He was smiling at her, but she seemed startled, her entire body going rigid.
It wasn't just her; Sharon Ainsworth was dumbstruck as well. Calling Quentin Grant handsome was an understatement. A single glance was enough to make you feel like time was flowing backward.
Leon Lynch narrowed his eyes, anger flaring at their corners. He threw an arm around Nora Ainsworth's shoulders and forcibly turned her face toward him. "You should be looking at me. I'm just as handsome as he is."
Nora Ainsworth was mortified. She shot Leon Lynch a glance but said nothing.
Mrs. Ainsworth cleared her throat. "Let's head to the bridal shop."
The four of them got into the car.
Quentin Grant drove, with Sharon Ainsworth naturally taking the passenger seat.
Nora Ainsworth sat behind Sharon, with Leon Lynch beside her.
The car moved smoothly down the road. Nora Ainsworth's gaze drifted forward unconsciously, and she saw a pair of eyes in the rearview mirror. They were looking at her.
Startled, Nora Ainsworth quickly looked away.
The wedding photoshoot was scheduled at Angel Bride Photography. The car pulled up to the main entrance right on time.
The manager personally opened the car door, beaming. "Welcome, Young Master Grant. Thank you for choosing our studio. We will be sure to create a luxurious, top-tier photography experience for you and your fiancée."
Quentin Grant stepped out of the car, that charming smile once again on his face. Nora Ainsworth watched him, wondering, 'How much of that smile is actually real?'
He naturally took Sharon Ainsworth's hand, their fingers lacing together tightly. Nora heard a CLICK. She turned and saw members of the media, who for the first time were daring enough to follow them and take photos. It was an incredibly bold move.
Quentin Grant remained completely unfazed. He showed no intention of stopping them. It seemed as if he wanted the exposure.
Following suit, Leon Lynch took Nora Ainsworth's hand. His was cold, and she could feel a chill that seemed to radiate from his very bones. She desperately wanted to pull her hand away, but she knew she absolutely couldn't right now. With the media taking pictures, pulling her hand away would be a public slap in Leon Lynch's face.