Chapter 430


    Chapter 430


    Though Mari had been regarded as someone ‘silly‘ by Glynnis from a young age, she was anything


    but. At the mention of “living together; her lean shoulders twitched, and the sweet taste of her freshly


    squeezed orange juice turned bitter on her lips.


    Jareth secretly held her small, cool hand, gripping it tightly, “Mr. Abernathy, I know I haven’t always


    been a saint in my personal life, but could you give me a chance to change, to start anew?


    Furthermore, I might have been a bit of a yboy, but I’ve never been crude. And I never brought any


    woman to my house before. Mari is the first, and she will be thest.”


    “Jareth, what I mean is,”


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    “I won’t beat around the bush. Now I can’t be without Mari.


    Jareth’s chest was filled with a profound love for her. He kissed Mani’s hand passionately, his gaze


    filled with an affection that was utterly captivating. “If I can’t see her for a day. I fear I might go mad.”


    deep, gentle voice echoed in Mari’s ear, causing her heart to flutter like a feather was tickling it.


    She felt the same way. She didn’t want to be without Jareth. If she couldn’t see him, she couldn’t eat or


    drink; if she couldn’t hold him, she couldn’t sleep.


    ay these things


    Frederic’s cheeks blushed red. He’d seen all sorts of people in his life, but he’d never met anyone as


    loose as this! To say in front of an elder, it was far too shameless!


    “There is another reason why I don’t want Mari to go back to Windermere Estate,” Jareth said,


    suddenly serious.


    Frederic was taken aback, “What reason?”


    Tm afraid Mari might be bullied.”


    “What kind of nonsense is that? Frederic’s brows furrowed, adding to his confusion, “Mari is my


    precious gem. Windermere Estate is her home. Who would dare to bully her here?”


    “Mr. Abernathy, you’re not often at home, so it’s understandable if you don’t know what’s happening in


    your own house. But you can’t assume that just because Mari lives here, she is happy.”


    Jareth didn’t explicitly mention that Glynnis bullied Mari. After all, Glynnis was also Frederic’s


    daughter. If Jareth used her without any regard, he would be dishonoring his future father–inw,


    making it impossible for him to save face. More importantly, he felt capable of protecting Mari


    himself.


    Even if Frederic know everything, what could he do? He couldn’t even figure out what exactly his


    bestial wife had done, let alone confronting Glynnis.


    Dennis stood by, his lips sealed, his gaze filled with intrigue as he watched Frederic.


    Everyone in Windermere Estate knew that Glynnis had been suppressing and bullying Mari for years.


    Even Elspeth, the woman who raised them, knew about it. Only Frederic, their biological father, was


    clueless!


    “Man, who dares to bully you in this house?!” Frederic demanded, his gaze fixed on his timid


    daughter, struggling to contain his anger.


    Mari’s forehead broke out in sweat. She opened her mouth but couldn’t say a word.


    Jareth felt her hand dampen in his. He quicklyforted her with his soft voice. “Mari, don’t be


    afraid. You have me and your dad here. If you have any grievances or hardships, just say it, and we will


    back you up.”


    He sincerely hoped that Mani could openly talk about Glynnis’s despicable acts. She should speak


    up to get justice for herself.


    Two grown men watched her intently. After a moment, Mari finally managed to speak, “No, nobody


    bullies me.”


    “Mari.” Jareth felt a wave of disappointment. But when his hand touched her thin back, he realized


    that her clothing was drenched in sweat.


    Jareth’s eyes darkened, his heart aching as if it had copsed. He was pushing her too hard. He


    shouldn’t make her constantly think about her painful past or how to seek revenge.


    The woman he loved didn’t have to do anything. He could handle everything for her.


    “Was it your sister who bullied you?”


    Frederic’s sudden question pierced Mari’s trembling heart like a sharp arrow. She lowered her head,


    her hands crumpling the hem of her dress, but remained silent.


    “Is that true? Has Glynnis been bullying you all this time? Tell me, I stand up for you”


    “Mr. Abernathy, you are well aware of Mari’s situation. She’s not like Glynnis, who knows how to


    charm you. Sometimes, because Glynnis is family, Mani is too kind–hearted to confront her. So, she


    lives cautiously, silently bearing all the humiliation.”


    Jareth couldn’t bear it any longer and chimed in, his eyes cold, “It’s been so many years. There’s no


    point in bringing up the past.


    Moreover you consider both of them as your precious daughters, don’t you?”


    His words did not me Glynnis, but they were not far from doing so.


    Frederic’s face darkened considerably, hisrge hand clenched on his knee.


    Jareth slowly helped Mari to her feet. His strong arm naturally slipped around her waist, pulling her


    into his embrace, holding her possessively.


    “All the past are behind us. I am willing to let it go for your sake, but the future is different. Now that


    Mari and I are together, I will stand up for her in everything. If anyone dares to hurt her, no matter


    who her dad is, they will pay a bloody price.”


    After Jareth and Mari left, the atmosphere in the study became stifling. Frederic could still feel the


    chilling air filling him with a sense of


    uffocation.


    “So, Jareth also knows that Glynnis has been bullying Mari? Frederic looked at Dennis in


    bewilderment, his heart tightening,” overheard the servants talking about this. Even they know


    everything and I didn’t? As her father, I didn’t know.”


    Dennis sighed, “Mr. Abernathy, don’t beat yourself up too much. You’ve got a big house to run, arge


    corporation to manage; it’s only natural that you might drop the ball every now and then.”


    This was a clear concession.


    Frederic propped his elbows on the desk, clutching his head in anguish, “As a father, I’ve let Mani


    down. I didn’t realize she was so unhappy at home.”


    “But that’s all in the past now, Mr. Abernathy, Miss Mari has Jareth now, who cherishes her and


    protects her well. You can rest easy Dennis spoke earnestly, “Miss Mari is growing up, she’s not a


    little girl anymore. You can’t keep her cooped up at home, not allowing her to socialize, not letting her


    experience the world. This isn’t good for her condition. And haven’t you noticed? After being with


    Jareth, Mari is more cheerful, lively, and bright


    Frederic nodded slightly. Even he realized it had been a long time since he saw his youngest daughter


    laughing so brightly, Jareth was genuinely good to her, and she was genuinely happy.


    “Glynnis. Ive spoiled her rotten! She’s Mari’s own sister; how could she act like this!” Frederic


    remembered how innocent and lovely Glynnis was when she was a child, now he was heartbroken!


    Dennis insinuated, “Mr. Abernathy, you should understand the saying ‘If you lie down with dogs, you


    will get up with fleas.”


    Frederic’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightened.


    Just then, there was a knock on the door. Glynnis’s coquettish voice echoed, “Daddy, are you in there?”


    “Come in,”


    The door opened and Glynnis walked in with a radiant smile, holding a tray, “Daddy, I made a mistake


    today, I caused you trouble. I’ve prepared your favorite fruits and snacks as an apology.


    Please don’t be mad at me, okay?”


    Glynnis ced the fruits on the table, and tried to hug Frederic’s neck and act like a spoiled child just


    like the old times. Usually, this would dissipate Frederic’s anger


    However, this time, Frederic raised his hand to stop her, “I hope this is thest time you act out of your


    status. You are Glynnis Abernathy, not some nouveau riche who treats people like they’re beneath you.


    Act like you have ss, with style. Otherwise, you’re no different from a fishwile.”


    Glynnis awkwardly held her arms in mid–air, forcing a smile, “Yes, Dad, I won’t do it again.”


    Frederic didn’t say anything, nor did he touch the food she brought.


    “Dad, we’re going to the horse racing event in a few days; you said my riding outfit looked goodst


    time, right? I also had one made for you. The designer personally delivered it just now. Do you want to


    try it on?”


    Glynnis tried her best to appease Frederic’s anger


    “Glynnis, you don’t need to attend this year’s horse racing event, Frederic’s voice was unusually cold.


    “What?!” Glynnis stomped her foot, ranting, “Why won’t you take me? You always take me to the horse


    racing event every year!”


    *This year is an exception.”


    “Why?” Glynnis’s eyes widened in panic, her face sterling to contort, “All the high–ssdies from the


    prominent families in Elmsworth will be there; you can’t not take me!”


    “This year, I’ll be taking Mani, Frederic lowered his eyelids, not even ncing at her.


    “How could you?! Glynnis’s mind went nk.


    “Why not? Man is also my daughter; she’s also an Abernathy.”


    Frederic finally looked at her, his gaze colder than ever, “And you’ve been going for many years; you


    must be tired of the socializing. Mari has never been there, and many people in Elmsworth don’t


    know her. In the future, I’ll give more of these opportunities to Mari; that’s only fair.”


    Fair?!


    This man neglected Mani for over a decade, and now suddenly he was ying favorites and talking


    about faimess?!


    “What? Judging from your expression, you’re not satisfied?”


    Frederic raised an eyebrow, “As an older sister you should take care of your younger sister, sharing


    good things with her, isn’t that right?” “No, Dad. It’s just that Mari has autism; how could you take her


    to such an event? What if she has an episode? How would she cope?”


    “You don’t need to worry about that, Jareth will take good care of her.”


    Glynnis’s face flushed red then turned pale. She waspletely speechless.


    *Leave, I have work to do.”


    Glynnis’s face went pale as sheet, and in the moment she turned around, her eyes were bloodshot with


    hatred, her teeth gritted.