Skipped At The Altar, Taken By His Uncle novel Chapter 243

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Mindy frowned, clearly annoyed. “Dad, they don’t have any real responsibilities at the company. What else are they supposed to do but just kill time?”

“Ridiculous! Mindy, are you saying you’re unhappy with the positions your Joanne’s father arranged for them?” Mr. Falls snapped.

“With them being so flighty and playful, what serious positions could they possibly handle? And Joanne isn’t even working at the company, but you don’t see her lazing around all day, do you?” Mr. Falls retorted.

“Besides, you’re an elder. Your husband’s always been generous with you, so why are you still buying clothes from your niece’s shop and not paying up?” Mr. Falls added.

Mindy’s face darkened with anger. “Dad, don’t listen to whatever Joanne’s been snitching about me!”

“Enough! Joanne’s got better things to do than snitch on you! But let me warn you, don’t go hanging around her shop for no reason. Next time I catch you there, I’ll talk to your husband about how much you’re spending,” Mr. Falls said.

Mindy couldn’t believe how much her father-in-law was favoring Joanne. It was almost ridiculous.

She was so mad that she skipped dinner and just waited at the hotel for her husband to get back.

When her husband saw her ranting non-stop, he just rubbed his temples in frustration.

“Mindy, can you just chill out for once? I’ve been busy with business dinners and working with my brother on some projects back home. He’s planning to move things back to the domestic market, so I really don’t have time to listen to you complain about all this trivial stuff. Just behave yourself and stop picking on Joanne for no reason. She’s my niece. As her aunt, you really shouldn’t keep mooching off her,” he said.

‘Can you believe this?’ Mindy thought, baffled and a little betrayed. Her own husband wouldn’t even take her side, choosing to stand with Joanne instead.

Seething with anger, she stomped off to the guest room. If she had to see his face one more time tonight, she’d probably explode.

Right before falling asleep. Joanne’s second uncle Sean was still thinking about how he could make it up to Joanne.

The next morning at breakfast, Joanne didn’t see Mindy come downstairs.

The maid told Mr. Falls, “Mindy says she’s not feeling well, so she’s not coming down for breakfast”

Mr. Falls didn’t seem bothered. “Just have the family doctor take a look, and send up something light for her

to eat in her room.”

Sean smiled at Joanne. Joanne, I heard your shop’s been doing really well lately. Next month, your aunt and 1 are going to a charity gala. Why don’t you pick out a dress for her that you think would suit her? I’ll transfer

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the money to you.”

Joanne gave a faint smile. “Sure, thanks, Uncle Sean.”

She wasn’t about to turn down the money.

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When Sean came back with a red dress, Mindy was absolutely delighted. “Where did you get this? It’s gorgeous!”

Mindy thought her husband had finally gotten the hint, but then he said, “Joanne picked it out for you from her shop. She said it’d look great on you, and she was right. If you like it, that’s all that matters.”

Mindy’s face flushed, and then turned pale. “Did you actually pay for it?”

Sean frowned and shot her a look. “Come on, you think I’d mooch off my own niece?”

Joanne had no clue that Mindy got so worked up that she actually made herself sick just because of that a dress.

Mindy didn’t show her face downstairs for an entire week.

Joanne’s shop was finally on track, with a steady stream of regulars coming in for two months straight. Word of mouth was spreading too, thanks to some of the ladies who kept recommending her place to their friends.

She wasn’t rolling in cash, but she was pretty satisfied. In fact, she was actually pulling in a lot more than she had ever made as an actress.

“Dad, Mom, Jason, I want to go on a trip. I’ll be back in about two weeks,” Joanne said.

Everyone was cool with it.

Jason asked, “Where do you want to go? Need me to tag along?”

Joanne shook her head and waved him off. “No, Jason. I’m not a kid who needs you to babysit me all the time.”

To the Falls family, Joanne was still just a kid in their eyes, no matter how grown up she got.

“I’m heading out to the mountains this time, and it’s not even that far. I’ll take some cool pics of the snowy mountains and drop them in our family chat,” Joanne said.

After Joanne made her announcement, Jason was thinking a bit deeper than their parents.

“Joanne, you’re not going on this trip with Oliver, are you?” Jason asked,

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Chapter 243

Joanne bought herself a set of skiing gear.

This time, she was going solo, no one tagging along

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Driving toward the snowy mountains, Joanne gazed at the rolling peaks lining the road, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of wild, carefree happiness bubbling up inside.

Meanwhile, Oliver was still scheming ways to spend more time alone with her. He showed up at Joanne’s shop.

Her business partner Sue gave him a regretful look and said Joanne had taken a half-month vacation.

“Your chess game today is terrible!” Mr. Falls fired off a blunt roast.

Mr. Falls shot a sideways glance at the board, clearly unimpressed. “It’s so bad! Even my dog plays better than you.”

Oliver was left speechless.

‘Damn, that’s harsh,’ Oliver thought.

Oliver tried everything, but came up empty. He had no idea where Joanne had gone, and just knew that she was off traveling somewhere.

Joanne was on a solo road trip this time, so there were no flight records or tickets to trace. Oliver was totally in the dark, with absolutely no way to track her down.

Oliver’s eyes darkened as he looked at Mr. Falls, pursing his lips. “Mr. Falls, do you happen to know how long your granddaughter is planning to be out traveling this time?”

Mr. Falls raised his eyebrows, his gaze sharp as a hawk as he fixed it on Oliver. Suddenly, it all made sense to him.

‘So that’s why he’s been so out of it lately. He’s got Joanne on his mind,’ Mr. Falls thought.

His mood instantly lifted.

“Well, want to know where our Joanne ran off to for her vacation?” Mr. Falls teased, a sly grin on his face

Oliver jumped up to pour him some coffee. “Absolutely!”

Mr. Falls just took a sip of coffee, refusing to answer.

Oliver was at a loss. “Mr. Falls, tell me please. Aren’t you worried about Joanne heading off so far all by herself?”

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“How about I go with her? Two people are always better than one, right?” Oliver suggested.

Mr. Falls squinted at him. “Honestly, if you’re with her, I’ll be even more worried.”

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“As for you, I’ve been watching you for a while. You’re doing alright so far, but don’t go telling Joanne you heard it from me,” Mr. Falls said, giving him a pointed look.

Oliver nodded like his life depended on it. “Not a word! If she asks, I’ll just say it was pure luck. No way I’d ever give you away, I promise!”

With that assurance, Mr. Falls finally revealed the destination, slow and steady. “The Rocky Mountains.”

Oliver wasted no time. He started making calls and arranging a ride.

“Mr. Falls, I’ve got to run now,” Oliver said, already on his way out.

Mr. Falls watched Oliver practically sprint out the door and just shook his head.

‘What’s the rush?’ Mr. Falls thought.

It had been a while since anyone played chess with him. He really should’ve dragged Oliver into another game.

It wasn’t that Mr. Falls had been won over by Oliver. He’d actually looked into the young man himself, and done a pretty thorough job of it.

Oliver was the only son, graduated from a top university, and was the heir to his family’s business.

He’d spent six whole months abroad just to pursue Joanne. Mr. Falls had to admit, that kind of commitment really impressed him.

As for those old rumors about him being set up for a marriage, Mr. Falls did a deep dive and checked everything out.

Turned out, the other girl had never even met Oliver. Just like he said, it was all just a front to keep his family off his back.

But when it came to Oliver and Joanne, the tabloid stories just kept making headlines, and there was always some new rumor about them.

There were even paparazzi shots of Oliver caught on camera, kneeling to Joanne in a hotel, practically begging her.

Mr. Falls thought, ‘Maybe Oliver could be on the list of candidates, after all.’

Still, everything depended on what Joanne wanted.

Ever since Joanne, the princess of the family and everyone’s favorite, was born, Mr. Falls had told his eldest son and his wife. Whatever Joanne wanted to do, as long as it wasn’t too crazy, they should do their best to support her.

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No need to set her up with an arranged marriage, either.

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Of course, if she couldn’t find the right person herself, the family could always step in and play matchmaker.

Honestly, the hardest time Joanne had ever had was those years she had spent back home grinding it out as an

actress.

All Mr. Falls ever wanted was for Joanne to live safe and happy, and grow old with a smile. That was all he ever wished for.

And as for vetting any man who wanted to marry his granddaughter while he was still kicking, that was definitely on his agenda.

Oliver had no clue that, without even trying, he’d already scored big in Mr. Falls’ eyes.

Joanne was driving and sightseeing, pulling over at safe spots whenever a beautiful view caught her eye to snap a few photos.

She watched the sunrise alone, and later enjoyed the sunset by herself.

She struck up easy conversations with other travelers and soon found herself joining a group of fellow road trippers.

“Joanne, try Joey’s pizza.”

Joanne grinned, thanked him, took a bite, and exclaimed, “Delicious!”

Joey, just twenty-two, blushed at her praise.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said.

The young man Joey was pretty amusing. Every single time Joanne talked to him, he’d blush.

Finally, one night when everyone was gathered to watch the meteor shower, Joey couldn’t hold back anymore and sat down next to Joanne. “Joanne, I like you,” he said softly.

“Whenever I see you, it feels like falling in love for the first time. Would you be my girlfriend?” he asked, his voice shaky with nerves.

Right then, a shooting star flashed across the sky, almost like it was making a wish on Joey’s behalf.

But unfortunately, wishing on a shooting star was just a fairy tale. Joanne gave him an apologetic shake of her head. “Sorry, I’m not thinking about having a boyfriend for now.”

But Joey didn’t let it get him down.

‘She just said not right now! he thought. Who knows, maybe she’ll change her mind someday.

Joey was a a sunny and easygoing young man. Even after being turned down, he stayed cheerful, not bothered

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one bit by the rejection.

Joanne kept rolling with the caravan, heading straight for the Rocky Mountains.

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The temperature swing from day to night were wild, so Joanne dug out her heavy puffer jacket

When the endless snowy peaks finally appeared on the horizon, her fellow travelers called out her name, voices buzzing with excitement.

“Joanne, check it out! We’re almost there!”

Joanne felt her excitement soar to the max.

As soon as Oliver heard Joanne was heading off to ski alone, he rushed out, urging his driver to get them there as fast as possible.

He brought a driver along, constantly checking the weather updates to make sure they wouldn’t run into any trouble.

He couldn’t help but marvel at how the girl who had been terrified of cockroaches was now brave enough to set off on a solo road trip at a moment’s notice.

Sometimes, Oliver felt like he’d been with Joanne for years, yet it was like he was only just beginning to truly know her.

Over the past six months, he’d watched her blossom, once delicate, now more radiant than ever.

Oliver found himself more in love with Joanne than ever before.

Spending half a year abroad, he found the pressure was intense.

His mom wasn’t a fan of Joanne, still holding a grudge over the arranged marriage he’d refused last time. But in the end, there was nothing she could do about it.

Oliver’s grandpa was still annoyed that he’d almost cleaned out his prized collection, but deep down, he just wanted his grandson to get married ASAP, so he wouldn’t have to keep seeing Jame’s smug face.

Just a few days ago, James was showing off his grandkids again, acting like Oliver was never going to have any children!

After three days on the road, Oliver’s car finally pulled up at the base of the mountain.

Since cars couldn’t go any further, Oliver tracked down the owner of the tourist lodge. “Are you talking about a girl travelling alone?” he asked.

“Yeah, she headed up the mountain with some fellow travelers today,” the owner replied.

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Oliver dropped his bags and changed into his gear. Just as he was about to head up, he overheard the owner making a tense phone call, his voice tight with worry.

He kept catching words like “help” coming from the conversation.

Oliver felt a wave of dread wash over him. He asked the owner, “Is something going on? Did something happen?”

“Sir, I’m really sorry, but no one’s allowed up the mountain today. There was just a small avalanche and I’m calling the rescue team right now!” the owner blurted out, panic in his voice.

‘Avalanche!’ Oliver’s mind went blank.

Oliver didn’t catch another word. He just dashed straight toward the snowy peaks, heart thundering in his chest.

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