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grandfather was mocking her. She also saw that look whenever he made a ruthless business deal or crushed his enemy. Right now, he had that look in his eyes along with another malicious gleam.
    Yet at the same time, as Cassia went over the words in her mind, her heart started to beat a frantic rhythm. Only one phrase stood out: Nikos asked for her hand in marriage.
    “N-Nikos...?”
    “Yes. Nikos Demakis. I did not know that you had it in you to catch yourself a husband. And for that, I congratulate you. Nikos is a very intelligent man. He is cunning and extremely good in business. I think he will do well for our company.”
    Cassia remained silent for she still refused to believe any of this. She knew that Costas was cruel and this may all be some kind of a sick joke.
    “I have to warn you, though. Nikos used to date actresses and supermodels. Of course, as his wife you will have a higher status. But men like that would tend to stray... If you can handle it, good. If you cannot, then just divorce him,” Costas advised.  He said it in a tone so casual that he sounded as if he was just discussing the weather.
    Yet again, Cassia was forced to reel in her temper. She stared straight ahead and glared at the leather seats instead of glaring at her grandfather.
    A few minutes of silence passed before Costas spoke once more.
    “Now let’s get a few things straight. And look at me when I am talking to you!” Costas shouted.
    Cassia fought the urge to roll her eyes and inclined her head to the side to look at her only remaining family, who also happened to be the man she hated the most.
    “Yes, grandfather.” Costas allowed her to call him grandfather now for he was now in high spirits. He’s finally getting what he wanted so he decided to be a bit more amiable to his granddaughter . He drank some more champagne and smiled as he prepared to deliver his lie.
    “Good. I want this marriage to push through. Merging Demakis Shipping with Andrade Shipping would mean greater business for us—“
    “Why? Isn’t Demakis Shipping already about to close? I read in the newspapers that they are nearing bankruptcy and that there are a lot of controversies about their current business,” Cassia interrupted.
    “That is none of your concern! Your concern now would be your marriage to the Demakis boy. This merger is my concern and I am not asking for your opinion!” Costas snarled.
    “But—“
    “Silence!” Costas shouted and raised his hand to strike his granddaughter. However, at the last moment, he was able to control himself. He could not hit her now for it was her engagement party. If he marked her face somehow, people would talk. With that, he was forced to keep his temper in check.
    “Now.As I was saying... Do everything you can to make people believe that this is real. There will be rumors that the marriage is just for the merger. But that is not true. Nikos met you and he asked me for your hand in marriage,” Costas lied once more.
    “Yes,” Cassia replied in a very low tone. She still refused to believe her grandfather and she promised herself that she would get to the bottom of this mystery.
    She finished the champagne in her glass in one gulp. Right on time they arrived at the driveway of Andrade Shipping International Headquarters . It was a tall skyscraper in the heart of the metropolis. Right now, the whole building had been transformed from a drab gray corporate headquarters and into a glittering hall filled with decorations and festivities.
    Hundreds of lanterns lit the driveway and a red carpet was rolled out in the center. Cassia watched her grandfather exit the limousine and then waited for him to open the door for her.
    Once the door opened, she was forced to play the part of being Costas Andrade’s dutiful granddaughter once more.
    She placed her hand on her grandfather’s arm and let him escort her. She also smiled to the media and forced a smile for him. She answered him politely when he made small