Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 265

Before she could finish, York shot Patricia a harsh glare. “Both of you, shut up!”

The women in his house were never peaceful, and he was growing tired of their chatter.

Stephanie sat there quietly, looking perfectly well-behaved.

York asked, “Stephanie, do you have anything to say?”

So this was what it meant to marry into a family. Jonathan hadn’t said a thing, but the rest of the Vasquez clan was already pointing fingers.

Stephanie said softly, “I have nothing to explain. Only those who’ve done wrong need to explain themselves. Dad, I haven’t done anything wrong.”

Patricia immediately jumped in. “Look at her attitude! She’s completely unrepentant.”

“Patricia, what do you mean, unrepentant? Do you trust the baseless rumors from the media more than your own family? You seem so eager to label me.”

As Stephanie spoke, her eyes reddened, and she looked utterly wronged.

“How is my relationship with the Gonzalez family unclear? I was raised by them. After the engagement was broken, Quennel was the one who wouldn't let go and started spreading rumors. I’ve already made my stance clear in public. What more do you want me to do?”

“Patricia, I was wrong to have offended you last time, and I apologize. Please, let me be. Can’t you stop making things difficult for a helpless orphan like me?”

Patricia was stunned, never expecting Stephanie to turn the tables on her.

Stephanie’s words made it sound as if Patricia had committed some terrible crime and was bullying her mercilessly.

But as Patricia thought back, she couldn’t recall doing anything of the sort.

Patricia was about to defend herself when a figure walked in from the entrance.

The butler froze. “Sir?”

Stephanie replied, “I was afraid you were busy.”

Jonathan said, “Getting bullied like this, and you’re still worrying about me. Stephanie, I didn’t realize you cared about me so much.”

Their eyes met, and Stephanie bit her lip, playing along. “Someone has been trying to drive a wedge between us in front of Dad. As a junior member of the family, I had no choice but to come when I was summoned.”

“Is that so?” Jonathan’s gaze shifted to the other side of the table.

His eyes swept over Patricia, then York. Even Mark, who was still engrossed in his iPad, sensed that something was wrong.

Elva rushed to play the peacemaker. “Look how good their relationship is. I told you the business with Stephanie and Quennel leaving the hotel was just a misunderstanding. Patricia, you’re just overreacting. I’m sure nothing happened between them.”

Then, Elva gestured for a maid to set a place for Jonathan. “You must be hungry after rushing over here in the middle of the day.”

Patricia forced a stiff smile. “Jonathan, I was just worried you’d get hurt in your relationship. After all, you haven't had much experience with women. Some girls these days are very deceptive… Who knows what they did behind closed doors in that hotel room…”