Chapter 723
“We’ll do it together.”
No matter what we have to do, we are together in this. I will not let him deal with it all on his own.
“All right. We’ll do it together.”
A strategy was required to deal with the Sable family—an intricate, subtle strategy.
Tristan began scheming. Sean and the others knew what he wanted to do and did not stop him. Instead, they helped with his planning.
Meanwhile, in Anglandur, Nicholas was furious upon finding out what Javier had done.
“I told you before, stay out of my affairs. Why won’t you ever listen?” Nicholas shouted hysterically. I have lain low this whole time.
Javier did not expect him to find out about that.
Even worse, he had hired five of the best hitmen in the world, none of whom were left alive.
“I told you, Nicholas, I won’t let Alex die in vain!”
Alex is family. His death shall not go unavenged.
Nicholas’ face was scrunched up.
“Then don’t blame me for what I’m about to do. I’m just trying to protect the woman I love.”
I can’t stop loving her just because Alex is dead.
“Wake up, Nicholas! How many times do I have to tell you she doesn’t love you back? She will be the death of you if you keep going down this path.”
I can’t believe Sophie survived this.
“Even if I were to die by her hand, it’s my business.”
“Do you think yourself noble? You still don’t know, do you? She’s getting married to Tristan.”
Surely he’ll give up after this.
“No, she won’t. She’ll only marry me. Nobody else can marry her.” The wedding hasn’t taken place yet, anyway. I will not allow that to happen.
Javier frowned.
“Wake up, Nicholas. I told you Tristan and Sophie are getting married, and everybody knows how protective he is. What do you think you’re going to accomplish?”
Why won’t this boy give up? I don’t wish to see him hurt. Tristan doesn’t show anybody mercy.
“I will refrain from harming Sophie, but I want you to stay away from her. There are many other women out there. You’re free to have any one of them.” I’m worried that something will happen to him.
Nicholas had had enough. “As I said, stay out of my business. I’ve got this handled.”
So what if there are plenty of other women out there? I only want her, and I can’t help myself.
She was seared like a brand upon his heart, which he could not remove. His heart ached every time he thought of her.
I hate being this dramatic, yet love is an impossible matter over which nobody has any control.
“I am sending you to the psychiatric nursing home, and you should get some rest there. Don’t concern yourself with the affairs of our family any longer. I’m going to take over, anyway.”
“I am your father, Nicholas. I don’t wish to be placed in a psychiatric nursing home. I’m in excellent health. There’s no reason for me to be there.”
“I’m doing this for your safety, Dad. You’ve always known what a willful child I am, and I don’t know what I would do if you kept going.”
There was a manic glint in Nicholas’ eyes.
“Don’t you dare place me on house arrest, Nicholas. I’m the head of this family!” Is he thinking of replacing me while I’m still alive?
“What are you talking about, Dad? You’re not going to die! Don’t worry. I’ll keep you alive and well.”
Having had enough of the conversation, he gestured for the servants to bring his father away.
Javier was beside himself with rage. “How dare you treat me like this, Nicholas? Everything I did is for your own good! How could you do this to me for a woman?”
However, Nicholas did not even give him the opportunity to protest.
He’s lucky that nothing happened to Sophie, or I’ll kill him as well. Nobody can harm her.
“What do you plan to do now, Boss?” Richard asked. Previously Alex’s assistant, he had taken over the latter’s spot upon his death.
“What do I plan to do? I, too, would like to know what my options are.”
Sophie said she had never loved me, and it had been a one-sided love affair the entire time.
Naturally, he was greatly saddened by those words.
What else can I do? Surely I can’t just give up? I would have done so long ago if I could instead of dragging it on up to this point, hurting others and myself in the process.
“No matter what you ask, Boss, I will do it to the best of my abilities.” Being new to his position, Richard was eager to prove himself.
“All right. Leave me for now.”
I need to think about it carefully. She’s about to get married, isn’t she? Only I can be Sophie’s groom, no one else. I cannot accept another in my place.
“I will have you return to me of your own free will, Sophie.” No price is too high for this endeavor.
Upon finding out about Tristan and Sophie’s wedding, William summoned his son, who waited quietly instead of commenting on the old man’s palpable discomfort.
“Why, you little—” William was livid. “Ah, forget it. I’m not going to hold you against it. You’ve been this way since you were a boy, anyway. Bring Sophie home one day and make an appointment to discuss the wedding with her parents.”
They will be going through with the wedding whether or not I give them my blessing. He’s still my son. How can I stand idly by when he’s getting married?
Despite the Lombard family’s reputation in Jipsdale, they placed great emphasis on etiquette.
“Don’t concern yourself with the wedding, Dad. I will make all the arrangements.” Dad is getting old. He shouldn’t have to worry about me.
Besides, it was his wedding, which he hoped to have a hand in its preparation and preside over its decisions.
“What do you mean by that? You still have to let me meet Sophie! Isn’t that something you should do now that you’re officially getting married?”
“All right, I will.”
Tristan was being difficult on purpose in response to his father’s awkwardness, against which the latter could do nothing.
That night, Tristan picked Sophie up. William had also called Lincoln to return. Sarah and Ysabelle were also there.
The family had not gotten together in a long time.
“Have you made your peace with it, Dad?” Lincoln asked over a game of chess with William. Judging by his carefree demeanor, he must have gotten over it.
“What can I do otherwise? I’m not getting any younger, and all of you are learning to defy me. Who among you would still heed my words?”
