Mr Monterrey Sr was not a pleasant man to be around. He was nitpickingly demanding and actively aggressive. Nobody liked him including his son, although the family bond made him feel indebted to him. Monterrey Sr was never happy and was disgusted by kindness. He craved nothing but money and women, especially those he could take or destroy to spite others. The only people who accepted his company were those as bitter as he was.

Gemma was more than relieved to be dismissed as soon as Monterrey Sr finally laid eyes on her.

"Get that witch out of my sight," were his actual words.

Monty gave Gemma a pitiful look and although she would normally stand up for herself both at the words from senior and the lack thereof from junior, she left the room without a second thought and let out a long tense sigh when finally out.

The valet, Jason, was put in charge of bringing her home and he made it clear that running errands was not his intended occupation.

"You husband may grant you permission tomorrow," he said.

Gemma didn't speak back although inwardly she was fuming. If she called a spade a spade, she was petrified of Monty's father and his valet. They didn't just put on an act of ice and terror. They were.

Monty made sure that Gemma was brought into town the next day. He had to work hard to get the slightest amount of budge from his father who outright forbade that his daughter-in-law should take the carriage with them.

"We don't need her to listen to our business anyway," Gemma heard him say through the open window. "Let her fool around with her woman's hobbies. It will be good for the hotel."

She nearly snorted at that.

"Yes. Yes." The father sounded unconvinced.

Gemma feared how that would bode for her. Montgomery Sr only let things slide when he knew they would bring him better results later on. She tried to push away those thoughts away as she braced herself for the day ahead. The clock was ticking. Three days to go. She'd be lying to herself if she didn't admit that she was absolutely thrilled. Ten Monterrey Seniors and their valets couldn't ruin this for her.