The Hidden Queen

Marcus's face paled.

He clearly hadn't expected me to be this firm, and for a moment, he was unsure how to proceed.

The guests were here, and the press had been tipped off. Canceling the wedding now would be a real slap in the face to the family.

"Mr. Marcus, if Miss Aria is set on this, why force her hand?"

"Someone of your standing deserves a better woman," she continued. "Perhaps… the daughter of the Saranto family, Miss Isabella."

Saranto?

I narrowed my eyes.

The family that ran the show in European trade?

"The Saranto family?" Hearing that, Marcus perked up, his interest piqued.

"That's right," Victoria smiled. "Miss Isabella is twenty-two, a graduate of Columbia Business School, fluent in five languages. More importantly, the Saranto family's trade network in Europe is precisely what the Castillo family needs right now."

Marcus's eyes lit up.

Watching this, I suddenly understood.

"Marrying into the Vincent family gets you nothing but a pretty doll," Victoria continued. "But marrying into the Saranto family is a real power play. Don Castillo will be proud of your choice."

"Miss Isabella…," Marcus mused for a moment. "Is she willing?"

"Of course!" Victoria's smile widened. "In fact, Miss Isabella is already here. She heard about today's wedding and flew in from Europe to offer her congratulations. If you agree, she can meet you anytime."

Already here?

I let out a cold laugh.

What a setup.

This whole "marriage contract" wasn't Marcus's idea at all; it was Victoria's plan.

Her goal was clear: to break off my engagement to Marcus, then arrange a marriage between the Castillo and Saranto families.

And Marcus, for someone who had made it to Underboss, was being played like a fiddle without even realizing it.

Or perhaps this was what he wanted.

I let out another cold laugh.

"Hold on," I interjected into their conversation.

They both looked at me.

"Since the engagement is off, then forget it," I said to Marcus. "But switching brides at the last minute isn't exactly classy. Don Castillo probably won't appreciate that kind of move."

"It's none of your business," Marcus said coldly. "You're no longer part of the Castillo family."

"It's true, it's none of my business," I turned to Victoria. "But I am curious, whose idea was that contract I saw earlier?"

Victoria's smile faltered.

"It was Mr. Marcus's idea, of course," she answered quickly. "Miss Aria, you didn't think—"

"What did I think?" I cut her off, ignoring her rapidly changing expression, and turned back to Marcus.

"I'm curious, did you actually read that agreement?"

Marcus waved his hand impatiently. "Signing that contract for you was me doing you a favor. What, you were the one who didn't want it, and now you're changing your mind and want to be my bride again?"

I frowned. The heir to the Castillo family was this dim.

I'll have to tell Grandpa when I get back to do less business with them.

Victoria, hearing this, gave a smug smile and turned to Marcus, saying respectfully, "The wedding still needs to happen. Since Miss Aria doesn't want this position, why not give it to someone else?"

The next second, the lounge door opened.

A young woman in a champagne-colored dress walked in.

She was beautiful, no doubt. Blonde hair, blue eyes, her features as perfect as a doll's.

The woman gave a graceful bow. "Mr. Marcus, I've heard so much about you."

Marcus looked at her, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"Mr. Castillo," Isabella said again. "I know today's events are a bit sudden. But please believe, the Saranto family is sincere. Our trade network in Europe can help the Castillo family break into the international market. The Vincent family could never offer you that."

She wasn't wrong.

The Vincent family might have a foothold in New York, but compared to the Saranto family, they were a level below.

Marcus swallowed.

I could tell he was hooked.

"So, Mr. Castillo," Isabella extended her hand. "Will you have me?"