Seizing the moment, I cried out, “Grandpa Collins!”
I broke free from the bodyguards and ran to him, tears streaming down my face.
“They’re forcing me to marry a dog.”
Robert Collins’ expression darkened.
He glanced at the black dog tied on the stage, then at Eric Collins, still in casual clothes, and slammed his cane angrily against the floor. “Nonsense!”
Eric faltered, guilt flickering in his eyes.
He looked toward his mother.
Margaret Collins stepped forward nervously. “Father… here’s what happened.”
“Before the ceremony, Lily used Tarot cards to read Eric’s fortune.”
“She said if Eric went through with the wedding, he’d attract misfortune.”
“I thought in such matters, it’s better to be safe than sorry. After all, Eric is the heir of the Collins family. If anything happened to him, the consequences would be too great.”
Robert’s face grew stern. “Absurd! Tarot cards? Superstitious nonsense—nothing but trickery!”
Lily Harper shrank back, not daring to say a word.
Margaret forced herself to continue, “And… there was another reason. I wanted to use this chance to put Sophia Bennett in her place. If she comes into our family too arrogantly, it will disrupt our household.”