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Seeing Scarlett wasn’t taking the watch, the man grasped her hand, placing it on her wrist. She frowned, trying to pull away.“Don’t…”
attention?”
He leaned close, his voice low and resonant.“Do you want to attract
Scarlett glanced around; some people were observing them. Since he didn’t want the watch, she didn’t insist; perhaps he didn’t like it. The watch was back on her wrist in a flash.
Scarlett cleared her throat.“Um, I’ll transfer the money after we land. Ten million, what do you think?”
His face darkened slightly.“I’m good. I had a wonderful time that night; we’re even.”
Scarlett was speechless, clearing her throat again.“You saved me. Without your… help, things
ould have been much worse.”
He covered his mouth with his fist, hiding a smile.“Help… how?”
Scarlett’s face flushed crimson. She fell silent. Then, she decided to leave it to her father. She’d repay this debt, then they’d be strangers, as if they’d never met.
He said nothing more. However, he assisted her throughout the flight, fetching drinks and helping open containers. He was polite and gentlemanly, and incredibly handsome. Scarlett’s impression of him improved.
She dozed intermittently; soon, the plane landed. The man thoughtfully retrieved her luggage from the overhead compartment.
Scarlett said gratefully, “Thank you! Come with me. My dad will be here; he’ll thank you properly.”
He smiled, saying nothing, but followed her off the plane. Scarlett, eager to see her father, wasn’t paying close attention to him. She assumed he was behind her.
Scarlett canceled her phone number, so Steve waited at the very front of the arrival gate so he- wouldn’t miss her. She saw him immediately, tears welling up.
“Dad!”
“Hey, sweetheart!” Steve’s smile was affectionate and gentle, but tinged with concern. She’d been through so much.
Scarlett rushed towards him, burying herself in his embrace, like a bird returning to its nest.
“Dad!”
Steve held her close.“There, there. Don’t cry, Daddy’s here.”
She was still upset, deeply so. She wanted to cry, but she was at the airport, under the watchful gaze of many.
She suppressed her emotions. “Dad; let me introduce you…”
She looked back for the strange man but couldn’t find him.
Steve asked, “What’s wrong?”
Scarlett turned back.“Nothing, let’s go home.” She didn’t want to tell her father the details Steve didn’t press her. ‘Good. Let’s go see your mother.”
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Scarlett had her father’s assistant collect her luggage; she linked arms with him as they headed for the exit. Seeing the gray hairs at his temples, a pang of sadness struck her. “Dad, Mom’s been gone for so long; it’s perfectly natural for you to remarry. My brother and I won’t object.”
up
sensible.”
welled up.“My
up.“My little girl has grown Steve’s eyes
SO and become
He paused, “But remarriage involves complications, especially assets. I don’t need a woman; brother.” and to cause trouble for solves everything. I don’t want money solves Scarlett was speechless. It he wasn’t her dad, she’d call him a jerk. But he was, and she found his reasoning perfectly logical. What was happening to her?
you
your
Steve patted her hand.“Your brother is preparing your wedding estate; we’ll go see it tomorrow, along with your fiancé.”
Scarlett replied obediently, “Okay.”
A sense of foreboding washed over her. She never imagined she would have an arranged marriage. What would her future hold?
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