Chapter 773

Frederic stormed into the room, his face as dark as a thundercloud, his presence more intimidating than a Halloween ghoul.

“On such a sunny day, why do you have to look like you’re attending a funeral?” Hamilton chided, glancing away from his son’s gloomy expression with a tsk–tsk of disapproval. “Seeing you puts such a damper on my day, I swear it’s shaving years off my life!”

Frederic ignored the verbal sparring with his dad and made a beeline for Marilla, completely disregarding the Ashbournes, who were over for a visit.

“Marilla! You’re coming home with me right now!”

Marilla recoiled, her face pale as milk, clutching her teddy bear like a shield.

Just as Frederic’s hand was about to clamp onto her, another hand–veined and strong–caught his wrist in an iron grip.

Marilla’s eyes widened in shock, staring at the tall figure stepping protectively in front of her. “Aaron.”

Aaron met Frederic’s fiery gaze with a cold flicker in his eyes. “Mr. Frederic, let’s keep this civil. You’re scaring Marilla.”

Frederic, panting with anger and frustration, couldn’t immediately free his wrist from Aaron’s hold and bit back his rage with a snarl, ‘Let go!”

With a calm gaze, Aaron released him.

Frederic quickly stepped back, rubbing his wrist, which had turned an angry shade of purple.

“Mr. Hamilton, Mom, it’s about time. I promised Marilla we’d go out and have some fun,” Aaron said, trying to diffuse the tension as he turned to Hamilton.

“I just said Marilla has to come with me. She’s not going anywhere!” Frederic roared back, unable to contain his fury.

Hamilton bristled. “Marilla already made plans with Aaron. And here you are, making a scene in front of our guests! The Ashbournes have come with gifts, and you’re causing a ruckus!”

“You don’t understand the situation. If you did, you wouldn’t be taking this tone with me!”

Frederic waved his hand dismissively, a clear sign of his impatience. “Bottom line, my daughter is not to associate with the Ashbourne boy. I’ll explain later when it’s convenient!”

“Hold on a second.”

Suri’s voice cut through the tension like a knife, her cool gaze landing on Frederic. “You can’t leave us hanging, Mr. Frederic. If you’ve got something to say, out with it. Let’s hear why my son can’t associate with your daughter.”

Her authoritative presence was unmistakable–the matriarch of the Ashbourne family, not to be trifled with. Hamilton watched, a pang of envy for Emeric. If only his own son could have a partner as formidable and accomplished as Surl, maybe his temper wouldn’t be so difficult.

Frederic’s smile was a sneer of contempt. “Suri, do you swear that you and your son approaching Marilla have nothing to do with Evadne’s bidding?”

Suri’s brows knit together.

“You pressured Mr. Bartley with election funding, to call off the engagement with the Bartleys for your own gain Your antics at the Bartley’s event, embarrassing them in public, wasn’t that to ensure Marilla wouldn’t marry into their family?”

12:471

Chapter 773

The room fell silent, the accusation hanging heavy in the air.

at her father or Aaron. She closed her eyes,

always found it strange how suddenly you’ve taken an interest in my daughter’s affairs, Suri. Especially at the crucial moment of her engagement to the Bartleys. Unless someone prompted you, who would believe it?”

voice was laced with decades of business acumen, a cynical laugh escaping him. “Marilla and Jareth breaking up was unfortunate, but it was their fate. For Evadne to interfere like this is crossing the line! Let me be clear, even without the Bartleys, I would never approve of Marilla getting back with Jareth. And you, with your ulterior motives, I certainly won’t

tension palpable, but he restrained himself for the

when Suri, with a grace that

‘I’m absolutely disgusted.”

eyes flashed. “What

man indeed, Suri said, taking a measured sip of her tea. “Otherwise, with that kind of thinking, I doubt you’d have made it this

face reddened with rage, but he held back. He was a man of stature, and a public

him.

boy a leg up in romance, am I right? Besides, the match you had set up for Marilla, what kind of folks were they? The Bartley clan buckled under the slightest pressure and called off the engagement in the dead of night. That tells

chord with Hamilton, and he

in this matter. Now that I know both families have called off the engagement, I can just as well stop

spoke with calm composure, “The reason for my visit is simple–I’m quite fond of Marilla myself. The urgency I feel to see her matches Aaron’s own.”

Aaron’s chest, coloring his ears a rosy

eyes, her luminous gaze filled with gratitude towards

to Suri now!” Hamilton glared at his son, clearly displeased by

his lips together, his gums aching with frustration, but he refused

of apologizing to the Ashbournes felt

just overly protective of his daughter, which can muddle his thoughts. As a

younger. If there’s nothing pressing at the company, perhaps you should follow Emeric’s lead and spend more time taking care of

gentle word from Suri, Frederic felt as if she was

Chapter 773

can doubt anything you like. But there’s one thing you shouldn’t question. I swear on my badge, on my honor, my feelings for Marilla are as true as gold. Even if you dislike me, I

room fell silent.

this, and for a moment, she

it this way–now there’s one more person in this world willing to protect your daughter with his life. One more defender is no loss to you.” Aaron smiled serenely,

he had run out of

“Marilla, let’s go.”

Marilla with a choice.

and Marilla, in her delicate grace, hustled to keep

her father had left her

she would have taken him and left

the front door in the blink of

sighed deeply, his words carrying a weighty significance, “Suri, you’ve raised your son well. Compared

What are you saying?” Frederic was livid, feeling like both Suri

another round of rebuke from

thing–everything llanat does, she does for the good of this family, for the people she cares about!”

llana again, you’re no longer welcome in

mouth to retort, but then he saw Thaddeus and Evadne, hand in hand, enter

unfazed by such scenes, but Thaddeus‘ cool gaze fixed on Frederic with unspoken fury.

realized staying would only make things worse,

“Grandpa, what happened?”

old man, his eyes dark with concern, “What’s he grinding his teeth about

now?”

it’s gone now that I’ve scolded him

sparkled with laughter, clearly not bothered

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255