CHAPTER 397

Ann dared not say that she had never violated the law. She believed that if she had the nerve to say so, Sebastian would definitely take the lid off everything she had done in front of these people. By then, everyone would know what she had done to him, and she would disgrace herself completely before his childhood friends. She would vanish from high society, never to redeem herself.

Looking at Sebastian tearfully, she nodded repeatedly, saying, "Okay, okay… I got it now… I'm a cousin you've grown up with as a child, but I'm nothing in your mind's eye. From now on… I'll stay away from you. I won't bother you anymore!" With that, she turned around and ran away with her hand clapped over her mouth, as if she had been severely mistreated.

Grayson wanted to run after her, but Sebastian stopped him. "Stay where you are." His tone was languid and impassive. "You haven't told me your choice yet."

Grayson was lost for words. Did he even need to make a choice? He owed his life to Philip and was brought up by the Harts; everything he owned was given to him by the Hart Family. As long as he was still breathing, there was no way he would leave the Hart Family and betray his father and brother in his lifetime. If he had to choose between the Hart Family and Ann, he'd only choose the former, of course.

However… he felt really bad about it. It wasn't that he was oblivious to Ann's various shortcomings, but he could always recall how she had gently kept him company when he fell ill as a child. Due to his unsociable nature, he didn't like to socialize with people. Apart from his adoptive mother, Emma and Ann were the women closest to him in his life. He really wanted to marry Ann if he could, but now it was no longer possible… He hung his head and said softly, "Sebastian, I'll choose our family."

Sebastian stood up and walked up to him with a smile before patting him on the shoulder. Great. The efforts put into raising this younger brother of mine aren't in vain. Even if he's been blinded by love, he

still chooses our family. He's much better than those who disown their parents and run away from home for women! "Let's go back!" He led the way ahead of others, taking Joel in his left hand while leading Quincy in his right.

The group then returned to their private room. Instead of opening the door himself, Sebastian stepped aside and looked at Madeline.

Madeline looked around her in puzzlement.

Sebastian smiled at her. "Open the door."

"Me?" Madeline pointed at herself.

Sebastian nodded. "Yeah. You." Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Madeline was baffled by his words. Nevertheless, she stepped forward and opened the door.

When the door opened, the light coming from the room wasn't lamplight, but candlelight.

Startled, Madeline took a closer look at the room, which was as spacious as a racecourse. Countless candles were lit inside the room. In the center of the room was a number of candles arranged in the shape of a huge heart with fiery red roses covering their center.

Unable to come to her senses for a long time, Madeline gaped at everything before her in great surprise.

Releasing the two kids' hands, Sebastian held Madeline's hand and took her to the center of the candles. Then, he got down on one knee and held out a ring with his right hand, saying, "Maddie, will you marry me?"

Cupping his hands around his mouth, Jesse shouted at Sebastian, "Sebastian, how could you propose to her like this? This is too simple! Try again!"

Andrew, Bradley, Calvin, and others also shouted, "Try again! Try again! Try again!"

Sebastian smiled. Holding the ring in the palm of his right hand, he took Madeline's hand with his left hand, saying, "Maddie… I love you, and I'll cherish and protect you in the days to come. For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, I'll hold your hand and never leave you… Will you marry me?"

Madeline stared at the man in disbelief. She never expected him to prepare for such a ceremonious proposal tonight, nor did she expect him to actually pop the question to her. She had always thought that they were together for the sake of their two children, so his feelings for her were mostly those of responsibility. Because of that, she never expected him to go out of his way to propose to her in such a grand ceremony. She was so astonished that she was somewhat at a loss for what to do.

Unable to bear the sight any longer, Lucas shouted at her, "Madeline, what are you waiting for? Say yes!"

Madeline immediately came to her senses and nodded. "Yes, I will!"

Sebastian smiled and put the ring on her finger before standing up.

The crowd chanted, "Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her!"

Not daring to look at anyone, Madeline lowered her head as her cheeks blushed scarlet with shyness.

Letting out a chuckle, Sebastian put his arms around her slim waist before lowering his head to kiss her on the lips.

Stunned, Joel exclaimed, "Wow!"

Quincy covered his big eyes. "Kids aren't supposed to watch adults kiss."

Grayson covered Quincy's eyes. "You're also a kid."

Quincy was rendered speechless.

Madeline never expected Sebastian to kiss her. Even if he were to do so, she thought he'd only kiss her on the forehead or the cheek. Little did she think he would kiss her on the lips with great passion.

This was her first kiss. For the very first time, she was taken in a man's arms as his refreshing and manly scent greeted her nose. Her heart pounded so fast as though it were about to jump out of her chest. She didn't know how much time had passed; it wasn't until she felt out of breath and was about to have difficulty breathing that he finally let go of her.

A mixture of applause, whistles, and cheers broke out around the couple. Not daring to look up, she shyly buried her face in Sebastian's shoulder.

Sebastian let out a chuckle. Then, he lowered his head and whispered in her ear, asking, "Do you like it? You won't blame me for being blunt, right?"

"No… Of course I won't…" Madeline hugged him with trembling arms. "I-It feels like a dream… Thank you so much… Really, I'm so happy…" She felt so excited as though an electric current had spread throughout her body with a tingling sensation. Her mind was blank; she felt as if she was walking on air. She knew that she was feeling a mixture of nervousness, excitement, and happiness. She never thought Sebastian would propose to her, nor did she ever dare to have extravagant hopes about it. Now that she suddenly had all of this, she felt so lucky and happy… No words could describe her happiness. She couldn't help but ask, "What makes you think of proposing to me all of a sudden?"

Sebastian chuckled. "I feel that as my wife and the mother of my sons, you should have what everyone else has. Everything else can be compensated for after our marriage, but the marriage proposal can't. After our wedding, I'll have no opportunity to propose to you anymore. According to our Young Master Lucas, a woman's life is incomplete as long as she's never been proposed to…"

Madeline's face reddened, and her heart started to race. Not knowing what to say for a moment, she could only say repeatedly, "Thank you… Thank you so much…" By solemnly proposing to her before his childhood friends, he had treated her with the greatest respect and dignity. "I'll be nice to you in the future…" she promised solemnly. "From now on… I'll be as nice to you as I am to Aldo and Buddy!"