Chapter 5 +25 Bonus Hearing those words , Connor's fawning smile instantly froze , though he still refused to accept reality . " I understand you've just returned to the country , uncle . You must've heard some rumors , but don't take them seriously . " Today is my engagement dinner with Helen . How could she be your fiancée ? You must be tired . Why don't you go rest first ? When my father arrives , then you can discuss real business . " Liam's voice carried the weight of command , stern without needing to rise . " Connor , I don't care if you're pretending to be stupid or really are . Today , my business is my engagement to Miss Helen Starks . Stay away from my fiancée . " For once , the ever - obedient Connor revealed an unexpected streak of stubbornness . Though his face was drained of color under Liam's intimidating presence , he still clung to his denial . " Uncle , Helen and I grew up together . She's been chasing after me since we were kids . Everyone knows she likes me . How could she possibly be engaged to you ? I'm the one who- " Liam had no patience for his nonsense . One sharp look was enough to silence him . " I don't care about the past , and don't think I know nothing about what you've been doing in secret . " The moment those words fell , not only did Connor freeze , but even Rachel , sitting quietly in the corner , shuddered . Without wasting another word on Connor , Liam stepped past his nephew and walked to my side , presenting me with a gift box . " I only had time to prepare something simple on short notice . I hope you'll like it , Miss Helen . " The entire room fell silent . Liam , known in the business world as ruthless and stone - faced , had never once shown this kind of gentleness in public . I opened the box to find a stunning custom gown , elegant and exquisite . In an instant , I recognized it . It was a one - of - a - kind piece by the designer I admired most , a masterpiece so rare it could be called priceless . Yet in this lifetime , I was meeting Liam for the very first time . I had never mentioned my tastes to anyone . Could it really be just a coincidence ? Overjoyed , I offered Liam my thanks . Connor's face turned crimson with anger as he stood in the corner . " Helen , are you that easy ? Is a dress enough to make you this happy ? " I know you're still sulking about yesterday . Listen . Give the gift back to my uncle right now , and I'll buy you as many dresses as 1/2 Chapter 5 you want . " I hadn't planned to respond , but his insults grew increasingly unbearable . +25 Bonus " Shut your mouth , Connor . My engagement with your uncle and the exchange of gifts between us has nothing to do with you . I'm only refraining from harsher words because you're about to be my nephew - in - law . You'd better watch your tongue from now on . " To Connor , anything I cherished was worthless . He could casually hand over the fruits of my labor to another woman . In my past life , he had never once given me a gift . At most , he would instruct the butler to buy something perfunctory . On my birthdays , on our anniversaries , I had spent them alone , facing nothing but a few cold , soulless shopping bags . At first , I thought Connor simply did not know how to express affection - that he just wasn't a romantic man . Later , I realized he knew very well how to be romantic . He knew how to love , how to accompany someone . He just reserved all of it for Rachel . The way I referred to him as my future nephew - in - law was enough to make Connor explode . Laughing manically , he spread his arms as if to rip me away from Liam . " Well , you've really made a name for yourself . What did you do to deceive even my uncle into acting with you ? " Isn't this charade enough already ? Cut it out . I don't have time to keep this up ! " Suddenly , a commanding voice cut through Connor's noisy rant . " You unfilial son , it seems you're in need of discipline ! How dare you shout at your uncle ? " Miss Helen's engagement to your uncle was decided by me personally . Who are you to interfere ? " The butler escorted Connor's father into the room . Although Mr. Gregory was still in poor health , the authority of the family head remained unquestioned . Connor's voice immediately weakened as he scrambled to defend himself . " Dad , you watched Helen and me grow up together . How could we take seriously a so - called engagement based on the words of some fraud ? " Support Share