She Said Yes, With a Smirk Novel – “I’ve made up my mind. I’ll marry into the Holland family.” Ashlynn Lloyd stood by the doorway of the manor, a faint smirk playing on her lips. Jamal Lloyd, her father, nearly dropped his something in hand. He sat up quickly, surprise flickering in his eyes. “You’re serious? That’s… great news! They’ve been pressuring us.
The wedding needs to happen within two weeks. What kind of gown do you want? I’ll have it custom-made.” Ashlynn raised an eyebrow. “I helped you marry off your precious daughter. Shouldn’t you at least thank me?” The air grew tense. Jamal’s expression hardened. “What are you saying? Elianna is your sister.” “A sister?” Ashlynn chuckled coldly. “Only if we shared the same mother. She’s the result of your betrayal. I’ll never recognize her.” Jamal gritted his teeth but kept his temper in check.
“What do you want?” “Ten billion. And once I’m married, assign Abram to Elianna’s side.” “You’re out of your mind,” Jamal snapped. “That kind of money would wipe me out! And Abram? Wasn’t he the one you always—?” Ashlynn turned to leave. “Yes or no?” “Fine!” Jamal exhaled. “It’ll be done the moment you marry into the Holland family.” In truth, he was desperate to resolve the marriage issue.
Years ago, the Holland heir was a rising star. He had promised Elianna’s hand in marriage as a way to build a stronger alliance. But after the accident, everything changed. Not wanting Elianna to suffer, he thought of Ashlynn instead. Ashlynn didn’t look back. The sharp click of her heels echoed through the hall as she left. Back at her villa that night, Ashlynn walked upstairs.
Passing by Abram Baldwin’s room, she heard muffled sounds inside. The door was slightly ajar. She glanced in—and froze. Abram sat by the bed, holding a framed photo of Elianna. His eyes were closed, and his voice was soft and filled with longing. Ashlynn’s grip on her handbag tightened. She finally understood Jamal’s question earlier: why would she give up Abram? Because he, like her father, only had eyes for Elianna. Three years ago, she chose him as her bodyguard—not for his résumé, but because he stood out.
Tall, composed, with eyes as cold as frost. She admired him, teased him, even tried to win his sincerity. But he never once looked at her with interest. She’d thought he was just aloof—until tonight. Abram, she now realized, had sincerity—but it had never belonged to her. Once, she overheard a phone call he answered after looking at Elianna’s picture. “…You’re still working as a bodyguard? Why don’t you just tell her how you feel?” Abram’s calm reply had struck like ice: “She’s been through a lot. I don’t want to rush her.
I want to protect her.” And when someone suggested Ashlynn might be a better fit, he had said, without hesitation: “She doesn’t compare.” That night, Ashlynn didn’t cry. She simply walked away, her expression calm but her inner feeling forever changed.