Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 939

“I’m so sorry we’re late. I hope we haven’t kept you and Mr. Williams waiting long,” Nicholas Lee said with a smile, greeting them.

Douglas Williams returned the pleasantry. “Not at all. We’ve only just arrived ourselves.”

He gestured for the Lee family to sit, and they began ordering dinner. As the dishes were served, the two families chatted amiably, with no one mentioning the true purpose of the evening. It wasn't until they were nearly finished eating that the elder Mr. Williams finally spoke.

“I’ve invited you here tonight mainly to discuss the matter of the engagement between our families,” he began. “The Williams and Lee families agreed many years ago to form an alliance through marriage. Dennis and Nancy are of a similar age, and we, as the elders, were happy to see it happen. However, it seems the children are not fated to be together. Dennis has never had any romantic interest, and it isn’t fair to keep Nancy waiting and waste her youth. So tonight, let’s be frank and call the matter off. This will free Nancy to find her own happiness elsewhere.”

He had been so direct, canceling the engagement right at the outset, that the Lee family was completely blindsided. The smiles on their faces vanished. Cynthia gripped her fork so tightly her knuckles turned white, her youthful features unable to hide her bitter disappointment. Hazel’s expression hardened with displeasure. Nicholas was the most composed of the three.

Douglas Williams added his support. “Indeed, that’s the situation. Proposing this engagement was a rash move on our part. Ultimately, the Williams family is indebted to the Lee family for this. Therefore, we are prepared to offer appropriate compensation, and we hope you won’t hold it against us, Nicholas. Though we may not become in-laws, our families have a friendship that has spanned many years. That won’t change just because we’re canceling this arrangement. In the future, if the Lee family ever needs anything, the Williams family will do everything in our power to help.”

Douglas’s words were diplomatic, but Hazel Wood was not appeased. How could the vague promise of help from a friend compare to the deep bond of marriage? If they weren't family, what was to stop the Williams family from ignoring them in a time of need? They would have no recourse. However, she knew better than to show all her cards. She set down her fork and said in a low, firm voice, “And what if this engagement is the only thing we want?”