Love, revenge and money

Revenge is served hot

It was strange for Alanna, after all, she had never done anything to seduce Nick Smith. However, Lucas had appeared in her life, and he pursued her every step of the way.

Nick had been the first love of many a high-class girl, including Alanna, but she was shy, and Lucas had already taken the initiative.

As Alanna took a sip of her water, she frowned and watched Lucas rise from the table and prostrate himself before Camille charmingly. Everyone turned to Lucas as he sang a tune with the glass and silverware.

—Camille, I know we don't have much time together, but I love you more than anything in the world. I want to ask you, precisely you, to be my wife. I hope you will give me the chance to love you all my life. Will you marry me?— Lucas hinted loudly in front of all the guests.

Lucas had knelt down in front of Camille, holding a diamond ring in his hands. The light reflected off the diamond and illuminated it with fervour.

Alanna hadn't really expected Lucas to propose to another woman, let alone when it had been less than a week since they'd been engaged.

It was so shocking - he had asked another woman to marry him in front of her!

Even though Alanna knew Lucas had never loved her, she was completely devastated. It wasn't easy for her to watch Lucas get down on one knee in front of her supposed best friend, in front of over three hundred people, in the same way he had proposed to her.

Her body began to tremble and a lump rose in her throat. Alanna wanted to cry, but her pride wouldn't let her. She just held back and sighed as she clenched her fists.

Half the guests couldn't believe what was happening.

How could Lucas propose to another woman in front of Alanna?

—Wasn't he Alanna Summer's fiancé?—

People were quick to gossip among themselves, while the other half of the guests thought it was an act of true love.

—How is it possible? Lucas and Alanna only got engaged 4 days ago?—

—Poor Alanna, she must be devastated. She's been through so much to keep that love with Lucas.—

—I heard her mother killed herself when she found out she was marrying that man. How miserable—

Was heard over and over again from the surrounding area. Alanna couldn't bear to hear all those words. If they were only talking about her, maybe Alanna could take it, but they were starting to talk about her mother.

Alanna couldn't help but burst into tears. Her eyes reddened and tears began to flow. She quickly tried to get up and turn around to leave, but someone suddenly grabbed her shoulder.

Alanna looked up in shock and saw before her a pair of eyes as clear as the sky. It was Nick! He patted Alanna on the shoulder and then turned his gaze to Lucas.

Nick was like a king looking down on a useless commoner, as if he were a helpless ant.

—Brother, you...— said Camille when she saw Nick.

She wanted to talk to him, and ask him whether or not it was right for her to marry Lucas.

Camille knew that Lucas would ask her to marry him at that banquet... However, his purpose was never to humiliate Alanna, but rather she wanted to impress Nick and get his blessing.

Nick was in charge of all the family enterprises, and the entire Smith family fortune belonged to him.

Camille had been sent away to boarding school all her childhood, and when she returned she was disinterested in the family, so no one knew she was a Smith.

However, when fortunes began to rise in the Smith family, Camille did everything she could to return, so naturally she needed Nick's support in everything.

She didn't know how to run a business, but Lucas was good at business! With the Smith family, and the fortune stolen from Alanna Summer Lucas was at the top.

Camille had planned this emotional marriage proposal to Lucas, so that it would be witnessed by all the upper class people and Nick would be thrilled.

But, when Camille approached Nick to talk to him, she didn't expect her big brother to have his hand on Alanna's shoulder, as if she were his girlfriend.

Nick's closeness with Alanna hurt Camille's eyes.

—Nick... you and Alanna are...?— Camille said with a dark and resentful look.

—Please sis, address Alanna as Mrs. Smith— Nick's voice sounded so impotent and overbearing.

It was a tone of voice that could hurt a person without even mentioning strong words. Hearing that, Camille was totally shocked!

Was it true what Alanna was saying, was it true about the certificate? Alanna was stunned in spite of everything. What was going on?

Alanna didn't know how the hell that had happened, but she didn't want to say any more. She could use Nick's image to get back at Lucas and Camille, couldn't she?

—Still, Camille, you can call me sister-in-law,— Alanna said, smiling kindly, staring at Camille who looked like she was taking a dagger to the heart.

Hearing that, Camille was stunned, her body swayed and her balance disappeared. She fell into a trance-like state as she sat in one of the chairs.

It seemed like the world's sick joke. She looked up at Alanna and stared at her in disbelief.

—Sister-in-law?— Camille said fearfully.

Lucas, still on his knees watching the scene, was dumbfounded. If Alanna was Camille's sister-in-law, that made her the wife of the richest man in town.

It was impossible!

He came to his senses and got up to go over to Camille and help her to her feet.

The attention of all the guests had been focused entirely on Nick and his order for Camille to call Alanna "sister-in-law".

No one dared say anything about it. They just looked at Nick, waiting for him to make an announcement about what had happened. After all, all the upper-class girls had come to the banquet with the illusion of becoming Nick Smith's wife.

But even before the party had begun, Nick had claimed that Alanna was his wife. How could that be possible?

—Yes, I married her. I was hoping to announce our marriage tonight. But, I didn't expect to spoil the surprise. Now everyone knows— Nick said as he looked charmingly at Alanna and kissed her hand excitedly.

Nick turned to Alanna and stroked his face as he brushed his hair behind his ears.

—I'm sorry honey— said Nick as he stared into Alanna's eyes.

Alanna was surprised. She was fascinated by Nick's charming and attractive gaze. She blinked rapidly a couple of times, to wake up from that dream, but it was real!

She knew deep in her soul that it was probably all fake and that Nick was just helping her. Revenge is definitely a dish that should be served hot!

Alanna immediately decided to play along and clung to Nick's arm and rested her head on it as she smiled happily and looked at Camille.

—Honey, we should thank Camille and Lucas, if it wasn't for them I would never have met the love of my life,— added Alanna, bringing out all her acting skills.

Alanna looked at Nick again. Her eyes were full of love for him. He was so perfect and attractive.

Nick reached out his hand and caressed Alanna's cheek without even looking at the people around him.

—You're so beautiful, I can't help but kiss you,— he said.

—Oh, you make me blush,— said Alanna, blushing pitifully.

She knew it was all fake, but it was inexorable to resist Nick's charms. He was not only handsome, but possessed extraordinary charm.

Nick brushed his fingers across Alanna's lips and looked at his sister with indifference and no emotion on his face.

—Camille, if you'll excuse us, this table is for my wife and me, you can have another,— said Nick.

His tone of voice was indifferent, it sounded like a direct order. That was definitely the powerful aura of a successful and respectable man.

Hearing that order, Camille's eyes widened in surprise. She couldn't believe Nick would say that in front of everyone. He was embarrassing her!

—Nick... What are you saying? I don't think you know everything about Alanna... She was to blame for the break-up with Lucas...— Camille said remorselessly.

Before Camille could finish speaking, however, Nick immediately interrupted her. —What are you saying? You want me to talk about your boyfriend here?— Nick said in a threatening tone.

Camille knew exactly what Nick was talking about. That had sounded like a strong warning from Nick to her and Lucas.