Fate To Fake: Loved by the Fallen; Fated to Kill the Divine

"Who are you?"

Leo blinked... For a second, he thought they had forgotten his name again. With a defeated sigh, he began, "My name is—"

"No." Evelina's voice cut him off,

"I asked… who are you among the billions of people?"

Leo was confused slightly, but Evelina continued,

"Take her father as an example. He is one of the top businessmen in the world. Everyone—literally every industry—knows who he is. With just the snap of his fingers…" she snapped her own fingers sharply,

"…he could get the perfect, most handsome, most talented fiancé for his daughter."

At that signal, Luna stepped forward without hesitation. She moved gracefully, taking an expensive handbag from the table. With practised precision, she opened it and pulled out a thick folder.

Inside were photos... dozens of them, men with striking features, dressed sharply, every one of them radiating wealth, status, and success, just from the photo!

She spread the photos out on the table like weapons as she gave a pathetic look at Leo.

"These are the candidates most suitable for my daughter. Physically, mentally and... financially." Evelina's tone was cold and almost businesslike. She slid the photos toward him, daring him to compare himself,

"Men with names that shake industries, that move money, that own entire cities. And then look at you..."

Adrian chuckled darkly, adding, "Honestly, it's insulting. My daughter's maid has more standing in this house than you. Even Luna, a servant, carries the Valentine name in her duty.

Yet, You?"

Leo didn't touch them. His eyes flicked down as he trembled, biting his lips.

Adrian smirked, leaning back into his seat with almost cosy satisfaction, his gaze sliding smugly toward his daughter. He wanted her to see the comparison, the humiliation.

What her parents chose and what she chose... so lowly and disgusting, right?

Sakura, however, frowned. She had never even heard of these so-called candidates before.

"Mother—" she started, her voice trembling.

"Dear, We accept whatever you claim to love..." Evelina interrupted coldly, her hand pointing straight at Leo like he was an object, not even a person.

"But in exchange, all we ask for… is a name.

Not like your father's. I know it's not possible to build an empire like his—it's something this boy could never hope to replicate. But…" Her eyes snapped back to Leo, piercing him, judging him.

"Enough to at least stand on our back side level... or at least enough to be at the foot of our world, right?"

When Sakura heard those words, her eyes widened in shock.

"M-Mother… that's disrespectful—" Sakura's voice broke as tears welled in her eyes.

She loved her parents dearly, and she knew they were worriers, protectors. But this… this cold, humiliating side of them… it was new, frightening.

It felt like her heart was being ripped apart.

She had never seen her parents like this before... so... repulsive?!

"Shut up!!" Evelina's voice roared across the room. Her eyes turned sharp,

"Do you know what you have done? Bringing someone like him into our house, into your bed… lying and—" She clenched her teeth so hard she nearly drew blood, unable to utter the rest as her head snapped toward Leo.

Leo lowered his gaze slightly, his hands tightening into fists at his knees.

"Fine… enough about you. What about your parents? At least do they have enough standing in society? Or…" Evelina shrugged her shoulders, her voice dipped in disdain.

Leo lowered his head, his voice breaking as he muttered so painfully soft it was almost inaudible. "My… my parents met with an accident and…"

"Dead?" Adrian cut him off with a cruel snort. "Just say it directly. Why bother coating it with tragic words? So you're an orphan?

An orphan dares to sit in my house, next to my daughter, as if they belong here? Do you even hear yourself?

Even talking straight at me... so wrong! Hah...

You're a stray dog that found its way into a palace. Do you know what they do to strays that wander too far? They kick them back into the street where they belong."

Leo clenched his fists tight and forced out through gritted teeth, "I... I. have. an. aunt, sir."

Adrian scoffed without hesitation. "That's no different. A pity handout from life." He sighed heavily, shaking his head in bitter disappointment. His gaze shifted back to his daughter, "I am disappointed in you, darling… so disappointed. Out of all men in this world, you chose a nameless orphan clinging to scraps."

"B-But he is a good man, Father… like you," Sakura said desperately, pointing toward Leo with trembling hope, her eyes pleading for him to see it.

"Good?" Adrian snorted again, his lips curling into a mocking grin. "Good men? Then I can already see his ending before my eyes. A pitiful death, forgotten in some gutter. That's what 'good' gets you." He leaned forward with his haughty expression.

He wasn't angry anymore. No, now he was simply curious—amused even.

"You don't need to become like me. Hmm… how about working as my car cleaner? Even that needs years of experience. Too bad, I don't even have a vacancy for a dog like you. Maybe a beggar's corner suits you better." He smirked.

Leo clenched his fist, veins bulging on his arms, his face barely holding back from lashing out... restrained!!

Evelina added sharply, "See? That's the truth of reality. It's not like we're doing this on purpose.

We're asking if you can do it—if you can reach our status. Then take our daughter. We wouldn't even object with a single word!

However… can you do it?"

Leo… didn't answer.

Of course, he didn't have any answer.

Evelina smirked, satisfied, glancing at her husband. Adrian exhaled, his clenched fists finally loosening as though everything had been settled by his wife. He leaned back, smug, seemingly content with how she handled it.

'That's my wife for you~' He thought with amused expression.

Evelina shook her head slowly, almost with pity. "I know people like you. Nobodies... Trying to seduce rich girls just to secure a roof over your pathetic life. You're not a suitor—you're a leech."

"MOTHER! THAT'S ENOUGH!!" Sakura finally snapped. Her voice cracked with fury, her eyes trembling, tears spilling over, "It was I who proposed to him, not the other way around!!"

Evelina turned to her daughter once, cold and dismissive, then ignored her completely. Her gaze went back to Leo, whose fists were shaking, his jaw tight with rage he was barely containing. Evelina only smirked,

"If you cannot even handle this… and you expect us to handle society for you?

For a nobody like him? People will laugh at us behind our backs, spit on our name.

Boy, be practical."

Adrian added, "You think love is enough? Love doesn't pay bills... Love doesn't protect her from vultures who would laugh at her choice.

If she walks with you, she doesn't walk as my daughter anymore—she walks as the wife of a nobody. Do you understand that shame?"

Evelina continued, "Even if she proposed to you, you should have stopped her. You should have known what level you are.

Is it that hard to know your place?

Mr… hmm. What's your name again?"

Leo's fists clenched harder, veins bulging on his forehead. His whole body trembled as he finally stood up. His voice came low and calm as if he had given up,

"…Thank you... For your hospitality," he said stiffly before turning and walking away.

"S-Senior!" Sakura's face turned pale as she reached for him, but Luna grabbed her firmly, holding her back.

Evelina and Adrian both stood up.

"You should thank us... We could have dragged you out by the collar, but we allowed you to sit here, on our sofa and talk to us directly... Take that as the only kindness you will ever get from us."

Adrian smirked as he nodded with a cold face. He buttoned his coat,

"Next time you dare set your foot here… you will see the real Adrian Valentine."

Leo just walked away, without saying a single word.