Chapter 617

Hamilton’s words were like an emotional grenade, detonating without warning and leaving shockwaves in their path.

Not only did Frederic’s face look like it had taken a hit, but I bet even a fly buzzing by would have swelled up from the blast. Only his dad knew how to handle this black sheep of the family,

Glynnis shrunk behind Frederic like a quail in hiding, too scared to even show her face.

Evadne hurried over, her voice soft and soothing, “Marilla, honey, don’t be scared. I’m here, your brother and granddad are here

too.”

Marilla lifted her tear–stained face from Jareth’s embrace; her cheeks were swollen as if soaked by the moon’s glow, dampening his shirt with her tears.

“Evadne.”

That term of endearment brought a swell of emotion to Evadne’s eyes, a numbing pain to her heart.

Marilla, choking back sobs, clung to Jareth’s shirt, her delicate hands gripping tight, “I don’t want to be apart from Jareth.”

In that moment, Jareth felt a sharp pain in his chest, pulling her in closer as if to crush her into his being, “We won’t be apart, Marilla, no matter what happens, I won’t leave you,”

Evadne stood speechless, her heart brimming with empathy.

In Marilla, she saw her own past self- the one who had been locked away at home by Emeric, the one who had leapt from her window on a stormy night, frantic to find Thaddeus.

She too had been held in his arms, insisting over and over that she couldn’t bear to be apart from him.

But she had been luckier than Marilla.

Emeric was all bark and no bite, his harsh words belied a tenderness and a willingness to compromise for the love of his daughter.

But Frederic was different. Self–serving and cold–hearted, how could he truly have Marilla’s best interests at heart?

To him, his reputation and the Abernathy family’s interests trumped everything, even family ties.

“I’m not going to waste my breath on you, boy, because you’ve never understood a word I’ve said! I came here today to back these young lovebirds!” Hamilton’s gaze was steely as he stared down Frederic, “Didn’t you just say you’d rather die than agree to this match? Well, go ahead and die then.”

“Dad! What are you saying?”

Frederic was fuming, his eyes bloodshot with anger, his words almost laughable, “Why should I die?”

“Yeah, why should a man like you die? Especially since you’re the esteemed chairman of the Abernathy Group. You’ve just managed to push me into retirement; you wouldn’t want to die now, would you?”

Hamilton let out a bitter chuckle, “Since you don’t want to die, stop threatening the younger generation with such nonsense! Jareth respects you for Marilla and Thaddeus‘ sake, but you’re acting as if you’re the center of attention. Using your own life as a bargaining chip, my face is red with embarrassment because of you!”

Frederic felt dizzy, his hand gripping the stair’s railing, veins bulging with tension.

For years, his father had berated him with harsh words in

But this time, it wasn’t just in front of his children, but

his

Glynnis suddenly realized.

took

Jareth as well. Hamilton’s actions were beyond shaming

Hamilton know every detail of their conversation with Jareth? He had just arrived, hadn’t he?

half an hour earlier.

had quietly parked

Inside the vehicle.

watching his lady love openly display her skills in front of Hamilton, hacking into the villa’s

we’re all set.” Evadne handed the tablet to Hamilton.

looked at her in

“Yes.”

only for making money!” Hamilton

Thaddeus turned silent.

man, not only was he putting him down, but he was also getting

huddled together, intently watching everything unfold on the screen.

bullied, clenched her fists in anger.

should we go now?” Thaddeus asked, his

grave, “Let’s wait.”

youngsters were

this is undoubtedly a tough test

also rational, “They’ve just taken the first step and faced such a huge obstacle. There will be more trouble ahead. This time, I need to see just how much Jareth loves Marilla and whether he has the strength to protect my little granddaughter. The Fairhaven family, as far as I know, isn’t much stronger than the Chambers family, which is a den of wolves. If Marilla is to be with Jareth, I must be sure

Thaddeus exchanged

the true love of an elder for the younger generation.

with his actions, had thoroughly earned Hamilton’s approval.

give his blessing, I

smile as he beckoned the young couple over, “Marilla, Jareth,

a deep breath and, with his

Marilla’s eyes were nearly swollen shut from crying, but her sweet demeanor made

“Ah.”

responded, his voice thick with emotion as he took his granddaughter’s hand in his,

her head through her tears, “No, Grandpa.”

her features contorted with

those years she’d spent playing the sweet and dutiful

game of love and family. She’d been beaten

“Jareth, my granddaughter is in your hands now. You’ve got to take good care of her, spoil

“Grandpa, I can.”

his reddened eyes, “I swear to you, and I swear to God. I will love Marilla for all my days, till

tiptoed up to him, her hand gently covering his mouth, silencing his

Jareth. You don’t have to say a thing.

arm around

squinted her beautiful

you’ve cleared things with

17.01

responded, “Not just my granddad, I’ve informed

has no objections.”

and Thaddeus exchanged a knowing glance.

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