When Lina's words fell, Nick and Tia froze in disbelief.
Had they heard her correctly?
She was willing to marry Adrian—the blind man?
Wasn't she supposed to be hopelessly, irrationally in love with Evan?
Elder Mr. Black's gaze locked onto Lina, sharp and piercing, as though he intended to strip away every layer of her thoughts.
"Lina," he said slowly, each word heavy with pressure, "you must understand that Adrian's eyesight may never recover. He could remain like this for the rest of his life."
"I know," Lina replied without hesitation, nodding calmly.
She knew exactly who could cure Adrian.
But she also knew better than to expose that truth now—before he had the power to protect himself.
"Are you certain?" Elder Mr. Black pressed. "This is not a child's game."
Unfazed by his formidable presence, Lina met his gaze steadily, her voice firm and composed.
"I'm twenty years old. I'm fully capable of bearing the consequences of my choices—whether good or bad."
A glimmer flashed through the old man's eyes.
This girl… suited Adrian far too well.
The carefully polished daughters of elite families—women who weighed every move against profit and loss—might preserve family wealth, but they lacked the courage to stand beside a fallen heir, to help him rise against the current and carve new ground.
Lina was different.
Strong. Fearless. Unyielding.
Perfect.
Elder Mr. Black turned his gaze toward Nick, who stood stiffly to the side, his face dark with reluctance and regret.
"Nick," the old man said coldly, "your younger daughter didn't grow up under your roof.
Fortunately, she didn't inherit your habit of clinging to outdated thinking. This matter is settled. From today onward, Lina is my granddaughter."
The words struck like a hammer.
Tia felt momentarily lost.
"Lina… shouldn't you think this through again?" she asked softly.
Lina met her gaze with a sharpness only Tia could perceive.
Think it through?
Think about becoming prey for scheming men and venomous women again?
Think about being reduced to a guinea pig, dissected piece by piece?
Never.
Though marrying Adrian wasn't her ideal choice, the thought of severing herself completely from Evan filled her with unexpected relief.
Nick's face darkened. "Lina, don't act on impulse!"
He feared her rash decision would not only waste the building promised to the Cole Family, but also offend the Black Family beyond repair.
Tia hurried to add, "Lina, liking someone isn't the same as loving them. The one you love… is Evan, isn't it?"
Lina had endured too much neglect outside. When she returned home, Evan's calculated gentleness had easily moved her. Tia was certain Lina was deeply entangled.
If she made that clear now, Elder Mr. Black would surely withdraw.
The Black Family would never accept a woman who might one day humiliate their name.
Lina laughed softly.
"Who said I love Evan?"
"You accepted his pursuit… didn't you?"
"Did Evan tell you that?" Lina asked lightly.
Tia's expression stiffened. "Yes. Vivian mentioned it."
Lina smiled faintly. "Then he probably couldn't bear the embarrassment of being rejected and lied to his sister."
She continued calmly, "Evan is excellent—but I have no interest in a doctor who spends his life buried in data and experiments. Life would be unbearably dull."
Only someone who had scraped the bottom of society could say such words so plainly.
She leaned slightly toward Elder Mr. Black and added with a gentle smile, "Adrian's blindness doesn't bother me. If anything, it makes me feel safer. Fewer temptations."
For the first time, the stern old man nearly laughed aloud.
Blunt. Honest. Fearless.
Endearing.
Tia turned to Nick in confusion.
Hadn't gifting the Cole Family a building signified agreement to the marriage?
If Lina married Adrian instead, it would mean breach of agreement. Not only would they lose Cole Pharmaceuticals' shares, they'd owe compensation as well.
Would Father truly accept that?
Nick clenched his jaw. He knew that refusing now would only offend Elder Mr. Black further.
"Very well," he said grimly. "They'll get engaged first. A simple family meal will suffice."
He deliberately emphasized simple—a silent reminder that the betrothal gifts should not be modest.
Lina immediately shook her head. "There's no need for an engagement banquet."
Her voice was decisive.
"If I want to marry, I will—engagement or not. And if I don't, no engagement will change that."
The culprit behind Adrian's injury still hadn't been found.
Even a family feast would gather dozens of Black relatives. The perpetrator could be among them.
She wouldn't risk Adrian's safety.
Nick's expression darkened further. "You make it sound easy. Are you suggesting my daughter should marry in secrecy?"
Without a banquet, how would he recover his losses?
Tia quickly soothed him, clinging to his arm. "Dad, you know Lina doesn't like social occasions. If she doesn't want it, let's respect her wishes. As long as she's happy."
Nick frowned.
Tia's words sounded supportive, yet he caught the hidden meaning.
With Lina's temper, a banquet might end in disaster. As long as the Black Family compensated properly, skipping it was preferable.
"Fine," he said curtly. "We'll do as she wishes."
Tia smiled and turned to Elder Mr. Black. "Mr. Black, Lina has suffered a lot over the years. Since her return, we've tried to make it up to her, but she prefers a simple life. There's no need to change her lifestyle for her sake."
Lina understood instantly.
Tia was implying she should expect neither recognition nor resources from the Black Family—remain insignificant, ordinary.
Eventually, she'd realize how much better life with Evan was.
Elder Mr. Black, seasoned by decades in power, saw through it all.
He felt only guilt and pity for Lina.
"Lina," he said gently, handing her a small box, "your grandfather owes you an engagement banquet. Take this. Don't despise a humble gift."
Tia sneered inwardly.
A plain box—no jewels, no checks. How fitting.
Lina accepted it calmly. "Thank you, Grandfather."
Tia stepped closer, feigning warmth. "Aren't you curious? Grandpa Black's gifts are always extraordinary. Perhaps something even I've never seen."
She wanted Lina embarrassed.
But Elder Mr. Black's gaze sharpened.
Did they truly believe they could bully his future granddaughter-in-law right in front of him?
Did they think age had dulled his claws?
How laughable.
How foolish.
And utterly unforgivable.