●Carlton ●
"I don't need securing," I replied without slowing down.
She hurried after me and grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop. I turned to face her. The softness from earlier was gone. What remained was fury.
"Can you stop being emotional and start thinking with your brain?" she snapped. "Do you even know how much they are willing to offer for this truce? The expansion opportunities? The capital? This isn't small money, Carlton."
I let out a short laugh.
Of course. This had to be about money.
"There's another son in this family," I said coldly. "Kyle is right there. If this is about securing alliances and cash flow, let him marry her. Let him secure the fortune you're so excited about."
Her jaw tightened.
"Carlton..." She started but I stopped her from whatever she was going to say.
"I am not sacrificing my freedom to fix your business deals," I shot back. "I built my own empire. I don't need theirs. And I'm not marrying someone just to please you or Father."
