"Sophia, how's the engagement going? Are you happy with the venue?" Arthur's cheerful, kindly voice came through the phone.

"I'm calling to tell you the engagement is off. Jonathan's secretary blocked me from entering the venue and even had security rough me up. When he came out, he didn't bother asking what happened. He just demanded I get on my knees and apologize to Linda. The Ford family doesn't seem to welcome me, so I'll stay away from it, thanks."

Arthur was silent for a heartbeat. Then, he roared, "What? That brat is always causing trouble for me! I'm on my way. I'll deal with him myself!"

That was followed by the sound of a car engine starting.

"Don't listen to that wretch, Mr. Arthur! She's got you completely fooled!" Linda suddenly snatched the phone from me, pouting and putting on a pitiful act.

She continued, "I was at the entrance to give Ms. Rook a proper welcome, but she refused to come in and started causing a scene. After everything I've done for Ford Group all these years, don't I even deserve a simple apology?"

Arthur's voice turned icy. "Linda Jones, is it? You're fired. Go to HR and complete the exit procedures."

Linda froze. Arthur continued, "This is my son's marriage. How is it any of your business? Did you really think your lies would work on me?"

Linda's face twitched, clearly shocked that Arthur had taken my side so decisively. Her grip on the phone tightened, and her knuckles went white. She forced out a few tears and looked pleadingly at Jonathan.

She asked pitifully, "Mr. Arthur, if you don't care about your son, can't I do it? You're forcing him to marry some orphaned, penniless woman just to win over one professor. Are you treating Mr. Jonathan as a bargaining chip for a marriage alliance?"

There was another long silence on the other end of the line. Finally, Arthur let out a weary sigh, suddenly sounding much older. "Jonathan, is that what you think, too? Do you think I made a mistake? Is that why you've done all this? Because you don't want to marry Sophia?"

Jonathan glanced at me, then looked away. "As long as Sophia is willing to sincerely apologize to my secretary, I'm still happy to proceed with the engagement."

Linda's manicured nail scraped across my phone case with a shrill screech. I looked over and saw her face contort in anger.

"Well… Sophia, what do you think?" Arthur sounded almost hopeful.

Hopeful for what? That I would apologize to Linda?

I'd negotiated the patent deal with Arthur personally. I used to think he was fair. I'd trusted the way he raised his children, so when Steven told me my arranged fiance was Jonathan, I had come to the engagement party with genuine anticipation.

But in the end, a businessman would always be shrewd and sly. Even knowing the truth, Arthur was still willing to make me swallow this humiliation if it got him what he wanted.

I was curious. Did he think I was desperate to marry Jonathan?

I suddenly found the whole thing hilarious.

I reached up and lightly poked Elliott in the waist. He flinched. He had been seething at everything the Fords had said and was ready to fire off a sarcastic remark, but my touch stopped him.

He instantly softened and lowered his head toward me with his lips pressed tight. He tilted his ear like he was all mine.

I spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "Elliott, I've decided to switch grooms. Care to nominate yourself?"