Chapter 615
Chapter 615
Mari’s heart pounded with the ferocity of a drum in the night, her rosy cheeks draining to a chalky
white, as if she were a frightened bird trembling on a limb, buffeted by an unseen storm.
She pursed her lips and instinctively let go of Jareth’s hand.
Jareth’s breathing hitched, his grip tightening almost imperiously, her fingers starved of cirction!
“What’s it to you? Is it any of your business?”
Jareth’s sharp brows arched, his piercing gaze skewering Glynnis, who wore a poorly concealed smirk,
“I never knew you to be such a traditionaldy, Glynnis. Quite the departure from your usual liberation.”
Glynnis‘ heart skipped a beat, her face ashen, “What are you bbering about?”
Whether I’m bbering or not, step outside of Windermere Estate, ask around the Elmsworth
socialites, and they’ll tell you all about your wild escapades and reputation, clear as day.”
Jareth’s lips curled with a sinister slowness, “I’ve got a few buddies who’ve had their share of fun with
you. If you’ve forgotten, I can jog your memory with their names. Who knows, maybe Mr. Frederic has
heard a tale or two.”
Frederic’s jaw clenched, his eyes aze with suppressed fury, ring at his wayward daughter.
“Dad, it’s not like that. He’s ndering me! He’s bullying me!”
Glynnis‘ forehead beaded with cold sweat, almost missing a step and tumbling down the stairs!
Her infamous escapades in Elmsworth’s nightlife had earned her a less–than–savory reputation long
ago.
She’d always yed the role of the pure and obedient daughter in front of Frederic, but now, the facade
she’d so painstakingly maintained was being ripped away by Jareth, leaving her in utter panic.
Frederic momentarily ignored Glynnis, his attention returning to his younger daughter.
“Mari,e here.”
Hismand was brief but loaded with an unmistakable threat.
“Daddy.” Mari’s voice was meek, her feet rooted in hesitation.
Frederic’s gaze darkened, hismand irrefutable, “Come here.”
“Mr. Frederic, my visit today concerns a matter of great importance I wish to discuss with you,” Jareth
said, his eyes burning with earnestness.
“Whatever you have to say, Mr. Jareth, say it here,” Frederic looked down upon him, not even bothering
to offer a seat. “But make it quick, don’t dy our dinner.”
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His demeanor was not just dismissive but scornful.
Glynnis, hidden behind her father, snickered with vindictive satisfaction.
Remembering how Jareth had confronted her esteemed father at the William and Son’s party, taking a
stand against the entire Abernathy Group, she relished the fact that the story had spread like wildfire
through Elmsworth’s elite circles.
A man’s pride was his currency.
Jareth had once cost Frederic his dignity, so it was only fitting that his own pride was being trampled.
“Mr. Frederic, I am here to formally ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Ignoring Frederic’s mockery, Jareth took a deep breath, his grip on the girl’s hand trembling with
nerves, “I love Mari, and ! intend to marry no other. I will ensure she is the happiest woman in the
world.”
With that, he turned to look at his beloved, his eyes brimming with deep, unspoken emotion, “Please
give me your blessing to marry Mari.”
Mari’s cheeks bloomed with a shy blush, her heart awash with warmth.
Glynnis gnashed her teeth, watching their disy of affection with venomous envy, her face contorted
as if she were about to reveal her true nature, transforming into a creature of jealousy.
“Ha.”
Frederic let out a scornfulugh, “Mr. Jareth, you’re hardly in a position to stand before me, let alone
ask for my daughter’s hand. You made your feelings quite clear at thest gathering, severing ties with
the Abernathy family. You seemed rather taken with the Ashbourne family heiress–perhaps you should
be seeking marriage with them, not us. But I do wonder what Thaddeus would think of this.”
Jareth’s veins pulsed at his temples, each word a dagger to his hopeful heart, his fury and indignation
straining his restraint.
Frederic insulted him.
He also dragged Thaddeus and Evadne into it was a bridge too far, an attack he could not ignore. His
clenched fists were like boulders wrapped in ivy, ready to explode.
Mari stood stiffly, her whole body cold with dread.
“Mr. Frederic, direct your anger at me if you must. Insult me, and I won’t utter a word in defense.”
Jareth’s eyes zed with a dangerous red, “But don’t involve my best friend and the woman he loves.
My affairs are my own; they have nothing to do with them! You owe Thaddeus and Ms. Evadne more
respect!”
The grand hall was swept by a chilly undercurrent, the tension palpable.
Dennis, watching Mari, felt his heart leap to his throat as Jareth and Frederic seemed poised for an
all–out feud.
Jareth was a man of integrity and fierce loyalty, but sometimes his emotions got the better of him, often
at the expense of prudence.
Frederic was the type to respond to humility and contrition. If you bowed your head and showed regret,
there might be room for maneuver. But Jareth, ustomed to privilege and pride, was likely facing the
most humbling moment of his life.
And like any man of honor, he could not–would not–simply endure.
“Look, Jareth, let’s cut the pleasantries,” Frederic’s mocking expression suddenly turned icy. “You
marrying Mari is a pipe dream! There’s no way I’m giving my daughter’s hand to someone who’s
been disloyal to the Abernathy family. It’s like keeping a ticking time bomb right in my own backyard. If
you married Mari, you’d be my son–inw, and if your heart’s not with us, you’d just be another
turncoat waiting to stab me in the back when it counts. How could I possibly allow such a snake to
slither into the Abernathy family?”
Jareth stood there, breathing heavily, feeling as if he’d been sucker–punched. His insides churned with
a pain so acute it felt as though his very organs had been shaken.
“I’ve tolerated you this long because of the old yground bond you share with Thaddeus, but that
doesn’t seem to have taught you humility,” Frederic said, chin tilted up in arrogance. “I’ve made myself
crystal clear: I would rather die than agree to this union! Leave Mari here and get off the Windermere
Estate immediately. And for your own good, make sure you never show your face around here again!”