When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 293

Henrietta tried one last time, pushing against his chest. "Hey, um, how about we just talk for a bit?"

Yosef let out a low chuckle. "Henrietta. We can do it first, then talk. Or, we can do it while we talk."

Henrietta was at a loss for words.

Just as they were wrapped up in each other, Henrietta's phone suddenly rang. For the first time, the sound felt like a salvation. "I have to get that," she said quickly.

As she reached for her phone, Yosef continued his teasing caresses.

"It's my mom," Henrietta said, and he finally stopped. She felt the urge to cover her face. So much for the cool, aloof tycoon.

Henrietta answered the call. "Henrietta, darling, did I interrupt anything?" Sabrina Needham asked.

Blushing, Henrietta quickly replied, "No, not at all. What's up, Mom? Is everything okay?"

"It's more than okay!" Sabrina exclaimed. "We've found a match for Quinton's engagement!"

Henrietta was surprised, then intrigued. "That... was fast."

"It was!" Sabrina laughed. "They decided after just one dinner. I think Quinton is getting anxious to settle down and have a family—a wife, kids, a warm hearth. He's twenty-seven, it's a good age. Once he's married and has children, I'll finally get to hold my grandchildren!"

Sabrina was clearly overjoyed.

Henrietta was happy for her brother too. She smiled. "That's wonderful. It'll give you something to do."

"Exactly! And you and Yosef need to hurry up, too. It's just as easy to look after two babies as it is one. Or imagine, me and Zelina Gilmore, taking all our grandchildren out to play together. Wouldn't that be lovely?"

Henrietta didn't comment on that, simply offering a dutiful, "Okay, Mom."

"Anyway," Sabrina continued, "I'm calling to ask if you and Yosef are free this weekend. We're all getting together for dinner. Quinton and the young lady are going to set a wedding date."

Henrietta raised her eyebrows slowly. "They're already setting a date? Aren't they going to date for a while?"

"Quinton's in a rush," Sabrina explained. "And the girl's family... they're not from a particularly wealthy background. They own a small clothing company, so they’re comfortable enough, but they’re nobodies in our circles. She’s climbing the social ladder. So if Quinton's in a hurry, her family is naturally ecstatic to have her marry into our family as soon as possible. There's no need for a courtship."

This was where the power of a family's name came into play. For dynasties like the Sargents, the Lelands, and the Nashes, even an arranged marriage would involve a period of courtship, giving both parties an out. But for smaller, less influential families, there were no such options. Quinton Sargent had chosen this girl, making him the absolute authority in the matter. If he wanted to skip the dating and go straight to marriage, the girl's family wouldn't dare object. In fact, her parents were probably counting on a swift union to elevate their own status.

"Were there no other options from more suitable families?" Henrietta asked.

"There were a few, but not many," Sabrina admitted. "And Quinton wasn't interested. He said this girl, at least, is obedient."

Yosef kissed her again. "Good. You're not allowed to have any other thoughts."

Henrietta was getting annoyed. "Mr. Nash... are you, by any chance, jealous?"

Yosef paused, as if the word itself was a foreign concept. He seemed to ponder it for a moment before saying, "Henrietta, you are my wife. You are not allowed, nor should you, have any thoughts about another man getting married."

"I don't have any thoughts! You're the one who asked me!"

"Mm, good," he said, and went back to kissing her, leaving Henrietta feeling completely bewildered. She couldn't quite put her finger on why it was so strange, but his kisses soon drove all other thoughts from her mind.

***

The next day, when Henrietta arrived at her office, she found Jolie waiting for her. The moment Jolie saw her, she lunged forward like a madwoman, grabbing for her and crying, "Ms. Sargent! Ms. Sargent, you have to save me! You have to!"

Henrietta stepped back, avoiding her touch, and frowned. "What's wrong with you?"

Winona stepped between them, pulling Jolie back. "Calm down and tell us what happened."

After Jolie tearfully explained, Henrietta was shocked. Jolie had been kidnapped the night before. They had taken compromising photos of her, then let her go with a demand: pay up if she ever wanted the photos back.