Chapter 17: Miserable Families
Irene rubbed her cold hands repeatedly. Occasionally she would bite her thumb or open her phone to search for information about the Delacroix family. Unfortunately, some family members were very secretive, so she didn't get much information from the media.
"You need to relax so they don't underestimate you," Sebastian reminded her.
"Easy for you to say." Irene looked away from the car, not wanting to see a member of the Delacroix family next to her. "No matter how perfect I act, as long as they don't like me, they will find a way to attack my flaw."
Sebastian let out a forlorn sigh. "Maybe you're right. But will you give up when they attack your weak side?"
Irene curved up the corner of her mouth. She turned her head to Sebastian and then spoke confidently. "If they attack my weak side, I will fight back."
That was what Irene had always done to her own family to survive. Whenever her family talked about her flaws to lower her self-esteem, Irene would also look for their flaws until they shut their mouths tightly.
"But to do that, I need a traitor in your family," her emerald eyes became sharper as she looked at Sebastian. "Would you like to be that traitor and defend your fiancé, Sebastian?"
Sebastian smiled broadly. "You always interest me, my dear. If I betray them, will I see an interesting show from you?"
"Oh, just wait and see," Irene said confidently.
Irene listened to every word that came out of Sebastian's mouth, noting it carefully in her mind, even intending to bury the information in her subconscious so that she would never forget it.
Every family, without exception, always had some shame they wanted to hide from others. Moreover, wealthy families like the Delacroix knew that the media were in their hands, so they often acted as if nothing could bring them down.
"You don't have to be too nervous though, because they're just my nuclear family, not my extended family," Sebastian said nonchalantly. "They don't have too much courage to bother me."
"Why is that?"
Actually, Irene had wondered why Sebastian was able to surpass his father in controlling most of Croix Company. He also never made it into the family photos spread in the media, so no one knew he was Philip Delacroix's first son.
Irene was able to find out about that because of Sebastian's relationship with Heather. If Sebastian's sister had not come to his house, Irene would never have known about his parents.
"I have someone powerful behind my back," Sebastian explained.
There was no trace of fear on his face as if the family he was about to meet were just a bunch of worthless pebbles. From his behavior, Irene could deduce that Philip must hate him instead of being proud of his accomplishments.
To Irene, it was so ironic.
Irene had always dedicated her entire life to working hard to have accomplishments that would make her father proud. However, Sebastian had so many accomplishments that he couldn't even count them on his fingers, but he still couldn't make his parents love him.
"What are you thinking about right now?" asked Sebastian.
"Nothing." Irene mumbled, "I think our families are miserable."
• •
Unlike Sebastian's house, which was in the suburbs or even in the middle of the forest, Philip Delacroix's mansion was in the capital.
It was not far from the presidential palace, as if the Delacroix family wanted to blatantly tell Rithora Country that their family also owned the country's economy.
"I see why you have a narcissistic attitude." Irene tidied her hair as their car entered the manor gate.
Sebastian corrected her, "I'm not narcissistic, but full of confidence."
Irene narrowed her eyes, not knowing the difference between the two. Moments later, her attention was completely diverted when she saw the magnificent building before her.
She thought Sebastian's house was already luxurious and grand, but her thoughts were immediately shattered when Philip Delacroix's mansion looked more like a palace than a house.
The ratio between the size of the courtyard and the main building was almost equal, making Irene think that she would have to work until her bones broke to afford a house like that.
The butler stood in front of the house and bowed as soon as Sebastian and Irene got out of the car. "Welcome home, Young Master."
He glanced at Irene before speaking politely. "Nice to meet you, Miss Russell. I have heard a lot about you."
Irene laughed awkwardly and mumbled. "I'm sure it's not a good thing."
Her name had been in the media a few days ago as someone who was jealous of her own sister's accomplishments. That kind of exposure would make people have a bad opinion of her.
As she thought of various bad scenarios, she suddenly felt a hand wrapped around her waist, making her realize she had not come to that place alone.
"They don't have the right to reject you as my future wife. You can mark my words," Sebastian assured her.
Although Irene did not understand why his family could not reject his choice, she decided to trust his words.
After all, what did Irene have to fear when she was under the protection of a man who could control a dozen companies in his hands?
Family hierarchy was important, but money could speak louder.
"Sebastian! You come!"
Irene saw Heather run out and jumped at Sebastian. Her face was covered in big smiles and blushes, a sign that she was delighted to see her brother.
Irene felt goosebumps as she remembered the rumors about their relationship, but she dismissed those thoughts as soon as she saw Sebastian pushing her sister.
"Watch your attitude, Heather. I don't want people misunderstanding me again," Sebastian said coldly.
Heather wrapped her hand around Sebastian's arm and pulled him away from Irene. "Why are you so afraid of the rumors?"
"I'm not afraid, but I'm trying to protect our reputation." Sebastian let go of Heather's hand and took Irene's again. "Let's go inside, Mom and Dad must be waiting for us."
Heather clicked her tongue when she saw Sebastian standing next to Irene instead of her, but a smile returned to her face as she said, "We also have a special guest tonight."
Sebastian raised his eyebrows. "Who?"
Heather emphasized every word that came out of her mouth. "Your future wife."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone