Chapter 442
Willow was devastated.
How could he say something like that to me? Am I that unworthy?
“What are you trying to say? How am I not qualified? I work hard, have good results, know how to draw, and even have a pretty face!”
Felix was speechless.
“In your eyes, is Sophie the only one who’s fit to be in high society? Can the Lombard family really accept her past?”
If I don’t qualify, what does Sophie have that makes her different?
“Since you insist on bringing up the past, do you really think Mr. Tristan isn’t aware of what you’ve done?”
Willow fell silent.
The matter happened so long ago. How can he have any evidence?
“Let me tell you, all of us are well aware of what kind of person Sophie is. Your malicious words are not welcome here. If you don’t keep this in mind, we won’t be so forgiving next time!”
Before leaving, Felix ordered his men, “Send her back to the Tanner residence!”
Upon Willow’s return, she changed into a different outfit, but her face remained just as sullen.
The look on her face subsequently gave Charmaine a fright.
“Willa, aren’t you supposed to be on a trip with your friends? What’s with that look on your face? Tell me, did something happen? Say something, Willa! Why are you keeping mum? The way you’re behaving is scaring me!”
Charmaine was on the brink of tears.
She was fine before the trip. Did something go wrong?
“Mom, have I been deluding myself all this while? Was I never cut out for high society to start with?”
“What makes you say that? Are you arguing with Clayton, or did he bully you?” If Clayton was the reason, there was little she could do.
“Willa, I know what a proud girl you are, but with someone like Clayton, you have to be able to swallow your pride, all right?”
Getting married into high society isn’t a walk in the park.
“Clayton doesn’t like me at all!” Why didn’t he show any concern when I was gone for a few days?
“Willa, does it really matter? Do you think your dad loves me?”
Charmaine’s reply left Willow speechless.
Mom’s right. Feelings aren’t important as long as we can achieve our desires. Everything else doesn’t matter!
Just then, Willow received a call from Clayton, and she wiped the tears off her face before answering.
“Hello, Clayton. What is it?”
After a pause, she continued, “Okay, I got it. I’ll be right there.”
As this was Willow’s only opportunity left, she had no choice but to see Clayton at his request.
I can’t let this chance go to waste. Or else, I’ll have nothing left!
Upon her arrival at Zales Corporation, Clayton’s assistant came to receive her personally.
“Welcome, Ms. Tanner, Clayton has asked me to pick you up.”
Willow was caught by surprise, as this was the first time Clayton demonstrated how important she was to him even though they haven’t been together for long.
Thereafter, the assistant ushered her to Clayton’s office and opened the door to let her in.
“Clayton has something important to discuss. I’ll let the two of you have some privacy.” With that, the assistant shut the door behind her.
“Clayton, you wanted to see me?”
“Willow, let’s get married!” Clayton proposed, holding up a ring.
Willow was taken by surprise.
“Get married?”
I haven’t even gone to university, and we’re talking about marriage?
“Clayton, talk to me. Did something happen? Even if we’re going to marry, there’s no need to rush!”
She was still young after all.
“I just feel like it all of a sudden. Why? Are you reluctant to do so?”
Willow shook her head immediately.
“It’s not that. I just don’t know how to tell my family. Grandpa went ballistic over my last engagement.”
If we were to get married outright, I’m worried that…
“Willow, what do you think your Grandpa will give you? Will he leave you with all the Tanner family’s assets?”
Clayton’s candid words caused Willow to bite her lower lip.
He’s right. Grandpa won’t give me anything. All he cares about is Sophie.
“All right, Clayton. Let’s get married!”
Clayton couldn’t help but smile at her response.
Once I become a son-in-law of the Tanner family, Sophie will be forced to stay her hand against me. Furthermore, she’ll have to show me some respect as her brother-in-law.
When Josiah heard about the news, he erupted in anger, causing Charmaine to shake her head.
“Dad, I know that you favor Sophie, but you can’t just object to all of Willow’s decisions. Marrying Clayton is the best choice available to her!”
Clayton is so much better compared to Mason.
Josiah could only shake his head at Charmaine’s words.
“As her mother, you bear the greatest responsibility for what she has become!” If she hadn’t kept planting the idea of marrying into a wealthy family in her daughter, Willow wouldn’t have turned out this way.
He added, “Do you really think Clayton is a good man, and Willow would be happy marrying him?”
Josiah was so infuriated that he could barely catch his breath.
Charmaine is just too narrow-minded. That’s the reason why I never liked her.
Morgan quickly poured him a glass of water.
“Old Mr. Tanner, please calm down. Here, have some water.” Due to Josiah’s advanced age, he still had plenty of ailments despite his successful surgery. After all, when one’s body began to decay due to old age, there was no stopping the process.
Consequently, one had no choice but to accept it.
“I’m fine. Give Sophie a call and tell her to come back.”
At the end of the day, Willow was still a member of the Tanner family, and he didn’t want to see her suffer. To him, Clayton was someone bound to be ruined sooner or later.
“Dad, what’s the point of asking Sophie to come?” Charmaine lamented. “Is it necessary to worsen their already strained relationship?”
There’s no need for this, is there?
She continued, “To be honest, Clayton is a decent guy.”
“Charmaine, every rich guy to you is decent.”
“Dad, among all the men out there, Mr. Tristan is the only one you approve of. But where are we going to find another like him?”
Not everyone is as lucky as Sophie.
“Enough! You know nothing, so shut up.” Furious at Charmaine, Josiah didn’t mince his words toward her.
“Dad, I’m aware that you frown upon Yale and me. But on this matter, both of us are standing by Willow. Whatever you say isn’t going to make a difference,” Charmaine declared after mustering her courage. Her support for her daughter’s desire was unconditional.
