Chapter 616


    Chapter 616


    Jareth was panting hard, feeling as if the air around him was growing thin.


    At the party, the loyal man stood up for his two best friends, opposing Frederic face to face.


    But the price he paid was steep-


    He might never be able to marry the woman he loved most.


    He could stand against the entire Fairhaven Group, even bet everything he had. But Mari–she was


    so fragile, so timid.


    Even if she were willing, how could he bear to see her shouldering such immense pressure, alone and


    abandoned?


    “Mari,e back. You’re my good girl. Listen to me ande home,” Frederic’s gaze softened as


    he opened his arms. “You’re too young to understand what love is, blind to the true nature of people,


    not even realizing when you’re being deceived. But it’s alright, I don’t me you. As long as youe


    back, you’ll still be my treasured daughter.”


    Mari felt as if the blood in her veins had been drained, frozen in ce.


    She had already lost her mother, she couldn’t bear to lose her father too.


    But she couldn’t stand to lose Jareth even more!


    “Mari, think of how good daddy has been to you. Would you really want to upset him?” Glynnis


    chimed in immediately. “You’ve never ventured far from home and don’t know how cruel the world can


    be, especially men’s lies–not a single word is trustworthy.”


    She had been furious with Jareth earlier, and now she seized the opportunity tosh out. “Jareth, you


    stand there so self–righteously criticizing me, but you’re no better than the rest! Mari, this man who’s


    been sweet–talking you is Elmsworth’s most notorious yboy. His love life could fill a whole


    encyclopedia! He’s only after you because you’re the one stamp missing from his collection. When you


    finally hit the wall and turn back, it’ll be toote. Even your father won’t want you then!”


    Mari trembled uncontrobly, tears pooling in her doe–like eyes.


    Jareth quickly pulled her into his arms, hisrge hand gently soothing her back. Even though he felt like


    he was about to explode, he had endless patience for the person he loved most.


    “Jareth, I’m sorry”


    “Let’s see which heartless, blind fool dares to reject my wonderful granddaughter!” A robust voice came


    from outside, causing the Abernathy family to pale in fear.


    The next second, Thaddeus pushed Hamilton, seated in his wheelchair, through the front door.


    Striding beside him, breathtakingly beautiful, was Evadne!


    The three of them exuded the presence of an entire army.


    Frederic’s heart sank, and Glynnis‘ expression almost cracked!


    “Thad, Evadne.” Jareth’s eyes brimmed with tears.


    Thaddeus looked at him, lips pressed into a thin line, and nodded slightly.


    That was enough. As friends for twenty years, everything was understood without words. They always


    knew how to support each other in the most crucial moments.


    *Jareth, how’s Mari? Evadne, seeing Mari’s pale face, put aside everything else, concerned only


    for her.


    “She’s fine with me here, Jareth said, his voice hoarse.


    Hamilton’s eagle eyes swept over the scene, finally resting on the young couple, his gaze softening.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    “Dad, what brings you here so suddenly? Frederic descended the steps, his expression rigid.


    “If I hadn’te, who knows how much more my dear granddaughter would have been bullied by you


    all! And who knows what kind of nonsense you would have spouted here!” Hamilton red at him,


    nearly wishing he could stand up and kick him!


    Frederic’s neck flushed red. “Dad! How can you say that? Mari is my daughter, and everything I do is


    for her best!”


    “Pah!” Hamilton spat in front of everyone. “In the end, you’re just trying to salvage your lost pride!


    That’s why you’re pressuring Mari, exploiting the emotions of these two young people, and


    shamelessly insulting Jareth!”


    Jareth looked at his grandfather with a lump in his throat and tears in his eyes.


    “Listen to yourself! I’m disgusted just hearing it. I feel like I need to go to the hospital to have my ears


    cleaned out after listening to that filth!”


    Hamilton scornfully surveyed Frederic. “In my opinion, the one who can’t see clearly and doesn’t realize


    they’ve been deceived is you! To have married that universally despised viper Elspeth, how could you


    be anything but emotionally inept? Mari is a thousand times stronger than you. Just don’t drag my


    granddaughter down with you!”