I'm Your Stepping Stone but His Gem

"Ms. Kingston…"

Tahlia, shoving her pain down, continued to put on her kind-and-understanding act as she said, "I know you love Mr. Leight, and the feelings between you two run deep. It's not something you can break off just because you say you want to."

Their gazes all fell on me, with Michael even looking a little smug. He assumed I would still obsessively cling to him like before.

I walked up to Tahlia and, with a voice that only the two of us could hear, said, "I heard everything you two said in the pantry. If Grandpa found out that his carefully mentored grandson-in-law-to-be has been fooling around with the family's chef, do you think he'd still allow you to stay in our home?"

Shooting Michael a cold glare, I said louder, "Keep a closer eye on her. Don't let her roam around and be an eyesore."

Michael leaped to his feet. "Ariel! Don't go too far! What did Tally ever do to you?"

Tahlia tugged on his sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears as she continued to look pitiful.

"Surely you're not feeling bitter about us wanting to give Serene Grove to Tally as a birthday present?" Jeremy taunted.

Howard chimed in, "Serene Grove may be the Kingstons' ancestral home, but it's been left empty for so many years. Tally doesn't have parents, so what's wrong with giving it to her so she has a place to live? You're so rich, and you have everything, so why be so stingy?"

I glared at Howard. "Serene Grove?"

That was my mother's favorite villa when she was still alive. It contained a garden that bloomed throughout all four seasons—one that she had personally grown and tended to.

Grandpa had promised that he'd give it to me as a wedding gift. And yet, they dared to set their sights on it?

Michael insisted, "That villa is empty anyway, and Tally likes her peace and quiet. She's just borrowing it from you—it's not like you won't get it back."

A scoff of disbelief escaped me. He was but a stray our family picked up, and yet he was brazenly coveting our property.

"Serene Grove was my mother's heart. Let's see which of you dares to touch it!"

Michael faltered at my glare, taking a step back.

Tahlia hid behind him as she sobbed quietly. "Mikey, I didn't know how important that villa was to Ms. Kingston—"

"Enough!" I snapped, cutting off her act.

Michael hurried to explain, "Ariel, it was just a suggestion. If you don't want to give it to her, then don't. Why yell at Tally?"

"Suggestion? Do you think my grandfather is an idiot? Or do you think I am?" I scoffed coldly.

Just as I turned to leave, I heard Tahlia comforting Michael. "Don't be mad, Mikey…"

Michael replied coldly. "Don't worry. Even without Ariel, I can still get what I want."

His words made my steps falter. Had they long been viewing the Kingston family as their prey?

…

At the engagement banquet, the guests all looked at me enviously as three excellent potential husbands stood next to me.

"Michael graduated at the top of his class from one of the country's most elite universities. Ms. Kingston is truly lucky."

"They're both talented and good-looking. The Kingstons have someone to carry on their legacy now."

But what no one knew was how much help I had secretly given for this alleged top graduate. I had been the one who had stayed up the whole night editing Michael's thesis for him.

I had believed my efforts would eventually win him over. How naive of me.

Halfway through the banquet, Howard suddenly stood up, a look of righteous anger on his face.

"Ariel! Where did you lock Tahlia up?"

The room erupted into chaos as the guests all exchanged looks.

I froze. What were they up to now?

Jeremy immediately backed him up. "Tally's been missing for three days. We have proof that you've been holding her captive!"