THE RETURN OF THE HIDDEN HEIR

Chapter 005: Fiancée at the Gate

Outside the Lorenzo villa, elegant lanterns lined the pristine driveway, and it was calm and luxurious–the direct opposite of the chaos going on in Derrick's mind.

"Sir, at least let me come with you," Dominic said beside him. "You're meeting a distinguished family, and it's proper etiquette if I'm there too."

"No," Derrick brushed him off immediately. "That won't be necessary."

This was the umpteenth time Derrick was turning down the request, but Dominic tried once more, this time dramatically placing a hand on his chest.

"But the Lorenzo women, sir. Half the men in the city dream about them every night!"

"Well, I'm not here to dream," Derrick replied, turning to Dominic with an evil smile. "I'm here to break off an engagement."

Dominic inhaled sharply as if Derrick had just blasphemed against the pure heavens. "But sir, you should settle down early before building your career. At least, have some girl to manage your daily–"

"No."

"Sir–"

"Dominic please," Derrick interrupted, rubbing his temple.

"Alright," Dominic exhaled. "Good luck then, sir."

With that, he turned and walked away.

I need more than luck on this one, Derrick thought. I need a miracle.

He silently prayed his fiancée wouldn't turn out to be Ivy's sister. Sleeping with a potential sister-in-law was something that even he, a man with a much complicated past, could not explain away.

The universe wouldn't be that cruel, would it? It couldn't–

"What the hell are you doing here?"

The familiar voice hit him like a brick. Derrick froze.

Slowly, more like someone turning to face a monster, he looked over his shoulder.

There she stood. Ivy Lorenzo.

Her arms were crossed, and her expression was dark, sharp and suspicious. She looked like one that was just seconds away from stabbing him with her heels.

"I-Ivy," Derrick forced out a smile that made him look stupid. "Fancy seeing you–"

"Shut up." Ivy glared. "Why did you follow me here?"

"What? No, I couldn't have–"

"Save it, please," Ivy scoffed. "You think I don't know exactly how scumbags like you work? You sleep with someone and then stalk them–show up at their house and demand money. Don't waste my time. Just leave before you embarrass yourself."

For a moment, Derrick considered explaining. But which part could he even say?

I might be engaged to your sister. Or you. No, someone else in your family.

Right. That would sound perfectly rational.

"Ivy, listen to me. It's not exactly what you–"

"I don't give a damn. Leave now!"

They stood locked in a tense standoff, Ivy's glare still sharp. She drew in a breath, her lips parting in clear readiness to unleash another round of insults on him. But just at that moment, the iron gates suddenly groaned and swung open.

"Ivy! What on earth are you doing arguing at the entrance?" A stern voice scolded immediately.

An elderly man approached. White hair neatly brushed, posture quite strong, and expression full of authority. He walked forward carrying the weight of command in every step of his. Derrick stared at the man, trying really hard to recall if he had seen his face somewhere in the past. He was all blank.

"We have an important guest arriving! Have you no sense of–" The old man started to say, but stopped mid-sentence as his eyes landed on Derrick. The transformation that followed was instant, as his face lit up with recognition.

Then, he bowed deeply.

"Mr. Morgan," he greeted with utmost respect. "Welcome, welcome. We've been waiting for you."

Ivy's jaw dropped, and Derrick stiffened. She rushed forward, grabbing the old man's arm.

"Grandpa?! Why are you bowing to this...nobody? He's of little worth, and I mean it! He's just a–"

"Silence!" her grandfather barked, and she instantly sensed the anger and seriousness in his tone. "Don't be rude! This young man is our honoured guest today. "

"Huh? What honored guest?" Ivy demanded, stealing a very quick glance at Derrick.

Her grandfather ignored her, gesturing respectfully to Derrick.

"Please, do well to come into my humble abode. Your visit today is very important to the Lorenzo family."

Derrick candidly wished that a hole would just appear beneath and swallow him whole. Ivy, on the other hand, looked like she'd been struck with an unforgiving lightning.

"Grandpa," she whispered, still utterly confused. "Why are you greeting him that way?"

Her grandfather simply sighed, patting her shoulder with a mix of affection and pride.

"Because," he said, his wrinkled face beaming, "he is my future grandson-in-law."

Ivy stared at her grandfather for a while. Then she exploded. "What?!"

The old man paused, his expression tightening in measured assessment, the way a man with decades of experience processes something that doesn't quite add up. Then, he realized he hadn't introduced them to each other yet.

"Oh–pardon my age and pace please." He chuckled, pulling Ivy to Derrick's side. "My sincerest apologies, Mr. Morgan. This is my granddaughter, Ivy Lorenzo. A smart and independent girl. Oh, she could be a little stubborn at times, but she's gifted with an excellent heart. You two will make a fine match."

Derrick felt relieved a little–at least it wasn't any of Ivy's sisters that was the subject of discussion. But then, the lady standing beside him still wasn't a better option.

Ivy stared at her grandfather like he had just lost his mind.

Yes, that's it, she thought. So, she let out a smile, staring at her grandfather and hoping that he too would laugh or something.

But he didn't, and that was when pure terror struck her.

With fire blazing in her eyes, she took fast steps away from Derrick and declared, "I will never marry this man! I don't want to have anything to do with him! Ever!"

"Ivy–"

"Grandpa please," she interrupted, pointing an accusing finger at Derrick. "This man isn't worthy of my love, and I won't give it to him. Not now, not ever!"

Derrick closed his eyes, trying really hard not to rain curses on his master for putting him in such a ridiculous situation.