The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 1160

The moment the words left his mouth, the room fell into an astonished silence. Arnold rolled his eyes, "Dude, are you for real? How can you be so clueless?"

Bobby chimed in with a smirk, "Looks like my tough love yesterday did the trick. Finally cracked the code, huh?"

Graham piped up, baffled, "Hold up, what's this got to do with us if you're chasing after Anna?"

Anna, equally puzzled, asked, "Why is everyone suddenly talking about chasing me?"

"Listen, kiddo, if you're aiming to court our Anna, it's up to her to say yes or no. We can't very well forbid you from seeing each other right from the start, can we?" Brooke pushed her reading glasses up her nose, the young man's forwardness nearly giving her a heart attack.

Who shows up with such fanfare on the first visit just to court someone? Is this some kind of joke?

Graham, seizing on Brooke's cue, added, "After all, it's you who wants to spend a lifetime with Anna. We're here to vet you, but if Anna isn't into you, better not to beat a dead horse. We're not exactly pushovers in this family!"

Soren raised his hand in a pledge to Graham and Brooke, "Don't worry, I came here today to ask for your blessing. I promise I'll treat Anna right."

Anna could feel the intense gaze of five people on her, Soren's burning the brightest.

Arnold snorted, "Soren, you sure know how to make yourself at home. First, you shock my folks, now you're straight-up calling dibs on Anna. Who do you think you are?"

Facing Arnold's challenge, Soren kept his cool, unlike the day before. He knew he was out of line yesterday and took the criticism as deserved.

Anna felt awkward amidst the tense atmosphere, at a loss for words. She hadn't expected Soren to show up, let alone be so upfront about his feelings.

It was clear as day to her that Soren was sincere, but the suddenness of it all left her floundering.

when she thought she was ready to let go of this relationship, Soren rekindled her

out. You and Arnold can handle a guy like him, right?"

couldn't peel his gaze away from Anna, his fingers nervously twisting at his

affection, finding it hard to speak her mind in front of

Bobby couldn't help but laugh

expressing his interest, and you can always say no

his eyes convinced her to give him a chance for Anna's sake. After all, there

filled the living room as everyone waited for Anna to

on the

ears and took a moment to

you saying you're willing

cocky. You've just

with his hand, a clear threat

care less, barely containing his

for lunch, creating an oddly tense atmosphere around the dining

already a couple meeting the parents, Graham

pulling out a bottle of his best whiskey, ready to bond with Soren over

it seem

the lavish

volimet

"We weren't expecting you so we just whipped up whatever had. Next time, we'll treat you to something

parents' over-the-top display, couldn't help but comment, "Really, Mom? You' didn't pull out all

for Bobby yesterday." Contenthis

quickly patted Arnold's hand in a reassuring gesture, understanding Arnold's attempt