Chapter 6 Let Karen Marry Nicholas
Sharon didn’t respond but just stood, quietly staring at Karen.
Karen, standing at the hotel entrance, was growing increasingly impatient. She mumbled in her mind, ‘These guys are incredible. They don’t let me wait in the lobby. Who do they think they are?’
However, it wasn’t long before Martin stepped out to ease the tension. “Ms. Karen Vance, do you remember me? We met when you were a child.”
Only then did Karen reluctantly accept the fact that the beautiful girl in front of her was Sharon. Realizing the purpose of her visit, she had no choice but to swallow her frustration.
She forced a smile and said, “Oh, Mr. Crawford, it’s been a long time. Enzo didn’t mean any harm this morning. He got scolded by Grandma, so she asked me to come personally and bring you all back home.”
Sharon’s voice was cold as she replied, “No need, staying in the hotel is just fine.”
Karen shook her head. “You’ve come to Aerions. How can we have you stay in the hotel? We don’t want outsiders to think we can’t accommodate you. It will also reflect poorly on our reputation. Don’t you agree, Mr. Crawford?”
Martin looked a bit awkward. He glanced at Sharon and suggested, “Well, how about we go back first?”
Sharon shrugged. “As you wish.” She wasn’t particularly concerned about it.
Karen let out a breath of relief. “Mr. Crawford, please get your luggage and get in the car. We have three cars, so pick whichever one you like.”
Martin immediately went back to pack, while Sharon walked slowly behind, her steps deliberate.
At that moment, her phone rang. Sharon’s expression became a bit more serious when she saw the caller ID. She took a few steps back and answered the call, “Hello?”
An excited voice came through the line. “Zero, thank goodness you’re alive. If I hadn’t seen Atlantis Hotel’s booking record, I would’ve never believed it.”
Sharon replied, “Yeah, I used your card to book the rooms. Someone’s been investigating me, so I faked my death to get away.”
The voice on the other end sighed in relief. “I’m glad you’re okay. Feel free to use the card anytime. You actually go to Aerions? We should catch up when I’m back.”
“Sure.” Sharon ended the call, her expression returning to its usual neutral state.
Once their luggage was packed, they left Atlantis Hotel and headed straight for Graceville Manor.
Karen rode in a separate car. She didn’t want to sit with these country bumpkins. If it weren’t for her grandmother’s orders, she wouldn’t be wasting her time pretending to be friendly.
As Karen thought about Sharon’s stunning appearance, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. Sharon’s soft and watery eyes had the kind of allure that made men want to protect her.
Karen dialed a number and spoke irritably into the phone, “Mom, Sharon looks like a seductress. What if Nick falls for her?”
Madeline’s voice was calm and reassuring. “Relax, honey, with your grandmother around, I’m sure you will eventually marry Nicholas. Sharon is nothing compared to you when it comes to family background.
“Besides, her brothers just canceled the engagement with the Baxter family. That’s already a huge blow for her. She can’t compete with you, okay? Just wait for Nicholas to marry you.”
Hearing her mother’s words, Karen relaxed, a smug smile creeping across her face as she hung up the phone.
*****
After a long ride, the car finally arrived at Graceville Manor.
Martin and Sharon were in the same vehicle, and as they drove through the familiar gates, Martin couldn’t help but murmur, “We finally come back.”
He reminded Sharon in a low voice, “Shari, when you meet Mrs. Vance, just be a little more compliant. You and Karen are the only girls in the Vance family, so I think your grandma will like you.”
Sharon rolled her eyes, thinking to herself, ‘I don’t care at all whether she likes me or not.’
As they walked along the road toward the house, several servants stood at attention and greeted Karen. “Ms. Karen Vance.”
Alyssa and her two children were so stunned by the sight that they couldn’t even speak.
Alyssa had heard Martin mention that the Vance family was wealthy, but she hadn’t expected them to be so wealthy. She began to daydream about what her future might be like.
Karen noticed the expressions on Alyssa and her children, and she snorted, looking patronizing.
However, when her eyes landed on Sharon, her gaze grew sharper, and she couldn’t help but think, ‘She’s probably just pretending. Inside, she must be envious.’
Entering the grand hall, the group was immediately struck by the lavish decor.
On one of the sofas sat an elderly lady with impeccably groomed hair, wearing a neat pearl necklace and a modest, elegant dress. Her grace was undeniable.
Sharon stood calmly, her demeanor neutral.
Martin spoke first, “Mrs. Vance, you look as youthful as ever after all these years.”
“You are quite a sweet talker,” Roxanne replied, visibly pleased by the compliment.
Her eyes shifted to Sharon, and her expression subtly changed.
‘She definitely takes after her dead mother, always rebellious and unruly,’ Roxanne thought.
She spoke in a cold tone, “Since you’re back, make yourself at home. I’ll have Enzo arrange some lessons for you to learn proper etiquette, so you won’t embarrass the family when you go out.”
Sharon responded, “Got it.”
Madeline suddenly spoke up, her voice sharp, “Shari, I heard you’re staying at Atlantis Hotel. Who gave you the card?”
Sharon answered coolly, “A friend.”
Madeline scoffed, “You know, our family doesn’t get along with them. You’d better not stay there again.”
Mentioning Atlantis Hotel clearly bothered Roxanne, and her face clouded further as she eyed Sharon with even more disdain.
Karen then intervened, trying to be nice. “Shari, don’t take it personally. Grandma is just worried you might be used by others to embarrass the Vance family. That friend who gave you the card probably has ulterior motives.”
Roxanne snorted, her voice dripping with contempt, “Cut ties with those shady friends. You’re now the Vance family’s youngest child. Stop associating with people like that.”
Sharon’s eyes flashed with mockery, but she said nothing.
Roxanne pressed, her tone growing sharper. “What, are you mute? Didn’t you hear what I said?”
Sharon finally said, “Don’t use that word to call my friend.”
Roxanne seethed with anger. “Are you trying to drive me crazy? With your rebellious attitude, what makes you think you have any right to marry into the Baxter family?
“Let’s meet the Baxters together. You’ll personally tell them to call off the engagement. Let Karen marry Nicholas instead.”
Sharon’s eyes widened in surprise. She glanced at Martin, her mind racing. ‘Do I have an engagement? Why didn’t I know about it? My brothers didn’t mention anything about it when they came.’
