Titus could see that he was achieving nothing too and got into his car.
Before he left, he wound down his window and said quietly, “Vicky, it’s all up to you—whether you’re choosing my family’s protection, or to let the South Sea Crow wipe out your family. I won’t tell you what to do.
“Make up your mind in three days—during your family’s annual dinner, an envoy from my family will send for you. If you refuse, consider the alliance between our families severed… at that point, you can really do whatever you like.”
With that, he reclined against his seat as he told his chauffeur to drive away.
Vicky was left standing there, scowling.
She was not stupid—if anything, she was quite smart. One did not become the most famous independent woman in Riverton by being a simpleton.
In fact, she had already spotted Titus as soon as she saw Frank.
That was why she instantly made up her mind to greet Frank so intimately while giving Titus the cold shoulder. It was her way of telling Titus that she would not marry him—that she hoped that he gave up.
Regrettably, Titus simply made it clear that the choice was out of his hands, insisting that it was an agreement between both families.
Naturally, he was also pointing out that Vicky should be going along with it.
In other words, the indirect confrontation between them came to a stalemate.
Vicky sighed—things were worse than she thought.
While Frank would not refuse if she gave up on everything and ran away with him, her family would be abandoned by the Lionhearts.
The consequences were naturally unimaginable, as it was the perfect opportunity for the South Sea Crow to wipe out the Turnbull family. If anything, she would be fine if it was just the main family in Morhen—but the South Sea Crow vowed to wipe out everyone, meaning that Vicky’s parents would not be getting away even if they stayed in Riverton.
At worst, she would get Frank caught in her mess.
It was exactly what she did not want to see—the more she loved him, the less she wanted to see him being in danger.
After a long silence, Vicky sighed and spoke despite the agony in her heart. “Darling… I think this is it for us.”
Frank felt stung by her seriousness. “Why? You just said—”
“Yeah, that’s what I said,” Vicky flashed a pained smile even as she caressed his face. “But without the Lionhearts’ protection, my family won’t survive. Eventually, you, and even Helen and Winter will get caught in my mess. And I really don’t want Helen mocking me.”
She had her pride too!
Nonetheless, Frank frowned. “That’s the only reason you’re marrying Titus Lionheart?”
“Yes.” Vicky nodded. “I hope you’ll understand—my heart will always be yours, but I have to do this for you and my family.”
Suddenly, she giggled, “Of course, that’s not to say that I won’t cheat.”
Frank was left speechless by Vicky’s signature dark jokes, while Madam Zims was wiping the sweat off her brow.
This heiress really had the gall to joke like that?!
If she cheated and got caught… Madam Zims could not imagine how things would end well for her!
