<b>Chapter 616 </b>
<b>Jareth </b>was panting hard, feeling as if the air around him was growing thin.
At the party<b>, </b>the loyal man stood up for his two best friends, opposing Frederic face to face.
But the price he paid was steep-
He might never be able to marry the woman he loved most.
He could stand against the entire Fairhaven Group, even bet everything he had. But Mari–she was so fragile, <b>so </b>timid.
Even if she were willing, how could he bear to see her shouldering such immense pressure, alone and abandoned?
“Mari,e back. You’re my good girl. Listen to me ande home,” Frederic’s gaze softened as he opened his arms. “You’re too young to understand what love is, blind to the true nature of people, not even realizing when you’re being deceived. But it’s alright, I don’t me you. As long as youe back, you’ll still be my treasured daughter.”
Mari felt as <b>if </b>the blood in her veins had been drained, frozen in ce.
She had already lost her mother, she couldn’t bear to lose her father too.
But she couldn’t stand to lose Jareth even more!
<b>“</b><b>Mari</b>, think of how good daddy has been to you. Would you really want to upset him?” Glynnis chimed in immediately. “You’ve never ventured far from home and don’t know how cruel the world can be, especially men’s lies–not a single word is trustworthy.”
She had been furious with Jareth earlier, and now she seized the opportunity tosh out. “Jareth, you stand there so self<b>–</b>righteously criticizing me, but you’re no better than the rest! Mari, this man who’s been sweet–talking you is Elmsworth’s most notorious yboy. His love life could fill a whole encyclopedia! He’s only after you because you’re the one stamp missing from his collection. When you finally hit the wall and turn back, it’ll be toote. Even your father won’t want you then!”
<b>Mari </b>trembled uncontrobly, tears pooling <b>in </b>her doe–like eyes.
Jareth quickly pulled her into his arms<b>, </b>hisrge hand gently soothing her back. Even though he felt like he was about to explode, he had endless patience for the person he loved most.
<b>“</b>Jareth<b>, </b>I’m sorry”
“Let’s see which heartless, blind fool dares to reject my wonderful granddaughter!” A robust voice came from outside, causing the Abernathy family <b>to </b>pale in fear.
The next second, Thaddeus pushed Hamilton, seated in his wheelchair, through the front door.
Striding beside him, breathtakingly beautiful<b>, </b>was Evadne!
The three of them exuded the presence of an entire <b>army</b>.
Frederic’s heart sank, and Glynnis‘ expression almost cracked!
“Thad, Evadne.” <b>Jareth’s </b>eyes brimmed <b>with </b><b>tears</b>.
Thaddeus looked at <b>him</b><b>, </b>l*ps pressed into <b>a </b><b>thin </b><b>line</b>, and nodded slightly.
That was enough. As friends for <b>twenty </b><b>years</b>, everything was understood without <b>words</b>. They always <b>knew </b>how <b>to </b>support <b>each </b>other in the most crucial moments.
*Jareth, how’s Mari? Evadne, <b>seeing </b>Mari’s pale <b>face</b><b>, </b>put aside everything else, concerned only for her<b>. </b>
“She’s fine with me here, Jareth said<b>, </b><b>his </b>voice hoarse.
Hamilton’s eagle eyes swept over the scene<b>, </b><b>finally </b><b>resting </b>on <b>the </b>young couple<b>, </b>his gaze <b>softening</b>.
“Dad<b>, </b>what brings you here so suddenly? Frederic descended the steps<b>, </b><b>his </b>expression <b>rigid</b>.
<b>“</b>If I hadn’te, who knows how much more my dear granddaughter <b>would </b><b>have </b><b>been </b><b>bullied </b>by you all! <b>And </b><b>who </b>knows <b>what </b>kind of nonsense you would have spouted here<b>!</b><b>” </b>Hamilton red at him<b>, </b>nearly wishing he could stand up and kick him<b>! </b>
Frederic’s <b>n*eck </b>flushed red. “Dad! How can you say that? Mari is my daughter, and everything I do is for her best!”
every
<b>“</b><b>Pah</b>!” Hamilton spat in front of everyone. “<b>In </b>the end, you’re just trying <b>to </b>salvage your lost pride! That’s why you’re pressuring Mari<b>, </b>exploiting <b>the </b>emotions of these two <b>young </b>people, and shamelessly insulting Jareth<b>!</b><b>” </b>
Jareth looked at <b>his </b><b>grandfather </b>with a lump <b>in </b>his throat and tears <b>in </b>his eyes.
“Listen <b>to </b>yourself<b>! </b>I’m disgusted <b>just </b>hearing <b>it</b>. I feel like I <b>need </b><b>to </b><b>go </b><b>to </b><b>the </b><b>hospital </b><b>to </b>have my ears cleaned <b>out </b>after listening
<b><i>2/12</i></b>
<b>Chapter </b>616
<b>to that </b>filth!”
Hamilton scornfully <b>surveyed </b>Frederic. <b>“</b>In my opinion, the one who can’t <b>see </b>clearly <b>and </b><b>doesn’t </b>realize they’ve been deceived is <b>you</b><b>! </b><b>To </b><b>have </b>married that universally despised viper Elspeth<b>, </b>how could you be anything but emotionally inept? Mari <b>is </b><b>a </b><b>thousand </b><b>times </b>stronger than you. Just don’t drag my granddaughter down with you!”