Jack Hardy The Legacy Returns

012 Power Couple

As soon as David proposed to her, all the cameras and microphones turned towards Juliet for her response. It was a major celebrity moment that would dominate headlines for days.

Juliet and David used to be childhood friends when the Cross and Forbes families were close. Their grandfathers played golf every weekend and acted like brothers, even jokingly promising each other that they'd unite their families through marriage. But instead, the two companies became rivals.

Juliet took a slow breath and shook her head gently. "I'm sorry. I respect your gesture, but I can't marry you."

David's charming smile stayed in place. He wasn't about to give up so easily. In public, the Cross heir had a sterling reputation for his business acumen, leadership skills, and flawless character.

However, David's close friends knew the monster he was—a womaniser who preyed on young women as a hobby. He traveled the world, choosing his victims from among innocent, unsuspecting ones. Juliet was the one beast he had never been able to tame.

"Juliet, we grew up together, remember?" he began. "I asked you out every summer at the holiday lake house, and you always said no, but I knew you felt something."

"I have been waiting all these years, never dating anybody else. Now the time is ripe. We belong together as a couple. Moreover, our families uniting would end this stupid rivalry once and for all. Just say yes."

Juliet pursed her lips and glanced sideways at Jack. He stood two steps behind her, completely relaxed, flipping through a fashion magazine he had picked up from the lobby table.

The young heiress felt a flash of anger against him. His future wife was being proposed to in front of the entire city, while he ogled bikini supermodels! She sighed inwardly, regretting that she had dragged the worst man ever into her life.

The reporters leaned in closer, while Forbes staff whispered loudly enough for her to hear. "Say yes!" someone shouted from the crowd.

"You two are perfect together!" another voice called.

Phones were held high, live-streaming the moment to thousands already. The pressure felt like a physical weight on the beauty's shoulders.

"The reason I can't marry you is…" Juliet declared. "I already have a fiancé. The wedding will be announced soon after the details are finalized."

Gasps rippled through the plaza like a wave. "Who is he?" a reporter yelled. "Is it one of the big five heirs of Redmont City?"

"Is he a Hollywood celebrity? Tell us the name right now!"

Juliet couldn't obviously tell the crowd her future husband was a homeless bum who slept on beach benches. She kept her chin high. "The name will be announced at the right time. For now, that's all I can say."

David's smile faltered for the first time. "Whoever this mystery fiancé is, I swear I'm better than him. I can go one-on-one against that man right here. Summon him!"

"That's not necessary," Juliet said firmly, stepping back a half step. "I've already made the decision, and it is final. I'll invite you to the wedding as a friend. Let's keep things civil for old times' sake."

But David's face darkened quickly. The charming smile vanished, replaced by something possessive. He lunged forward and grabbed her wrist.

"We are a perfect match! Why are you denying something inevitable? I will make you the happiest woman alive. We'll be an unstoppable power couple! Stop fighting!"

Juliet struggled against David's vice grip, trying to pull free, and pain shot up her arm like fire. The security hesitated, unsure whether to intervene in such a public moment between two powerful families.

"Let me go…" Juliet urged. "You're hurting me…"

"Just agree to marry me! Don't resist! Say yes!"

At that exact moment, a loud smack echoed across the plaza. David howled and released Juliet's wrist instantly, clutching his hand like it had been burned.

The skin was already turning bright red. He staggered back, his eyes wide with shock and rage.

A tall, muscular man stood beside Juliet with a fashion magazine rolled tightly in his hand like a baton. He had moved so fast that no one had seen it coming.

"Hands off her," Jack said calmly. "The next time you touch Juliet, you will permanently lose that hand."

David stared at him incredulously, cradling his stinging hand, his face twisted from pain to fury. "Who the hell are you?"