The incident at last night’s gala had spread like wildfire through the city.

Directly confronting Paul in front of everyone, and twice whisking Ella away from Paul’s side was far from the behavior expected of an uncle toward his niece.

By the end of the night, taking Ella away from the gala without any attempt to conceal his actions was the tipping point. The whole party was buzzing with speculation.

Paul had come to the family estate last night, looking for Ella with a face that bore both embarrassment and shame as he apologized. Paul had taken her out, and now he hadn’t brought her back, for which he was sorry.

Already concerned, Jon had pressed for answers, only to learn that it was Noah who had brazenly taken Ella from the event.

Jon had immediately called Noah, who admitted without evasion that he was the one who took Ella.d2

Noah told Jon he would handle it. And come morning, the news of the broken engagement hit everyone like a bombshell. P City was in an uproar.

If the gala incident could have been brushed off with some stubborn explanation, the quick-following broken engagement was an undeniable confirmation of the scandal.

Worse still, the Minton family had been kept entirely in the dark. They had bombarded Jon with calls that very morning inquiring about the situation. It had all been Noah’s unilateral decision.

Jon could never have imagined that his son, the pride of his life, who had never once disappointed him, would make such an unbelievable and reckless decision at such a mature and steady age.

Noah took Jon’s cane blow without flinching, a dark purple mark instantly blooming on his neck. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he remained silent, accepting Jon’s wrath without protest.

Jon was livid, and Noah’s demeanor made it clear—no matter how much he was scolded or beaten, he wouldn’t change his mind.

His father pointed a trembling finger at him, unable to articulate his rage. “What are you thinking, breaking off the engagement unilaterally? How can you face the Minton family?! Rebecca, a fine young woman, wasted four years on you. How could you… How could you commit such a despicable act?!”

Noah’s jaw clenched tighter, his hands balled into fists. “I will explain it to her.”

“You can’t explain this away!” Jon roared. “How can you compensate for four years of a woman’s life? I’ll say it again, Noah—the Tretton family’s daughter-in-law can only be Rebecca!”

Noah’s frown deepened. “The engagement is off. I won’t marry her.”

“Are you determined to be seen as the jerk? Have you no shame? Does Ella know of your foul deed? You may not care for your reputation, but does Ella not care for hers?”

“I warn you, Noah, don’t push me. Remember what I told you years ago. You promised not to back out. If you ever do, I won’t touch you, but I’ll make Ella pay for it.”

Noah’s eyes flashed with defiance. “This is my responsibility. She was coerced.”

Jon glared at him, then shouted up the stairs, “Bring Ella down. I’m taking her away.”

“No way!” Noah didn’t pause a moment. His first words were harsh and unquestionable. “I’ve said, whatever happens, it has nothing to do with her.”

Jon tried hard to control his anger. He had to close his eyes forcefully, preparing himself for a long time to barely hold back his rage. “Do you think you can lock her up like this for the rest of your life? Does she know that you called off the wedding? Do you think that even if you cancel the wedding, she can still be with you?”

Noah frowned, “She has no other choice.”

“She does!” Jon snorted, “Her choice is Paul. They are dating!”

Jonn’s voice carried uncontrollable anger again, and he unavoidably hit Noah with the cane. “Bastard! You have a fiancée, yet you want

really didn’t know what else to say to vent his anger, and again swung his cane down onto Noah’s shoulder. With the same force, the cane landed mercilessly on

person who had been brought in, “Go

bodyguards

gaze chilling. “Not on my

stumbled as Jon’s cane struck his knee with brutal force. The sound of bone meeting wood was chilling, and

horror. That blow could have shattered his knee. He hurried to Noah’s side, acting as a buffer between him

bodyguards, only to be stopped by another blow to his leg from

the stair railing for support, watching helplessly as the

but to restrain Jon

Ella was brought

while Noah, pale and sweating, clung

he suddenly gripped her wrist tightly. Startled, Ella flinched and instinctively turned to look at him, only to collide with his

from the depths of an abyss, as he struggled to

for him was overwhelming. “What happened?” she asked, her voice tinged with worry. Ella walked towards him, her

and sharp. He couldn’t bear to

movement halted abruptly, and slowly, she withdrew her

expression was stern. “Come home

her wrist tightened.

to pull away, but his hold was unyielding.

a thin line, his stubbornness clear in his

the living room couch. “Ella.” Jon called her name heavily, and everyone in the living room

could only stand there, softly calling out,

you go now, then we’ll

looked at Grandpa quietly, trying to read something from his

of compassion in his eyes replaced by ruthless determination. “Then, I give you two choices. One, stay

frosty and unyielding. “I won’t

him, continuing, “Two, leave P City, leave the Tretton family,

at, every feature sharp as a blade, his words deliberate and heavy, “I. Do.

face cold and detached. “Ella, you

face turned ghostly pale. For her, this

between father and son was

What happened?

only just

relationship that’s headed

Ella nodded, “Yes.”

It felt like her bones were being crushed. She could not look

must have faced alone there last

support of his cane. “If that’s the case, then announce

speak for

Join & Stay Updated

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

Comments ()

0/255