Spoiled By My Brothers: Return of The Lost Heiress-Chapter 159: The Engagement?

Sean finally turned his head, eyes locking with hers. "Try me," he said, his voice a low warning. Then his tone shifted as it turned softer and playful. "However... you are my future wife. Of course, I wouldn’t do anything to you."

He meant it. His eyes were full of honesty and Melissa could see it, but instead of being reassured, she felt offended instead of getting comforted by him. His words didn’t sound like protection rather it sounded like possession. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Hah!" Melissa rolled her eyes as her smile was full of smugness. "Do you think I don’t know what you’re plotting against my brother Asher?"

This was the time for Sean to be shocked. The flicker of surprise was small, but Melissa caught it instantly.

"You do know a lot, dear future wife," Sean muttered, his voice dropping lower, hiding the edge of danger beneath the hum of applause around them.

Melissa leaned in, her lips brushing close to his ear as she let out a soft laugh, making it look to the others like they were being all lovey-dovey. "Of course I know. How can I not, when it’s the man I’ll marry one day?"

Sean’s lips curved into a half-smile, but his eyes were cold and calculating, already. "Then I suppose," he murmured, "our marriage will be more interesting than I thought."

Melissa’s smug smile didn’t falter, but deep inside, she knew she shouldn’t talk much right now. She had poked the beast, and the glint in Sean’s eyes made sure about her doubt.

So, he really was planning something against Asher? Melissa thought, and an odd warmth ran through her chest that she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Strangely, she didn’t feel cornered. For once, it felt like someone carried the same thought as her.

The idea made her lips curl. A part of her wanted Sean to ruin the whole Lancaster family piece by piece, to leave them stripped of their power, their name, and their so-called pride. She wanted to watch it happen behind the curtain, enjoying every second of their fall, while still being beside them.

But how? How could she make it happen? She had been waiting for years. The moment Seraphina arrived in the family. She had her doubts that she would never be the same if Sera ever got the chance, and now... it was already happening.

She was still thinking what should she do? And then... her eyes flicked back to Sean.

Until now.

Sean wasn’t looking at her anymore. His gaze had drifted, calm and careless on the surface, but it was as sharp as ever.

Melissa had already noticed the way he was looking at Asher and got all serious whenever Asher’s name was mentioned, the way he kept looking at every small thread that would ruin him any moment. It wasn’t obvious, but to her, it was clear that Sean was already digging and searching for his mistakes.

And if he wanted to ruin Asher... Melissa wouldn’t hesitate even for a second. She would hand him the chisel herself.

Her heart pounded from thrill. Finally, someone else hated them enough to do what she couldn’t.

Sean leaned closer then, as his voice was filled with a teasing tone. "You’re smiling too much, Melissa. Careful, people might think you’re actually happy." He chuckled a little. "Your smile looks really fake!"

Melissa straightened, shaping her lips into a sweet, sisterly smile as laughter rose around the cake-cutting. "Maybe I am," she said, though her eyes told a different story.

They were still whispering when Old Madam Lan cleared her throat, drawing all eyes back to the stage. The chatter dimmed instantly.

"Hello, everyone!" Her voice came out with ease but full of command as one hand still stayed wrapped around Seraphina’s wrist, as if she were presenting her to the world. "As I have already said... this child here, Seraphina Lancaster... is our long-lost granddaughter. Now that she has finally returned, the Lancaster family will make sure she receives everything she had not in all these years."

People started to talk about what she was trying to imply and what was she trying to give to Seraphina and why did not anyone knew that Seraphina was her granddaughter until now?

Melissa’s face twitched, but she kept her smile fixed in place.

Old Madam Lan’s expression didn’t soften. She was still furious at Melissa and Stephanie, but even then, she didn’t let anyone know that. She didn’t speak a word that could reveal the ugly truth about Melissa’s identity in front of everyone and yet, she softly launched Seraphina to the world.

"And since she was lost to us from birth... and now that she has reached eighteen," Old Madam Lan continued, her gaze sharp and deliberate, "I have made a decision. It’s time to bind her future properly. Seraphina will be engaged to Sean."

Murmurs rose louder as all eyes flicked from Sean, who was standing beside Melissa and then back to Seraphina.

Old Madam Lan smiled faintly, though her eyes were anything but soft. "It’s time our friends become family."

"What!?" Seraphina shot out as her body went rigid.

Her heart was filled with panic as shock was written all over her face when her eyes landed on Lucien. He stood there silently with his jaw tight, and eyes burning with fury. But the anger was not directed at her, but at the words that had just been spoken. It was for the announcement itself, as if he could tear it apart with his gaze alone.

Her breath caught in her throat. The weight of that stare made her heart pound painfully.

"Grandma! This is not what I want!" Seraphina said firmly, her voice trembling as she spoke. She tried to pull her hand free, but Old Madam Lan’s grip only tightened.

Before Seraphina could push another word out, Old Madam Lan cut her off, her tone sharp and final.

"Today will be the day when Sean and Sera get engaged!"

Lucien had had enough of this nonsense. His body stiffened as rage boiled inside him. He took a step forward, ready to tear the stage apart with his words when a hand clamped down on his shoulder, stopping him at his place.

"Let us handle this."

It was Asher who held him back with his iron grip, while Alistair’s voice came low and steady.

"Grandma!" Before Alistair could even step in, Asher moved, striding toward the front. His voice was sharp and loud. "Sean is Melissa’s fiancé. Let him stay hers!"

The crowd became intrigued. They couldn’t help but think that Asher was taking Melissa’s side as Sean was already said to be her fiance and whole world knew that!

"How dare you question my judgment?" Old Madam Lan slammed her stick against the stage, her glare burning with fury. "My words are final!"

"Really?" Asher’s lip curled, his voice dripping with disdain. He wanted to lash out right there in front of everyone, his anger boiling too high for him to swallow. His chest rose and fell hard, each breath came sharper than the last.