Trever many your younger sister."


    Austin was infuriated. "Aftermessing with Tina, you''re telling me you don''t want her anymore? Don''t you feel ashamed?


    "Tina didin''t threaten you at knifepoint to be friends with her. You''re not turning over a new leat now-you''re just letting two women down!"


    Luke replied, "I never said I wasn''t at fault. The woman I love is my wife."


    Fuming, Austin stayed silent. Although his conversation with Lake wasn''t very loud, bits of their conversation had drifted into their family members'' ears.


    All Time could think about was take saying, "The woman I love is my wife.”


    Those words seemed to be her worst nightmare, repeating in her mind over and over again.


    Luke spun around and walked to the dining table, spealing icly. "No need to discuss the wedding-I''ll never agree to it.


    "As for the project coboration, it''s best if we can continue worlding together. But if you want to cancel the project, 1 don''t mind."


    With that, Luke gazed at Felicia. "Let''s go back. We have other things to discuss."


    Clearly, he wanted to talk about the scandal making waves across Halewick


    Meanwhile, the Sowles were furious. Aside from Tina, who was rooted to the same spot in a daze, and Austin, Luke''s good friend, everyone else wished they could tear Luke apart


    "Luke, did you think you could just pustus Sowles around? Did you think not marrying Tina would fix everything?


    "Only in your dreams! If you don''t marry my younger sister, not only will we call off the project, but we''ll be mortal enemies for life!"


    "If you dare take back your words, we''ll make Vespers and her family disappear from Halewick!"


    "it something happens to my daughter, I''ll fight with you for life! I want the entire Halewick to low how you dumped her! You''re just a womanizer!"


    Henry listened to the usations in silence. He felt his head was about to explode, Meanwhile, Felicia was still


    Lake merely noted. Do as you please."


    stupor.


    Luke didn''t refute the Sowle family by exining that Tina, who had tollowed Austin to discuss the project, had spiked Luke''s wine. She even seduced him and dad everything she could to get him into bed with her


    It was loveless and meaningless sex Luke hadn''t tricked Tina into sleeping with him; nor did he make her fall for him.


    At best, Tina was wild in bed and willing to try anything, and Lub couldn''t resist the temptation. He shamelessly indulged in her advances as they engaged in a disgraceful affair.


    Despite all their threats, the Bowle family realized that Luke still refused to give in For a moment, they were at a loss. If the project were canceled, they would incur a loss as well. Even if they did breakties with the Munozes, nothing good would


    Come out of it.


    Everything came to a standstill agaiin-


    At that moment, Austin''s secretary, Veronica Paulson, entered the house with a solensus expression. She couldn''t care less whether she should even be there. She walked toward Austin and lowered her voice, saying andously, "Tavian Bank has (rugen the second disbursement of funds for our project with Eclipse Group. They said they need to reevaluate the loan."


    Austin scowled. "Whatnd of joke is that? Have you called Mr. Smith''s secretary? What was the reason?" Veronica replied, "did. She exined that the president had personally given the orders. The reason was


    She couldn''t help but look at themotion in the dining room before repeating the reason


    "The public scrutiny for the past few days night affect the project in the future. Since there was a new risk of thepany being unable to pay the loan on time, a re-evaluating was necessary


    Austin''s brows twitched as goosebumps use on the back of his meck


    At the same time, everyone there was in a daze.