CHAPTER 303

Grayson's eyes widened in response as he stood rooted to the spot dazedly, still unable to utter a word.

"You can't be serious, Grayson?!" Lucas was so livid that he wanted to beat some sense into his brother. "Grayson, can't you wake up?! She only had eyes for Seb when she was still lofty, and now, she's even willing to use dirty tricks on Seb so that she can marry him. Once she's down and out and exiled from our family, she'll lie about finally realizing what she wants and that you're the one she wants to marry because she sees her true love in you. Anyone with the right mind can tell she's using you! You don't really think she'll come around and fall in love with you, do you?"

Grayson's lips trembled. "Lucas, don't speak of Ann like this. She's not that kind of person… I admit that she's in the wrong for plotting against Seb, but this is love. It can turn a person into a madman and do insane things. Take me, for instance…"

At that, he chuckled wryly. "You guys think I'm insane too, don't you? I don't want to fall in love with Ann either, and I want to love a woman you guys will approve of. However, I can't help myself…"

He shook his head in pain. "It's my relationship, but I can't call the shots. I've tried; I really have, but I just can't do it…"

He kept telling himself that the person Ann loved was Sebastian, and he shouldn't fall in love with a woman who loved his brother. That was sick, but he just couldn't do it.

He had tried so hard for so long. He even wished he could gouge Ann out from his heart with a knife.

He had many sharp scalpels for that, but he just couldn't bring himself to do so.

"I swear, you…" Lucas was so livid that he turned around, wanting to pry his skull open to see just what he had stored in there.

"Grayson, we grew up together. No one but us knows you better," said Sebastian plainly as he looked at his brother. "Knowing you, you'll surely believe everything Ann says with a bit of coaxing. Not only will you believe whatever she says, but you'll even marry her and fulfill this dream you've had for years."

"Seb, I…" That was all he said before he went silent again.

He couldn't retort, for he didn't have the confidence to tell his brother that he wouldn't be like what Sebastian said, nor would he marry Ann because he wasn't sure if he would be able to do that.

Perhaps it would really be like how Sebastian put it; he'd marry Ann even if it cost him everything once she begged him.

Since he couldn't do it, he didn't want to vow.

He didn't want to be a rat that broke his vows, and he especially didn't want to lie to his brothers.

Seeing how Grayson didn't deny it, Lucas snapped with exasperation, "Grayson, you're not going to like what I say, but I'm still going to say it anyway. If you dare marry her, I will not show up at your wedding, nor will I acknowledge her as my sister-in-law! You can forget about ever seeing me give a f*ck about her!"

Grayson looked helplessly at him in response, unable to utter a word.

"Grayson, I want you to listen carefully to what I'm about to say next." Sebastian looked gravely at Grayson. "Once you marry Ann, I will announce to the public that you have been disowned, and the Hart Family will reclaim all that we've given you, including all your existing assets and the hospital that's in your hands… Do you have any objections?"

At that, Grayson looked into Sebastian's eyes and said earnestly, "Seb, I don't know if I will marry Ann, but I'm certain of this. You can take whatever's mine whenever, including my life. All that I have today is thanks to you and Father. If it weren't for you guys, I'd be long dead. To me, you and Father are above all. No matter what you and Father reclaim from me, I will return it unreservedly without a single complaint!"

"Very good." Sebastian nodded. "I'll still give you a day to think about it. If you still accept it by then, I want you to sign a written agreement with me."

"I don't need to reconsider," said Grayson in a heartbeat. "I can sign it now!"

"Alright, as you wish." Sebastian smirked. "I'll have Carlisle come over."

Carlisle Selwyn was the lead attorney of Hart Corporation's legal team and one of Sebastian's confidants.

Grayson knew well that Sebastian was serious when he now added Carlisle to the picture, but he didn't stop his brother.

He wasn't lying; everything he said to Sebastian just now came from the bottom of his heart.

All that he had, including his life, was given to him by his adoptive father and brother. If it weren't for them, he'd have long died without a sliver of dignity left in him.

If he disappointed Sebastian one day and that Philip or Sebastian wanted to reclaim whatever they had given him, he'd willingly return them on a silver platter.

It was the least he owed them, and he thought it still wasn't enough as repayment even if he gave them all that was his.

After texting Carlisle, Sebastian put his phone away and turned back to Grayson. "The written agreement will only indicate that you have to return all that's given to you and leave the Hart Family empty-handed once you marry Ann Evans. Also, all your connections to the Hart Family will henceforth be severed, and you'll no longer be a young master of the Hart Family—"

"Seb…" Grayson interjected in a fluster. "I can return every single thing that's given to me, but can we please not cut ties? I—"

"Let me finish." Sebastian put his hand up, stopping him. "Like I said, the four of us grew up together. Even if you've disappointed me, I will never get upset to the point of disowning you. You don't get what I'm trying to say. I meant that it'll only be indicated in the written agreement…"

"I think I get it…" Lucas turned to Sebastian and asked, "Seb, is the agreement for Ann to see?"

Grayson was rendered stumped. Written for Ann to see? What? I don't get it.

This was an agreement between him and Sebastian. Why would Lucas say the agreement was written for Ann to see?

Seeing how lost Grayson was, Lucas shook his head and sighed. "No wonder people say the onlookers see most of the game. Grayson, you're usually more shrewd than this, but now, you look like a buffoon!"

Lucas was the playful and mischievous one, while Grayson was the total opposite; he was reticent and a man of few words.

If it were in the past, Grayson would've glared daggers at Lucas and told him to shut up when Lucas teased him like this. However, he was not in the mood that day, only looking absolutely lost.

"Grayson…" Lucas playfully put an arm around Grayson's shoulders and said, "I bet what Seb wants you to do is to show Ann this agreement if she wants to marry you. Maybe she'll start having second thoughts after reading it. After all, she wants to marry you not because she loves you, but because you're her best and probably only option!"

At that, he tilted his head and looked at Sebastian. "I'm right, aren't I, Seb?" Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.