Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 188

188 /217

Robert set his teacup down and leaned back. Even from a seated position, he managed to look down on her with an air of absolute superiority.

"I have already disciplined his mother for this. As for Randal's condition, we will ensure Dr. Wallace treats him properly. You don't need to concern yourself with it."

"If you are willing to leave, I can arrange for you to go abroad right now. I guarantee he will never be able to find you."

"Mr. Yates," Willa finally spoke up, her tone firm and unyielding. "Norvale is my home. I grew up here. I will not let someone else's actions turn me into a homeless exile in a foreign country. Furthermore, none of this is my fault to begin with."

A beat of heavy silence descended upon the room. A flash of stunned disbelief crossed Robert's stern face. He clearly hadn't expected such a blatant refusal.

Sitting beside him, Eleanor frowned coldly and chimed in. "Regardless of whose fault it is, the Yates family will ensure you are more than fairly compensated. You really ought to weigh the pros and cons, Ms. Vance."

Her tone carried that same condescending air of charity. To them, there was no problem in the world that money couldn't solve.

Since they were being so blunt, Willa decided she no longer needed to bite her tongue.

"Does Randal actually want to be used as a pawn in your arranged marriage? Have either of you ever cared about what he truly wants?"

"Willa!" Eleanor sprang to her feet, furious. "Don't think that just because we're being civil, you have the right to spew this nonsense—"

Robert raised a hand, silencing his wife. "That is none of your concern, Ms. Vance. Randal agreed to this marriage himself. We did not force him."

His face darkened. "Furthermore, a man is born with duties. He carries the Yates name, and he has enjoyed every privilege that comes with it. Therefore, he must make sacrifices for the family. That is a lesson he should have learned from a very young age."

Willa couldn't stop herself from defending Randal. "If beating him half to death doesn't count as forcing him... then I truly don't understand the Yates family's parenting methods."