She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Lyra drove back to the estate. As she stepped out of the car, she was in high spirits and told the butler to fill up her brother’s gas tank the next day on her dime.

Mr. Lawrence looked at her glowing expression and hesitated. “Miss Lyra, your father and the rest of the family are waiting for you inside…”

Seeing the tension on the butler’s face, Lyra instantly knew she was walking into a storm.

The moment she stepped into the living room, she saw her entire family assembled. Even Liam, Martha’s high-school-aged son, was standing near the back.

Catching her eye, the teenager offered a quick gesture of solidarity, shrank his neck, and bolted for the staff quarters.

Arthur Fairchild had already been raging for a while.

Caleb was trying to talk him down. “Dad, Rowan is far too arrogant. He doesn’t respect Lyra at all. She only did this because he’s hurt her one too many times…”

Spotting Lyra walking in, Caleb shot his sister a frantic look, signaling her to tread carefully.

“Lyra Fairchild, you finally decided to show up? Look at what you’ve done! You’ve nearly given Dad a heart attack!” Caleb scolded loudly, putting on a show for their father.

Arthur sat rigidly on the sofa, a half-smoked cigar clamped between his fingers. On the coffee table in front of him rested the velvet box containing the Jameson heirloom ring.

Lyra’s heart sank.

Victoria had sent it back.

Arthur let out a heavy sigh, his tone sharp and commanding. “Lyra, you are being completely unreasonable. Marriage is not a child’s game! What couple doesn’t have arguments? You got mad over some trivial matter and actually marched over to the Jamesons’ to return the ring? Without even telling us? When Victoria called me, I was utterly humiliated! How am I supposed to face our peers in this city?”

“Do you remember how overjoyed you were when you received this ring? You were so happy you couldn’t sleep. A few years pass, and suddenly you say you don’t like him anymore, so you just return the ring behind our backs? You cannot treat life this recklessly.”

Arthur picked up the velvet box and slowly walked over to her.

“Thank God Victoria was the only one home.”

“She said we don’t need to alert Alistair, and Rowan doesn’t know either. Take this back and keep it safe.”

Lyra stared at the box, making no move to take it.

Delilah carefully took the box, wrapped it securely in a silk handkerchief, and prepared to head upstairs.

“Stop!”

Lyra stepped into her mother’s path. “You all know Rowan is dating Jasmine Ford, right? And even knowing that, you still want to hold onto that stupid ring?”

Caleb winced. “Stupid… stupid ring?”

Countless women in Seaborne City would kill for that ring. The Fairchilds only secured this engagement because of a life debt from decades ago.

Arthur’s expression remained stern. He spoke in a low, lecturing tone. “Victoria explicitly told me that no matter how many women Rowan entertains outside, the only woman he will ever marry is Lyra Fairchild. The Jameson family only recognizes you. Isn’t that enough?”

“No, it’s not!” Lyra shouted, a lump forming in her throat.

Knowing his daughter’s stubborn streak had been triggered, Arthur waved his hand, signaling Delilah to take the ring upstairs.

“This is a debt the Jamesons owe us. Your grandfather saved Alistair’s life, and this marriage was their sworn agreement.”