Fooling you

Chapter 3 : Proceeding with devilish plan

At the most exclusive shopping mall, two lovebirds were caught in a playful bicker. The woman's cheeks flushed red as she exclaimed, "Ed! Why did you do that in public? I was on the phone!" Eve pouted, her voice a mix of protest and embarrassment, as she swatted at Edmund. He only grinned mischievously in response, his fingers lightly tracing the fresh mark he'd just left on her neck.

Leaning in close, his breath warm against her ear, Edmund whispered suggestively, "Why were you calling him in the first place?" His voice was thick with possessiveness, sending a shiver down Eve's spine. His fingers lingered on her neck, a silent reminder of his claim on her, as his intense gaze left little room for her to protest. They were on a date, and Eve had made the call while Edmund was briefly away. It always amazed her how quickly he seemed to sense when she was in contact with another man.

Eve's blush deepened, her confidence wavering under the intensity of Edmund's gaze. "T—Tatiana mentioned her adoptive little sister," she stammered, "and hinted she might try setting them up. She doesn't usually get involved in matchmaking, but she made an exception because it was her little sister who asked. The only other time she did something like this was with that Stanford guy—"

Before she could finish, Edmund's teeth grazed her ear, sending a delicious shiver down her spine. His jealousy flared for a brief moment but then started to fade, his possessiveness morphing into something almost predatory. The memory of Tatiana trying to pair Eve with another man still lingered in his mind, a bitter reminder of how easily she could have been with someone else.

Eve, painfully aware of the people around them, felt her face heat up even more. They were in public, after all, and she could feel the curious gazes of onlookers burning into them. She squirmed slightly, embarrassed by the scene they were causing, but Edmund was utterly unfazed. In fact, the attention seemed to amuse him, only adding fuel to his possessive nature.

"—Ed! People are staring," she whispered urgently, her voice a mix of protest and pleading. But Edmund's only response was a mischievous smile, his lips dangerously close to her ear. But then, the mention of Tatiana's matchmaking made him pause, his playful demeanor giving way to genuine puzzlement. He pulled back slightly, his brow furrowing as he tried to make sense of it.

Edmund was genuinely puzzled. His sister Tatiana, often called the "Ice Queen" for her striking beauty and frosty demeanor, was not one to form close bonds easily, especially with other women. He vividly recalled how she kept a deliberate distance from his childhood friends—Daisy, Bianca, and Diane—never letting them get too close. Tatiana was always polite but unapproachable, as if she had erected an impenetrable fortress around her emotions.

What made this Violette different? Why would Tatiana, who had been so deeply scarred by a failed matchmaking attempt in the past, suddenly take such a personal interest? Edmund knew all too well the story behind his sister's reluctance. Years ago, Tatiana had tried to set up her closest friend with someone she thought would be perfect. But when the relationship fell apart, Tatiana was unfairly blamed, despite only acting on her friend's request. The incident had left her deeply hurt, even more withdrawn, and vowing never to meddle in anyone's love life again. It was only for him, her little brother, that she ever made an exception.

So why now? And why Violette—the so-called little sister he never knew she had? Before Edmund could dwell even further, Eve suddenly exclaimed, "Ah! I remember now—she's a princess of a small country! I completely overlooked that because Tatiana was so focused on telling me stories about her amazing personality and how lovable she is. She really pushed the idea of introducing her to Evan. And she's coming to stay at your estate tonight!"

Edmund's thoughts screeched to a halt. A princess? That certainly explained some things, but it raised even more questions. Why had Tatiana, the ever-cautious and reserved "Ice Queen," suddenly gone out of her way to champion this princess? What was her true purpose in introducing Violette to Evan? And most baffling of all—why had she never mentioned this so-called god-sister to the family?