His eyes scrutinized Casper with an unabashed intensity, like a future father-in-law sizing up his daughter's boyfriend and finding him increasingly lacking.
"I heard you've been married before?" Ronan's voice was slow and deep, carrying a hint of disdain.
No one expected Ronan's first question to be this.
Dillon's heart sank, his eyes involuntarily drawn to the scornful curl of Ronan's lips. This was just plain dumb.
Susan was also taken aback. "Dad, you're saying Casper was married before? To whom? How come I didn't know? And where did you hear this?"
"That's not important," Ronan gently patted Susan's hand on his arm, signaling her not to worry. "What matters is that from now on, he needs to be completely devoted to you. You're entering your first marriage, but this is his second."
Dillon was exasperated. With Casper's qualifications, forget a second marriage. Third, fourth, fifth—people would still line up to marry him. Was Ronan trying to elevate himself by putting Casper down? Had he forgotten why he came to Falconridge? If he wanted to use the Welton family as leverage to expand his own business, he should be humble, not act like he's bestowing a favor by marrying his daughter to Casper.
Did he not understand Casper's temperament, or did he think Casper was an easy target?
Casper chuckled mockingly, looking at Ronan. "Mr. Ronan, you've done your homework. Not only have I been married, but I'm also not divorced yet. I even have a child, so I really don't measure up to your precious daughter."
Susan was stunned. What did she just hear? Casper wasn't divorced yet? So if she got involved with him, she'd be the other woman? A wealthy heiress like her, becoming a mistress? But she had never seen Casper's wife. Could her father's reckless words have angered Casper, making him say this on purpose?
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