chapter233
For Larissa to marry Johan smoothly, she still needed Wesley to mediate.
Wesley frowned, feeling both pity and disappointment toward Larissa.
“Is Johan really the only one for you?”
Clearly, Johan didn’t love Larissa.
A marriage begged for would only bring future suffering.
Larissa’s sobs had quieted down.
Wesley advised her, “There are many suitable matches across Aetherton. If you’re willing, I can arrange introductions. With my protection, no one would dare mistreat you.”
Unlike the Johnson family, which rivaled the Carlton family in influence.
If Larissa faced bullying there, he might not be able to shield her effectively.
Nestled in her mother Tania’s arms, tears streamed down Larissa’s face as she recalled Johan’s behavior toward Cecilia.
The way he tenderly touched her hair, carried her bag…
Once again, Cecilia had stolen the man who belonged to her.
She couldn’t ept it.
Half–raising her face with a helpless, bitter expression, she murmured,
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“I know you’d find me the best match, brother… but I… I just love him…”
She made herself look ashamed and didn’t continue.
Her gaze couldn’t help stealing nces at Wesley’s reaction.
In the past, she’d been one hundred percent certain Wesley would side with her.
But now, that confidence had long vanished.
Resorting to self–harm seemed the only desperate way to stir Wesley’s guilt over past events.
She couldn’t let Cecilia trample all over her.
Outdoing Cecilia had be her obsession.
Wesley remained expressionless, silent throughout.
Larissa’s heart churned with anxiety as she subtly tugged at Tania’s sleeve.
Tania blinked, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Don’t cry, Larissa. Wesley promised to protect you forever–he won’t abandon you. Your tears break my heart.”
“I know. I’m useless. I’ve failed to live up to his trust.”
Wesley invited Johan to dinner.
Johan poured a drink and slid it toward Wesley, his tonezy and teasing.
“You’ve really bent over backward for this marriage arrangement.”
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He seemed utterly indifferent about whether he should marry Larissa.
Wesley stared at him, face unreadable, not touching the ss.
They’d grown up together, thick as thieves.
After Johan’s parents died, Larissa jilted Wesley and fled abroad with him, drifting them apart.
Now, seeing him again, Johan wore the same careless mask–but Wesley could spot the real emotion he hid.
There was still an edge to him.
“Marry Larissa, and I’ll help you reim what’s yours.‘
Wesley cut straight to the deal.
Johan’s smirk didn’t waver as he swirled the transparent liquid in his ss. “Larissa isn’t your old man’s love child, is she?
Nah–if she were, you’d have kicked her out ages ago.”
Wesley’s brow furrowed.
“She ditched you for me, yet you stick by her side–even n her wedding. If you two weren’t around the same age, I’d swear she was your own daughter,”
Johan’s words hung in the air, casual as a joke.
Yet beneath themy a thread of something deadly serious.
Wesley pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m serious about this.”
The marriage alliance mainly depended on Johan’s attitude.
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If he agreed, it would happen regardless of Holden’s displeasure.
But he wasn’t willing.
“Three years ago, she ran away from her wedding for you and went abroad with you. Johan, if you never cared for her, why go that far?”
Everyone thought theirs was true love.
Who could’ve guessed Johan had moved on after three years?
Johan’s eyes grew distant. He’d long stopped wanting to discuss what happened back then.
“I’ll marry Larissa, but I have one condition besides what you mentioned.”
Wesley set down his wine ss, watching him coldly.
Having grown up together, they understood each other well.
Wesley guessed Johan’s condition involved Cecilia.
“Release Cecilia and arrange her marriage to Luciano. Then I’ll agree to marry Larissa.”
That was Johan’s condition.
Wesley’s voice turned icy, his sharp ck eyes glinting.
“Johan.”
He’d guessed Cecilia was involved, but never expected Johan to demand her freedom.
“Stay out of my business with Cecilia.”
He straightened up, his warning unmistakable.
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Johan met his gaze, his casual expression gradually growing serious.
He wasn’t casually making demands, but negotiating with deadly
seriousness.
After a few seconds, he drained his ss and resumed his careless smile.
“Cecilia or Larissa, pick one.”
Ex–wife…
Or childhood sweetheart.
Wesley’s expression remained nk, his tone suddenly turning calm.
“You and Cecilia… you like her?”
Beyond a man’s attraction to a woman, Wesley couldn’t fathom why Johan would help Cecilia.
Yet he wanted Cecilia to marry Luciano.
It didn’t seem like that kind of affection.
Johan poured himself more wine, savoring it with satisfaction.
“Consider it me not standing to see women bullied.”
Wesley stayed silent.
He couldn’t ept such terms.
“Johan, who matters more–her or the Johnson family?”
Johan raised an eyebrow. “Then who matters more–Larissa or her?”
The atmosphere grew tense.
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