Chapter 8
"I'll take care of it," Sarah said as a stiff smile settled on her face and she forced herself to stay composed. She swallowed the humiliation. "Brenna, consider this eight hundred thousand your engagement gift. I hope your future turns out well."
After saying that, she clenched her fists and transferred the money from the savings she had secretly set aside for her retirement. Each digit felt like a knife twisting in her chest.
A sharp chime echoed from Brenna's phone, confirming the money had gone through.
Brenna lifted the screen slightly, the corner of her mouth curving up. "Got it. Thanks, Mom, for the late engagement gift and the kind wishes."
For a brief moment, Sarah felt dizzy. Today, she had been disgraced in front of everyone, and even Sam had begun looking at her with suspicion. To her, Brenna brought nothing but misfortune.
Without sparing Sarah and the others another glance, Vincent shifted his attention fully to Brenna.
"Although this engagement was arranged in a hurry, none of the proper rituals will be skipped. My mother is currently in the hospital, and my father is staying with her, so my grandfather will officiate today." Vincent spoke in an even tone. "Come with me to the main hall and wait."
Brenna answered with ease, "That's fine. There are already plenty of guests here."
"Since you've agreed to marry into the Todd family, we'll make sure you're treated fairly. You will receive everything you deserve," Vincent said as he held her gaze.
He noticed that when Brenna's emotions fluctuated, the colors around her seemed particularly vivid. Her amber eyes stood out the most, bright and alluring, yet carrying a quiet danger.
Standing off to the side, Felix twitched his lips. Just a month ago, Vincent had been determined to cancel the engagement. But now, he looked like a man afraid his bride might bolt at any second. The contrast was almost amusing.
Without much interest, Brenna gave a small nod. "Fine. Whatever works."
She had assumed a replacement bride would be treated as an afterthought. Instead, the head of the Todd family, Phillip Todd, appeared in person not long after, leaning on a cane but clearly in high spirits.
Fixing his sharp gaze on her, Phillip asked, "You're Brenna Walsh?"
Though Phillip carried himself with strength, his eyes softened when he noticed the burn scars on her face. The sight stirred sympathy in his chest. A child who had gotten lost in a blazing mall at three years old and survived against the odds, only to be disdained by her own family after reconnection. The thought alone was hard to accept.
Meeting his eyes calmly, Brenna answered, "Yes, that's me."
"Good child," Phillip said in a gentle tone. "I just need to hear one thing from you. Do you truly want to marry Vincent?"
To Phillip, Vincent was hot-tempered and indifferent toward women. His agreement to this arranged marriage had already surprised him.
Lifting her chin slightly, Brenna responded without pause, "I'm willing, as long as the Todd family doesn't object."
Tears shimmered in Phillip's eyes. "Object? Why would we? You may look fragile, but if anyone dares to bully you, the Todd family will stand behind you."
Sarah and Jeremy, who had just been hit by Brenna, couldn't help but snort with fury. convinced that Phillip had been completely misled by Brenna, who was clearly anything but delicate when she fought.
With a casual lift of his hand, Phillip gave the order. "Bring everything in."
The butler bowed and carried out the instruction. One by one, large gift boxes were brought into the banquet hall. When the lids were opened, the display inside drew gasps.
Noreen stood rooted to the spot, unable to react.
The gifts consisted of designer gowns, rare handbags from limited collections, sparkling jewelry, and even the keys to luxury cars laid out neatly.
Greed flashed across Sam's eyes, and his smile stretched wide. "The Todd family really doesn't hold back."
"These are just small gifts for you to enjoy, Brenna," Phillip said with a hearty laugh as he turned to Brenna. He then looked at Vincent with raised brows. "What about you? Where's the engagement gift you prepared for today?"
Off to the side, Felix had to stifle a laugh. Was this about to turn awkward? Vincent hadn't prepared for the engagement at all.
Right when Felix was ready to enjoy what he thought would be Vincent's embarrassment, Vincent calmly produced a black credit card, which a servant then presented to Brenna with visible respect.
Vincent's voice rang clear through the hall. "My engagement gift. Nine hundred million."
Felix froze. When did Vincent become this generous?
The entire room was stunned. Nine hundred million? Phillip's gifts were already worth tens of millions, yet Vincent's offering surpassed even that. It wasn't just generous. It was overwhelming.
Shock drained the color from Noreen's face as she stared at the scene before her. "How... How is this possible?" she whispered.
Disbelief churned inside Noreen, tightening painfully in her chest. Originally, these jewels and the black card holding nine hundred million should've been hers, yet Brenna stood there claiming every bit of it. Only then did regret sink in, bitter and impossible to ignore.
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