Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 95

Torrin stared in disbelief at the radiant woman on the stage.

That was Larissa. What was she doing here? And what did she mean, this party was for her?

He had been in such a foul mood after their phone call that he had barely paid attention to where his father was dragging him.

Larissa was the new Judson heiress!

He didn’t know what to feel. All he knew was that a wave of profound regret was washing over him. Why had he broken up with her? If he had just held on a little longer, she would have been his perfect match. There would have been no issue of status, no imbalance.

“That must be your daughter speaking. She’s quite poised,” his father, Colter, was saying.

Torrin had known Larissa for two years. He knew how captivating she could be. Her only flaw had been her lowly status. But now… now she was a Judson. They could be married, and it would be a perfect match.

“Dad, I want to marry her,” Torrin declared, pointing at Larissa.

The statement brought the polite conversation to a grinding halt. Neville and Sapphira stared at him in shock.

Sapphira recovered first, her expression turning stormy. “Mr. Dillon, who is this?”

Colter flushed with embarrassment. “Like your daughter, he’s my son, recently returned to the family. He… still lacks some manners.” He lowered his voice, hissing at Torrin, “I brought you here to network with your peers, not to spout nonsense!”

But Torrin was unrepentant. “You said you wanted to make things up to me, Dad. You said you’d grant me anything within reason. Well, this is what I want. I’m going to marry Larissa.”

Sapphira’s face went cold. “Let’s put aside the fact that Larissa is already engaged,” she said, her voice dripping with fury. “Her hand in marriage is not something you can simply demand!”

“She may have been your girlfriend before, but she is a Judson now!” Colter snapped. “Your behavior was completely out of line!”

“I don’t care. Dad, what did they mean she’s engaged?”

Colter gestured across the room. “You see that man in the wheelchair over there?”

Torrin followed his father’s gaze and saw a man of striking good looks, surrounded by admiring women.

A cripple.

“That’s Haskell Palmer. He was once the most sought-after bachelor in Regal City. The Palmers arranged his engagement to Honora Judson, but after his accident, the Judsons were reluctant to go through with it. It’s almost certain they’re having the new heiress marry him in Honora’s place.”