Chapter 4

Joseph took it, signed it as well, and then handed the agreement to the bodyguard behind him. "Keep this safe. Once we register the marriage, put together a copy for her."

"Yes, young master."

After signing, Joseph's mood had clearly improved.

Just then his phone rang. Joseph glanced at it and smiled. "My dad's already at your place."

I looked at my phone; there wasn't a single message. "That fast?"

"He's happy." Joseph tossed his phone onto the table. "He even said he'd give me a yacht next month."

I was about to say what did that have to do with me, but he read my mind and shot me a glance. "I'll split it with you then."

I sipped my drink and laughed. "Mr. Gilbert's this generous about getting married?"

He said it with complete conviction. "My love life has been very full, but marriage really is a first. If you need anything else, just say the word."

I couldn't help but laugh. "There's really nothing."

Joseph was in a great mood. He called the manager over on the spot, and with a sweep of his hand, booked out the entire Ginza Lounge.

That was when my mom called too.

The private room was too noisy, so I stepped out to find a quiet spot to take the call.

The moment it connected, her first words were, "Well, look at you, sweetheart—pulling off something this big without a peep."

I leaned against the wall. "Mom, stop teasing me."

Her voice was full of joy she couldn't hold back. "Sweetheart, you should have seen it. When your dad found out you broke up with Lionel Henson and were going to marry into the Gilbert family, he was so happy he stomped his foot—cracked one of my handmade floor tiles clean through. And that thirty-million-dollar project meeting? He pushed it aside right in the middle and went straight off to see old Mr. Gilbert."

"Is all that really necessary?"

"How is it not necessary?" my mom huffed. "Your dad and I have been waiting for this day for six years."

Then her tone grew heavier. "We never could stand that social climber—leaving him was the right call, and the sooner the better. Your parents would never do you harm, and the Gilberts certainly wouldn't either. Oh, your finally seeing it clearly settles one of the biggest things weighing on your father's heart."

"I guess so."

We talked a little more and then hung up.

I headed back the way I'd come, but after circling around twice, I couldn't find my way.

Which way was it again? I looked around, but nothing looked familiar.

Just as I was about to find a server to ask for directions, a burst of cheering came from not far off, and I turned toward the sound.

It was Lionel Henson and his group.

They were seated toward the back of the hall, surrounded by friends.

Word that Joseph had booked out the whole Ginza Lounge tonight had already spread, and everyone in the hall was marveling at how lavish Mr. Gilbert was.

Someone slung an arm around Lionel's shoulder and joked, "Lionel, your luck is unreal—you get married and Mr. Gilbert happens to book the whole place. You saved yourself a fortune this time."

The man beside him jumped in right away. "What are you talking about? What do you mean, 'happens to'? Do you know how tight Mr. Gilbert and Lionel are? This is clearly Mr. Gilbert hearing his buddy's getting married and putting on a show for him!"

Lionel leaned back on the sofa, basking in his friends' flattery. He smiled and took a sip of his drink. "Maybe."

The people around him got even more worked up. "You two are really close, and Mr. Gilbert really does stand by his friends—a place this expensive, and he books it just like that."

Melanie leaned against him, her eyes lighting up. "Honey, are you and Mr. Gilbert really that close?"

Lionel chuckled. "Pretty close. We've known each other for years. When he comes down in a bit, I'll introduce you."

"Sure."

Just then the manager personally led some people over with three bottles of whiskey. The manager walked up to Lionel with a broad smile. "Mr. Henson, Mr. Gilbert had these sent over for you."

Lionel was pleasantly surprised too. "Joseph sent these?"

The manager smiled and confirmed, "Yes. Mr. Gilbert heard your happy occasion is coming up and asked me to wish the two of you a happy marriage."

The crowd immediately broke into another round of cheering, and Lionel's expression grew even more confident. "See, I told you Joseph stands by his friends."

Lionel looked the bottle over carefully, then flashed it to the buddy next to him and said quietly, "This stuff runs thirty thousand a bottle."

He had someone open it and asked offhandedly, "Where's Joseph? How come he isn't here?"

The manager answered honestly, "Mr. Gilbert is getting engaged today. He should be down once he's finished."

The cup in Lionel's hand paused. "Engaged?"

"Yes."

Lionel frowned. "When did that happen?"

"Just tonight."

Lionel turned to his friends. "Joseph's getting engaged—did any of you know?"

Everyone shook their heads, and someone even joked, "Mr. Gilbert really keeps things close to the vest—not a word to anyone about something this big."

Lionel was silent for a few seconds, then pressed the manager further. "Who is Joseph engaged to?"