Chapter 484

With a commanding presence he had, Maurice burst through the door and walked in.

Marguerite whipped her head around, catching the fierce gaze of Maurice who looked every bit the part of a king in his domain.

The sheer force of his aura seemed to leave no room for dissent; as if to say, comply willingly or not, you will comply.

Yet Maurice was known for his cunning, a man whose gentle exterior often hid a blade. Marguerite had never seen him so unbridled with madness. What on earth did he intend to do?

“Maurice, have you lost your freaking mind?” Marguerite spat out, her anger breaking through in her choice of words.

With a slight lift of his arm, a silent command, the two women flanking Marguerite withdrew their hands from her shoulders.

Freed, Marguerite rose to her feet and pointed toward the balcony, challenging Maurice, “Believe it or not, if you force me to marry you, I swear I’ll jump off that balcony tonight.”

Maurice stepped in front of her, his gaze lingering on her for a long moment before breaking into a laugh. But his seemingly composed smile carried an edge of devilry.

“Look at you now. Are you still the Marguerite who doesn’t give a damn about anyone else?”

“Don’t push me!”

He scoffed coldly, turning to the makeup artist with a sharp order, “Make her over! Right away!”

As the makeup artist approached, Marguerite bolted for the balcony, “I said don’t touch me!”

In an instant, she was perched precariously on the railing, a portrait of imminent danger that startled everyone present.

But Maurice was quick, striding to the balcony and pulling Marguerite back from the brink.

“Stop this madness!”

“Don’t think I won’t do it! I’ll jump!”

Suddenly, Maurice found himself at a loss facing this defiant Marguerite. For three years, he had planned to slowly chip away at her resistance, but his approach was backfiring; his assertiveness was only fueling her resistance, making her fight back even harder. What did she really want? Love or money? He could give her both!

Maurice’s face shifted, a hint of compromise as he explained, “We’re not getting married today.”

Marguerite glared at him, “Then what the hell is this?”

“The wedding is in a month. I don’t want to rush things. I just wanted you to try on the dress.”

“Well, I’ve tried it, it fits fine, but I hate it. I’m taking it off now, get out!”

With that, she began shoving Maurice toward the door, but he quickly grasped her wrist, leading her downstairs.

“Maurice, let go! What are you trying to do?” Marguerite was panicking.

Everyone would be home by now, and she couldn’t bear Frederick seeing her like this!

But Maurice was too strong; her struggles were futile.

Jocelyn was knitting a scarf beside Mr. Powell’s wheelchair, and Lisette was sipping tea, engrossed in the TV show.

Maurice dragged Marguerite straight to Lisette, “Today, I’m announcing our engagement.”

“Engagement? Over my dead body!” Marguerite seethed inwardly, struggling to free herself.

Lisette paused, her eyes shifting to the wedding-dressed Marguerite and the stern Maurice. After a moment, she spat a mouthful of tea right onto Marguerite’s dress, “I object!”

Marguerite knew if it weren’t for the audience, Lisette would’ve aimed for her face. But she wasn’t upset, instead, she quickly seized the opportunity, “Alright! No wedding it is! A marriage without the blessing of the elders is doomed, I’m taking this dress off right now!”

Jocelyn nearly burst into laughter at Marguerite’s words. When had this girl ever been so compliant with Lisette? Checking the time, it seemed Frederick would be home any minute now.