Chapter 5: Asher Knightley, himself!

Juniper could never have imagined that the company she had been working so hard to make prosperous was actually on the verge of bankruptcy.

"How is this possible?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

Mark stood up, placed a hand on her shoulder, and declared, "This isn't about a mistake I made. It's just how life is. I invested a lot of money in a business, and this is the result."

"Well, then we have to find a way to make a comeback instead of thinking of marrying me off," Juniper argued.

Shane walked to her side, sat down beside her, and spoke in a comforting voice. "Dear, we're doing this for your own good. It's for the sake of the family and for yourself."

Juniper angrily brushed off her mother's hand, stared directly at her, and declared, "You're doing this for yourself."

She stormed off before they could call her back.

"What are we going to do? She's just as stubborn as always," Shane said with a defeated look.

Mark sat there, his hand on his chin, deep in thought.

"Well, say something," Shane said angrily when she noticed her husband wasn't responding.

"I think I know what to do," Mark finally said.

"It better be something good. You know how stubborn she can be. It won't matter whether the family goes bankrupt or not, she won't agree until something is done," Shane said urgently.

Mark looked at her sternly and declared, "Don't worry, something will be done about this. Let's just be patient."

Unbeknownst to Juniper, her parents were already planning how to make her agree to their request.

Juniper walked down the stairs with an infuriated look. Just as she reached the bottom of the stairs, the butler approached her.

"Miss, there are some people here to see your parents," the butler informed her.

Juniper looked calmly at the butler, her cold expression intact. "Who are they?" she asked with a curious look.

"They said they're from the Knightley family," the butler replied.

Juniper's answer surprised her. The only family she knew with the name Knightley was the most powerful family on the continent. Such a family that even first-tier families had a hard time getting in touch with them. Were they really here in her house?

Could this be a prank?

"Are you sure of what you're saying? Did they say the name Knightley and not Kingsley?" Juniper asked, just to be sure.

The butler stood with confidence and answered, "I'm very sure, Miss. I was even surprised when the driver said the Knightley family is here to see Master and Madam."

Juniper thought about it and decided to find out for herself.

"Okay, you go tell my parents about their arrival. I will go meet them myself to see if they're imposters or the real Knightley family," she instructed the butler, Mr. Zane.

Mr. Zane didn't argue with her, knowing how formidable his young miss could be. He trusted that she would be able to handle the situation if they were indeed imposters. With that, he left.

Juniper stood there for a few minutes and smirked. "Let's see the 'Knightley family' that just arrived. A royal welcome won't hurt."

She had taken just a few steps when a person came into view. He had long hair cascading over his shoulders, giving him an Apollo-like appearance. His aura exuded supremacy.

With just one glance, Juniper knew his identity was not simple. She felt a sense of familiarity but couldn't recall where exactly. She didn't have time to dwell on it as she had other concerns to attend to.

"I never knew this is how the Reed family welcomes their guests," his majestic voice sounded, bringing her back from her thoughts.

With a frown, Juniper asked, "Who are you, and what do you want?"

Asher smiled as he walked closer to her, bringing his face close to hers. Juniper didn't flinch or act shy. She calmly stood there, making no movement, as he looked deeply into her eyes.

"I'm here for your hand in marriage," Asher said with a smirk.

Juniper remained unfazed and calmly smiled as she looked away, crossing her arms in an imposing manner. "And who do you think you are to barge into my house without any invitation and utter such absurd words?"

"Someone who was welcomed by your family's butler. Do you have a problem with that?" Asher replied.

Juniper took a step forward and stood just a few inches from his face. Despite the difference in their heights, she showed no signs of intimidation.

"You think you own this mansion with your attitude?" she sneered, looking him up and down. She couldn't deny that he exuded wealth from head to toe, but she refused to acknowledge it. Imposters could dress like kings and trick people into fulfilling their own agendas. It was better to be open-minded than to be sorry later.

"Just because you can rent these things and pretend to be someone doesn't make you look like a god. Let me save you the embarrassment of being called out. Go get your fake butler and your fake car and get the hell out of here."

Asher wasn't offended. Instead, he took a few steps back, and his smile vanished into thin air, surprising Juniper, who sensed that something was off.

And she was proven right.

"Juniper, what do you think you're doing?" Mark's urgent voice could be heard from upstairs. 

Juniper turned around and saw her father and mother hurrying down the stairs to where they stood.

"I'm so sorry, Master Asher. Juniper can be a little overboard sometimes," Mark apologized with a sincere look.

Juniper could sense her father's actions and rebuked him. "Really, Dad? You believe that he is from the Knightley family? Well, then, would you believe every person in this city when they tell you they're related to the Knightley family?"

"Juniper, stop being a pain in the neck and apologize to the heir of the Knightley family," Mark said, anger evident on his face.

Juniper knew her father very well. He wasn't one to easily yield to someone. This could only mean one thing: he might be telling the truth.

"You can't be serious, right?" she said as she looked at Asher with a curious and bewildered expression.

Mark decided not to beat around the bush and laid everything out at once. "He is the heir of the Knightley family, Asher Knightley, your fiancé."

“WHAT!”

Juniper's eyes darted from her parents to Asher in shock. She couldn't comprehend what was happening. The revelation left her speechless, her mind racing to process the sudden turn of events.