The Real Princess Doesn’t Need A Prince Chapter 06

The Real Princess Doesn’t Need A Prince Chapter 06

The next morning, Preston’s father, Harrison Ford, called my father.

Apparently, he apologized profusely, blaming his son’s youth and promising discipline.

My father stayed polite and noncommittal. Then he dropped the bomb. “Harrison, let’s put the engagement on hold for now. The young people should figure things out themselves.”

Polite wording. Clear message: the Sterlings were reconsidering the alliance.

Harrison panicked. That same afternoon, he and Preston showed up at our estate.

I heard about it later from the butler: Preston was chewed out in front of the entire Sterling family for half an hour. The humiliation was complete.

But that was just the appetizer.

Three days later, Preston learned that Sterling Group had pulled funding from the overseas investment project he’d been pitching.

Not a fatal blow, but enough to send his father through the roof.

Then two subsidiaries that had been working with Sterling Group got notices: contracts would expire and not be renewed.

The business world smelled blood. Something was happening between the Sterlings and the Fords.

Within a week, the Fords lost three major deals. The total damage was enough to fund Serena Snow’s education through a PhD. Twice.

Preston couldn’t stay away anymore. He called me a dozen times. I ignored every single one.

Finally, he showed up outside the school gates. Mandy and Zara flanked me like Secret Service agents, arms locked, ready to throw down.

Preston looked haggard. Stubble shadowed his jaw. His suit was wrinkled.

“Vivian, let’s talk.” His voice was worn out.

“I have nothing to say to you.” I didn’t break stride.

He chased after me. “I know I messed up. I was impulsive. I shouldn’t have thrown that coffee. Just tell your father to pull back, let’s sort this out like adults—”

“Preston.” I stopped and turned. “Are you here because you’re sorry, or because your father’s company is bleeding?”

His mouth opened, but nothing came out.

I smiled. “See? Even you don’t know.”

I walked away. His voice, desperate and angry, trailed behind me. “Vivian! Our families have been allied for years! Are you really going to burn that down?”

I didn’t look back.

Allies? Funny how that didn’t matter when he was lecturing me in front of everyone.