Chapter 214
Chapter 214
The ever straightforward Rita had no idea she'd just ruined the mood Callum had been trying to set.
“That’s right, sir.” She nodded. “Count Rowell wishes to discuss the engagement ceremony with you.
He wants to move it up a few days.”
The news struck Callum right in the heart. He'd been worrying about whether his sweetheart would be
swept off her feet by the rascal Magnus. And now, Rowell McKinney was suggesting moving up the
engagement ceremony? This was nothing short of fantastic!
“Alright, I'll go over there right now. Prepare the car,” Callum announced. Turning to Natalia, he
proposed, “Buttercup, let’s go together, shall we?”
“But...” Natalia hesitated. “Can I not go? I really, really don’t like them.”
“This will be the only time. After this, you will never have to go there again.” Callum comforted Natalia.
“We're just making an appearance. Don’t worry, no one dares to give you a hard time. If they do, they'll
have me to answer to.”
Not long after Natalia's return, Rowell officially announced that she was the lost daughter. Natalia,
preoccupied with thoughts of Magnus, had ignored Rowell’s actions. But if she were to be engaged to
Callum, they had to go through Rowell, as she was his daughter.
Once Natalia had agreed, they set out for the historic McKinney mansion.
Upon arriving, Natalia couldn't help but laugh at the sight of maids in their finest garb waiting to
welcome them. It seemed her shameless father was quite the showman.
Rowell and Henry warmly greeted Callum and Natalia. However, Alice's reception was less than
friendly. She seemed overly excited at Callum's presence, yet radiated hostility towards Natalia.
Compared to Alice's overt hatred, her mother appeared more reserved, but it was only a superficial
appearance. Her eyes were filled with great disdain.
The McKinney family's attitudes were clear to Natalia, but she didn't care. She had nothing to do with
them.
Callum, on the other hand, appeared much more mature and composed. In response to Rowell
McKinney's friendly greeting, Callum nodded and expressed his intentions directly, "I heard that you
want to advance the engagement ceremony?"
As he spoke, Callum put his arm around Natalia and casually sat on the sofa in the living room.
Rowell nodded with a somewhat mournful expression on his face. "Yes, because in two days, it will be
Lena's birthday. I hope your engagement ceremony can be held on that day. I was worried that you
might not make it in time, so I wanted to discuss it with you."
"We have no problem here," Callum responded, turning his head to look at Natalia. "Right, Buttercup?"
Natalia furrowed her brows even tighter, but she forced a smile that appeared somewhat strained. "I'll
go along with your decision."
Her mind was in turmoil, still thinking about the scene of Magnus getting injured just now. Marrying
Callum was an urgent matter, but did that man go to the hospital? NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.
Alice watched all of this, her eyes filled with malice. She immediately changed her expression.
"Oh, Natalia, your engagement day is coming up soon! I bought something to give you as a gift. Come
with me and take a look," Alice said with a smile as she approached, grabbing Natalia's hand and
pulling her upstairs without giving her a chance to refuse.
Natalia was caught off guard by Alice's forceful actions, and as she opened her mouth to refuse, she
saw the provocative look in Alice's eyes: If you have the guts, come with me!
Since she was deliberately causing trouble, it wouldn't be right to refuse. Natalia decided to play along
and said, "Really? Well, thank you in that case."
"Since that's the case, let's go to my room upstairs and take a look. I promise this gift will surprise you,"
Alice said, pulling Natalia upstairs while pretending to be obedient as she said to Rowell, "Dad, I'll take
my sister upstairs to have a look. You can chat slowly."
"Okay," Rowell nodded lightly, feeling pleased that Alice suddenly seemed so understanding. He was
happy that the two sisters had reconciled.
Amid the low murmurs downstairs, Natalia was forcefully pushed upstairs by Alice.
Callum’s mind was still on the ceremony and didn't notice the tension between the two girls. He always
thought Alice had come to terms with reality. She wouldn't put Natalia in a spot.
Once they reached the second floor, Natalia stopped, glaring disdainfully at Alice. "Enough, drop the
sanctimonious act, I'm not in the mood for it."
"You!" Alice pointed a finger at Natalia, wishing she could slap that smug look off her face, and make
her hideously ugly!
"Me? What about me?" Natalia challenged Alice, unafraid of her glaring eyes. "If there's nothing else,
I'll head back downstairs, instead of standing here feeling sick."
"Natalia, I'm warning you. This is my home! The people downstairs are my dad, my mom, and my
brother! You have no ties to them whatsoever. Don't you dare show up uninvited at our house again!"