His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 612

Gary glared at his wife with a mix of irritation and disbelief. Her timing couldn't be worse.

Even though Marilla was Elspeth's daughter, she was undoubtedly Frederic's progeny—a true heiress to the Abernathy estate.

Although Gary had his designs on using the girl for his own schemes, deep down, he didn't want Jareth to actually marry into the Abernathy family's daughter. Such a union would legitimize their alliance, making Frederic Jareth's father-in-law!

Wouldn't that just give the young wolf more teeth?

No, Gary needed a dual strategy.

Either use the girl as leverage to block Jareth from ascending to the CEO position or, as a concession, allow Jareth to become CEO but prevent a marriage with the Abernathy conglomerate at all costs!

Jareth's words cast a pall over the dining room atmosphere.

Barry's silvery eyebrows tightened, but he did not look at his grandson.

Barry hadn't spoken yet, but Mrs. Fairhaven, unable to contain herself, burst out, "Jareth, don't you understand the rules of a family banquet? Only Fairhaven blood should be present. Bringing an outsider, what does that say about us?"

"Outsider?"

A flame flickered in Jareth's heart, and his eyes narrowed, a frost settling over his handsome features. "Never mind, Marilla will soon be no outsider. She will be my wife, and thus, a member of the Fairhaven family."

Mrs. Fairhaven's throat tightened, "Jareth, now is not the time for this!"

"I came tonight precisely to discuss this."

Jareth slowly stood, his imposing figure turning towards Barry, eyes blazing with resolve.

"Grandpa, I've come to inform you and everyone here. I intend to marry Marilla. I ask for your blessing."

With those words, Jareth bowed deeply to Barry.

Barry now directed his gaze at his grandson, his pupils dilating with shock!

Jareth, the unruly prince of the family, had never before shown such deference or seriousness.

For the sake of the Abernathy lady, he was willing to bend his proud head.

"Jareth, an Abernathy girl is not someone I would approve of."

Barry's glare was sharp as a blade, his tone laden with scorn and displeasure, "Be it Glynnis or your beloved Marilla, they can't escape the fact that they are the daughters of a murderer. Elspeth has been sentenced to death. The footage of her trial is all over the internet. Marrying her daughter, what does that signal? Are you cleaning up the mess of that snaky woman?"

Mrs. Fairhaven nodded vigorously in agreement.

The other family members, engrossed in their steaks and wine, couldn't help but show sly smirks at the unfolding drama.

But Jareth stood, alone and cold as if in a frigid wasteland, his eyes red with rage.

"Jareth, you are of a higher stature than even Thaddeus. What woman couldn't you have? Why settle for a murderer's daughter? If word gets out, who knows what ridicule we will face!"

Barry shook his head, his face stern, "This match is not fitting. I cannot give my blessing."

"Grandpa! The mistakes Elspeth made are her own, what have they to do with her daughter?"

Jareth's voice rose, his forehead veins bulging, "Moreover, Marilla wasn't even born when Elspeth committed her crime. She's innocent. You can't judge her with such prejudice!"

"The sins of the previous generation should not fall on the next. But the actions of the parents can deeply affect their children."

Barry's voice was unyielding, no longer leaving room for sentiment, "What good can come from a daughter raised by Elspeth? Not to mention her elder sister, Glynnis, who paraded her parents' influence to bully my granddaughter! Your mother hid this from me for a long time. They are blood sisters. How much better can the younger be than the older?"

Mrs. Fairhaven chimed in quickly, "Dad, you're absolutely right! Everything you've said, I've been wanting to say!"

"Grandpa! You've only met Marilla briefly, never even had a conversation with her. You haven't taken the time to understand her, how can you rush to such a judgment?"

Jareth clenched his jaw, his blood boiling with indignation.

He couldn't stand to hear a single word against her!

Marilla lived in a small world of happiness that he had painstakingly built for her. What she didn't know was that just one step outside that world, she would be facing a barrage of slander and gossip.

He wanted to shield her from all harm, to have the entire Fairhaven family recognize her status, not keep her hidden away like a mistress.

But clearly, taking that step was proving to be much more difficult than he had anticipated.