The Groom They Underestimated

Trevor's POV

Felicity's eyes then flickered to the assistant at her side, and that little movement confirmed my suspicion.

“Whose idea it was has nothing to do with you,” she snapped. “A real man keeps his word. You want to go back on your words now?”

I raised an eyebrow and let out a short, cold laugh. “I’m not. I just think someone’s been trying to drive a wedge between me and you, Miss Young.”

Then I turned toward Mr. Watts as I continued, “Don’t you think all this looks staged?”

I’d hoped to appeal to a little common sense, at least for the sake of her father, but she wouldn’t have it.

“Trevor,” she snarled, “I warn you: stop stirring trouble.”

“You were the one swearing up and down you’d cut ties with me,” she continued, venom thick in her tone. “Why are you suddenly having second thoughts?”

Her words stung. Honestly, I felt a flicker of disappointment. The Youngs had ruled the market for years. How did they end up raising a daughter so shallow?

“Get out,” Mr. Watts barked, leaning in with raw contempt. “You’re not welcome here. Beat it.”

I smiled faintly. “Isn’t that enough? You’ve gotten what you wanted. Why keep up the act? The ceremony’s starting soon. Shouldn’t your boss be here by now?”

Just then, the dressing room door was pushed open, and then a man about my age swaggered in like he owned the place.

“Miss Young, will you marry me?” he asked loudly.

“Mr. North, you're finally here!” Mr. Watts excitedly said.

As such, the room rose as one to greet him, the NorthStar heir.

"Judging by that attitude, you must be the one really calling the shots, huh?" I remarked.

He stalked toward me with a predator’s ease and complimented, “Kid, gotta hand it to you. You’re clever.”

“But being too clever can backfire,” he soon added, voice oily with amusement.

He carried himself with more arrogance than even Mr. Watts.\

Even so, I just gave him a single cool look and then turned my gaze away from him.

“Been waiting a long time for today, right?” I said.

He nodded, pity crossing his face as if I’d been deprived of something. “Mr. Dalton, I hear you refused to sign that marital agreement? What a shame.”

He tapped out a cigarette and smiled. “You just lost your one shot at joining the upper class.”

I shrugged and let out a light, easy laugh. “If that’s what it takes, I’m fine with walking away.”

He blinked in surprise. “You’re not angry at all? I practically stole your fiancée.”

I waved a hand, still smiling. “Why would I? In fact, you did me a favor. If you hadn’t stepped in, I’d have no idea how to explain any of this to Mr. Young.”

With every exchange, I kept control, while the NorthStar heir’s face had gone pale with frustration.

“Then get out of here before I make someone teach you a lesson,” he snarled.

I cocked an amused smile and waved him off. “Mr. North, don’t rush. Before I go, I want to call my grandfather.”

With that, I pulled out my phone in front of everyone.

“Hello? Grandpa? It’s me, Trevor.”

The moment he heard my voice, Grandpa chuckled warmly. “Well, my dear grandson! What’s got you calling at this hour? Have you met your future bride yet? What do you think of her?”

I glanced meaningfully at Miss Young across from me, then gave a cold, mocking smile. “Actually, Grandpa, that’s exactly why I called. I was going to tell you that your future granddaughter-in-law’s been stolen.”

As soon as those words left my mouth, Grandpa’s furious voice practically exploded through the phone. “What did you just say?!”