From Heir's Ex to His Aunt novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15 You Don’t Want the Marriage? I’ll Marry Ms Gibson

Austin fixed his gaze on the young woman who was arguing with him. His tone low and deep, “Ms. Gibson, you said it yourself. Fleeting entanglements don’t need to be taken seriously.”

Alicia couldn’t understand it. How could he change his mind in an instant?

She wetted her lips and wanted to persuade him further. However, the car had already stopped near the Gibson Residence.

Austin reminded her coolly, “Ms. Gibson, we’ve arrived.”

The fact that their families lived so close together was hardly a good thing. Alicia opened the door and stepped out. Before leaving, she put on her gracious, well–mannered smile back in place–the one she always wore in front of others.

“Mr. Burton, I’m serious about the marriage alliance. I hope you’ll give it some thought.”

Austin leaned lazily back against the leather seat. The streetlight spilled across his chest, leaving his face hidden in the shadows. His expression was unreadable.

He idly twisted the ring on his finger, the platinum band catching the light with a cold gleam.

It was only then that Alicia remembered he had taken the ring she wanted to propose to David with after she got drunk.

Her eyes fell to his fingers. “That ring…”

“Consider this your compensation to me.”

He smiled coldly. “As for the alliance, I’d advise you to give up on it, Miss. Gibson. And kindly close the door behind you. Goodbye.”

Stunned, Alicia mechanically closed the car door.

And the car sped off, vanishing before her eyes.

She stood there in disbelief and murmured under her breath, “Gosh. What’s wrong with Austin?”

He pursued her first, yet he was the one cutting ties so ruthlessly.

Alicia returned home to find the rest of the Gibson family waiting for her. She could feel Frank’s displeased gaze the moment she entered.

“Dad, what’s wrong?”

“You know today is about Aria and Mr. David’s marriage. And yet you still prepared food and buttered up to Mrs. Burton. What exactly are you plotting? You’re still using those underhanded tricks you used as a child to steal attention.”

Alicia snickered at his accusation. “And you’re still the same as you were back then, Dad. You believe whatever she says. It was agreed that we’d go to the hotel together.

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Chapter 15 You Don’t Want the Marriage? I’ll Marry Ms Gibson

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“But why was I left behind? If I hadn’t shown up, or if I hadn’t smoothed things over with gifts, wouldn’t the Burtons think the heiress of the Gibsons ignorant and rude?

“And Aria. She made you all leave just to make me look bad. Let me ask you this. What’s your intention? If Mrs. Burton had a bad impression of me, wouldn’t it affect how she sees the whole family?”

Her words made Frank’s expression change. He snapped toward Aria. “Alicia isn’t wrong. Why did you tell us to go ahead without her today?”

Aria rushed to defend herself, “Dad, don’t listen to her. She’s twisting things around!”

“The Burtons only wanted to make initial contact. Nothing’s finalized. Even if there is a marriage alliance, they didn’t specify that it has to be you, Aria.

“On the contrary, Mrs. Burton invited me to make perfume at her home tomorrow. From the looks of it, it seems like she likes me more. But since nothing is set in stone, how am I stealing your spotlight?”

Alicia turned back to Frank with tears glistening in her eyes. “Dad, as long as we can secure a marriage alliance with the Burtons, isn’t that what matters to the family? Compared to Aria, my status and temperament are a better fit.

“I stayed abroad alone all these years without you and Mom by my side. I returned to a home without a room to call mine. And now even Aria is trying to throw me under the bus for the marriage alliance. Dad, do you hate me that much?”

Alicia had lashed out at Kyana and her children after her mother, Audrey Ferrer, passed away. She was too young and fell for Kyana’s manipulation, which drove a wedge between her and Frank.

However, she was no longer that naive little girl. She now knew how to use the same tricks Kyana once used on her and was even better at it. With just a few words, she easily stirred Frank’s pity.

“Silly girl, you’re my daughter. How could I ever hate you? It was our oversight about your room. Which room do you want? I’ll have it redone tomorrow.”

Kyana, who’d kept quiet until now, stiffened. The moment she heard Alicia was planning to stay at the house, she coughed and interjected, “Frank, renovations will fill the house and chemicals. Even when it’s done, there’ll be formaldehyde everywhere.

“Surely Alicia can’t wait that long. She’s our eldest daughter. People will gossip if they know she’s staying in the maid’s room or the guest room. I think you should pick from one of our properties. If there’s none you like, we can just buy you a new house. You can’t be shortchanged.”

She had said it sweetly, but her real goal was to send Alicia away. She was afraid Alicia would reconcile with Frank and pull her down from the position she had worked hard for over the years. So, she wasn’t going to give Alicia the chance to get close to Frank.

Alicia saw right through her and replied quietly, “It’s alright. I like the attic. It’s quiet and spacious.”

“That won’t do.”

“Dad, I lost Mom early. I’ve been alone all these years. I know Mom’s death was an accident. I didn’t come back to break you and Kyana apart. I want to be part of this family. I want to be loved, too.

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Chapter 15 You Don’t Want the Marriage? I’ll Marry Ms Gibson

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Finished

“Kyana, if you’re still angry at me, I apologize. Just don’t drive me away, please?”

Alicia’s pity card made Kyana’s expression darken immediately.

Frank rushed to say, “This is your home. No one will drive you away. If you like the attic, it’s yours. Just tell the butler whatever else you may need.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Alicia slipped her arm through his just like she had when she was little. “You’re the best, Dad.”

He was dazed for a moment. He then reached to pat her head. “Be good. Behave yourself at the Burtons

tomorrow.”

“I know. I’m going to rest now. Goodnight, Dad. Goodnight, Kyana.”

Frank was pleased to see Alicia become more sensible the older she got. He used to be troubled by her strained relationship with Kyana. However, it seems he needn’t worry too much.

Kyana noticed Frank’s change of mood and frowned. “Frank, the alliance…”

“The Burtons originally wanted Alicia, but Aria put herself forward. Now that Alicia’s back, I think we should let fate decide this for them. Let’s see who Mr. David picks. They’re both my daughters. I can’t play favorites.”

“But-”

“Enough. It’s time to rest.” Frank waved dismissively as he went up the stairs to check on Alicia.

On the other hand, back in Sylvoria, David got a call from Austin. With a flick of a lighter, Austin exhaled a ring of smoke and asked, “When’re you coming back?”

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