A/N: Rated K. Holidaysat221b Prompt of the Day -7/13/22: Sherlock and Molly announce their engagement. Mycroft, for reasons of his own, offers Molly a large sum of money to break up with Sherlock. Molly is shocked. Sherlock is furious. - shadowyqueenbeard
"It's not that I don't think highly of you, Miss Hooper," Mycroft began.
Molly gave him an apprehensive look, fingers tightening unconsciously in her lap. The ring on her left (appropriately named) ring finger glinted in the subdued lighting in Mycroft's office, reminding him (unnecessarily) why he'd asked his brother's newly minted fiancée to meet with him. "But?" she prompted him (also unnecessarily).
"But," he conceded, "I think it would be best for both of you if you were to break off this ill-conceived engagement." He offered her a tight-lipped smile. "In compensation, I am of course prepared to offer you a certain sum - say, enough to allow you to relocate comfortably elsewhere. Perhaps in America, where that handsome job offer you recently received originated?" One which he had nothing to do with, but whose fortuitous timing had prompted this meeting.
Instead of shouting, bursting into tears, or any other emotional outburst such an outrageous offer should have engendered, she rose to her feet with quiet dignity, hands no longer fidgeting, an expression of determination replacing the previous apprehension. "Mr. Holmes, I appreciate what you're trying to do. You're trying to look out for your brother, and I understand that, but the answer is no. Good day."
She turned on her heel and strode out of his office without another word.
Mycroft looked down at his desk, a slight (reluctant) smile tinging his lips. He'd thought Miss Hooper to be the emotional one, the easier target, and he'd been wrong. How extraordinary.
Perhaps, he mused, reaching for his mobile, Sherlock wasn't simply attempting to coddle this woman after the events of Sherrinford.
Perhaps he had been wrong, and John Watson right (he shuddered at the thought).
"Perhaps Sherlock actually is in love with this woman."
Precisely one hour later that belief was confirmed, when Sherlock stormed into his office, gave him the dressing-down of his life (rivaling even Mummy in his righteous indignation), and stormed back again, shouting, "The only reason you're still invited to the wedding is because Molly - and she asks that you stop calling her Miss Hooper since we're, her words, 'all family now' - said she wanted you there, you interfering as-"
The final word was cut off by the slamming of the door, but Mycroft had no need of interpretation.
Judging by the amused expression on Anthea's face when she brought him a cup of tea shortly after his brother's exit, she had no need of interpretation, either.