For David, watching a cooked duck fly away felt as painful as if his heart had been gouged out.
Originally, both families were preparing for an alliance, and Logan had always been courteous to him. David was planning to have Logan support him further, but his attitude suddenly changed.
David took the initiative to suggest that Luke and Isabella should get engaged first, but Logan didn’t respond positively. He even hinted indirectly to return the white jade bracelet himself.
At that moment, David couldn’t figure out where things had gone wrong and could only stew in his frustration.
He returned home feeling stifled, sat on the couch, and remained silent with a cold expression.
Charlotte was adept at reading the signs and sensed his bad mood. She didn’t dare to say much and carefully placed a cup of tea in front of him, gently massaging his shoulders.
Her massage techniques were learned from a professional masseuse, and although David remained silent with his eyes closed, his complexion improved significantly.
While massaging him, she observed his expression and tentatively said, “Mrs. Miller’s bracelet is still with me. When do you think we could find time to visit their house and discuss Isabella and Luke’s marriage?”
Charlotte didn’t care about Isabella marrying just anyone; it was only by marrying into the Miller family that Victoria could enter the Mitchell family’s doors, as Caleb had promised.
So, to ensure her daughter’s entry into the four major families, Charlotte now wished to hand Isabella over to Luke on a silver platter.
However, the moment she mentioned this proposal, David’s recently relaxed demeanor suddenly turned icy.
He forcefully pushed away Charlotte’s hand on his shoulder, nearly causing her to stumble.
“Have Victoria return the bracelet and refrain from bringing up their family matters. This venture is more trouble than it’s worth,” David snapped in anger.
Charlotte understood; he was blaming Victoria for creating this embarrassment.
Charlotte felt deeply wronged; David had initially agreed to Isabella and Luke’s marriage. Now that trouble had arisen, he placed all the blame on her and their daughter.
“Victoria had good intentions, solely considering your and our family’s well-being and Isabella’s lifelong happiness. If you must blame someone, blame Isabella’s unfortunate fate. She got involved with a strange man… got pregnant before marriage. Although we tried to cover it up, paper can’t hide fire forever. The Miller family, with their status, how could they dare to accept such a daughter-in-law?”
Charlotte cried as she spoke, appearing both innocent and pitiful, completely absolving herself of any responsibility.
The failure of the Miller family’s marriage proposal wasn’t her fault; it was all because Isabella herself wasn’t clean and decent.
David’s expression remained grim, but he didn’t explode at Charlotte. He merely reprimanded her in a tone devoid of emotion.
Charlotte listened obediently, then handed him a cup of tea to calm him down.
Coincidentally, Emily descended the stairs. Charlotte, seizing an opportunity, tentatively suggested, “They don’t like Isabella, but you still have Emily, don’t you?”
At the other end, Emily heard her mother’s words as she walked downstairs, showing a hint of joy on her face. She slowed her steps, moving gracefully down the stairs.
For her, marrying into the Miller family was a good choice. The Miller family had prestige, Luke was promising, tall and handsome, and even held the title of movie king, a suitable match for her.
“Dad,” Emily approached David with a coy and bashful tone.
She was about to go out and had dressed exceptionally beautifully and alluringly. Low-cut formal attire, big wavy curls, thick dark eyelashes, colored contact lenses, and the lips painted in the latest trendy style.
Such attire, if seen in a public setting, would surely attract attention. However, being at home and seeing his daughter dressed so revealingly made it quite discomforting.
Moreover, seeing her, David couldn’t help but think about the Brown family’s matters, leading to another wave of frustration.
The Brown family was on the brink of bankruptcy, and the Harris family had annulled the engagement, resulting in a reputation for kicking someone when they’re down. Even now, people were still mocking him behind his back.
“Go change your clothes and wash your face before you leave! Your casual attire is a disgrace to our family’s reputation,” David demanded.
Emily’s smile froze instantly, and she was furious. She was about to attend a birthday party and had dressed up meticulously. Currently single, such parties were filled with eligible young men from influential families.
“Mom, look at Dad, he’s just too traditional! Should I wrap myself up like a zongzi before I go out to avoid embarrassment?” Emily complained, leaving Charlotte with a headache. Her daughter was both willful and disregarded anyone’s opinions, openly opposing David, the head of the household. What benefit did this behavior bring to them? Had she enjoyed a good enough life and now wished to be kicked out?
“Your father told you to change your clothes, so just hurry up and do it. No need for so many words,” Charlotte pushed Emily upstairs with frustration in her tone.
In the background, David’s angry rebukes could be heard intermittently, “With this appearance, she still wants to marry into the Miller family? She should look in the mirror and see her own conduct. Abortion and a broken engagement-does her reputation fare better than Isabella’s? Isabella is at least the heir of Moonlit Art Inc. What does she have that could attract Luke’s attention? It’s simply wishful thinking!”
Emily stayed hidden in her room, crying from David’s scolding.
“I’m his own daughter; how could Dad say such things about me?”
Charlotte couldn’t help but sigh, “Haven’t you figured out your father these years? Only daughters who can bring him benefits receive his regard. Otherwise, in his eyes, they’re worthless.”
After saying this, Charlotte handed a box of tissues to Emily, “Well, wipe your tears and go to the party. Show some spirit, find a man with power and influence. Your father won’t dare to belittle you then.”