Chapter 4
Jeffrey stepped in to shield Rosalie and gave me a stern look. "Is this how the Larson family cultivate their heiress?"
Jeffrey had come to console me after the incident at the birthday party.
However, Rosalie's deliberate actions caused new trouble between us. I chose to disengage from the conversation. In order not to waste time with them, I pushed Jeffrey aside and locked eyes with Rosalie. "Hand over the brooch!"
A flicker of guilt crossed Rosalie's face, but with Jeffrey by her side, she regained her confidence. "Jeffrey bought it for me. Hannah, you're being petty. You have plenty of nice things. Why do you want to take mine?"
"Oh, really? Where was it purchased? What brand is it? Can you provide details? Someone, restrain her and retrieve the brooch!" I commanded the bodyguards to act, but Jeffrey immediately shielded Rosalie.
"Who dares to do so! I'm Jeffrey Zachary from the Zachary family! Hurting me would insult the Zachary family! Hannah, let me tell you. I bought her the brooch. You're causing a scene in public. Do you think I won't involve the police?"
After hearing his words and seeing Rosalie hiding behind him, I flew into a rage.
Jeffrey had seen that brooch before. Even if he had forgotten, with Jeffrey's refined taste, it was impossible for him not to tell that its workmanship could not be bought in ordinary stores. Yet, he chose to support Rosalie despite this knowledge.
With a smile, I said, "Fine. Call the police." Let them investigate thoroughly. Who is the real wrongdoer, me or a thief within the Larson family?"
Jeffrey was stunned to see my ruthlessness. Jeffrey glanced at Rosalie, recalling the purpose of his visit. "Hannah, I may have overstepped before, and I understand your anger, but aren't we still planning to get married..."
Before Jeffrey could finish, Rosalie removed the brooch with trembling hands. "The gifts Jeffrey gave me are precious, but I don't want to infuriate Hannah because of it. Hannah, take it if you like it. I will give you whatever you want."
Jeffrey's expression softened, but he snatched the brooch when he heard this. "You can't give it to her. You can't let her get what she wants every time!"
Suddenly, the brooch hit the ground and broke.
Unable to bear it anymore, I grabbed Jeffrey's neck and asked sternly. "Do you know what you just broke?"
Jeffrey was a little out of breath and shouted for help from the people around us. The guests were shocked and criticized me.
"What's going on? The rich don't even bother to conceal their evil secrets anymore?"
"Help him. Don't let her kill him!"
With the assistance of the onlookers, Rosalie seized the chance to push me into a corner. "Hannah, I can handle your animosity, but how could you treat Jeffrey this way?" Rosalie asked, looking to Jeffrey for support.
"I never anticipated this side of Ms. Hannah in private."
"Looks like Ms. Rosalie is a good person. Although she doesn't show her face often, she seems upright."
"Has Ms. Hannah's love gone bitter after failing to win Jeffrey's heart after pursuing him for so many years? She's resentful."
"Tsk tsk, she can only keep the man she likes in this way. Even I find her pitiful!"
As the crowd's criticisms grew louder, I remained fixated on the shattered brooch. Gathering my strength, I attempted to retrieve it, but Rosalie stepped on my hand. "Oh, I'm sorry, Hannah."
I clenched my fists, but a male voice suddenly interrupted, "What are you doing?"
Looking at the person, I suddenly smiled. He came—It meant he chose me, too.
Chapter 5
The party commenced, and the guests took their seats. They offered their blessings to Grandpa, who responded politely with small talk.
As I gazed at Matthew seated across from me, Jeffrey interrupted me.
Dismissing his cousin, who seldom visited, he murmured to me, "I can make it up to you for what happened earlier, but you must announce today that Rosalie will join Larson Group. Otherwise, our engagement won't proceed smoothly."
I said nothing and just watched some of the people around me compliment Jeffrey.
Suddenly, Grandpa said solemnly, "My granddaughter isn't little anymore. It's time for her to get married." Grandpa looked at Hector as he spoke.
Jeffrey casually fixed his hair in response.
"Since Hannah and Matthew are in love with each other, I decide to arrange the engagement for them. I'll transfer the shares at the same time. Larson Group will be handed over to Hannah from now on." After Grandpa finished speaking, the guests applauded enthusiastically. Everyone suddenly came to their senses after a long while.
'No. Isn't it supposed to be Jeffrey?'
Jeffrey appeared momentarily shocked. Upon realizing Matthew was being mentioned, he lifted his head and inquired, "Mr. Larson Sr., is there a misunderstanding?"
Hector glanced at him sternly. "Nonsense! Marriage is no joke."
Grandpa clarified that the one to wed into the Larson family was Matthew.
A hush fell over the room—no one dared to speak.
To lighten the mood, I stood up and expressed gratitude to Hector. "I've always wished for the union of our families. Thank you for your blessing, Mr. Zachary Sr."
Hector regarded me warmly, visibly pleased.
To everyone's surprise, Jeffrey suddenly exclaimed, "This can't be! Matthew? How is that possible? There must be a mix-up!"
He sprang to his feet, hurried over to Hector, and incredulously questioned, "Grandpa, this can't be right. You must have made a mistake, didn't you say I was going to marry Hannah?"
Hector sadly shook his head. "Forcing a union won't lead to happiness. Hannah has chosen Matthew."
Hearing this, Jeffrey immediately turned back to me, hopeful. "Hannah, you must have misunderstood, right? You chose me that day. Our grandfathers must have misheard, right?"
I could not help but chuckle and replied coldly, "No, I have always chosen Matthew. Jeffrey, why did you assume I would pick you?"
Jeffrey's expression turned to shock as he processed my response. He gazed at me in disbelief, taking a step back and accidentally bumping into a table. Suddenly, as if awakening from a trance, he exclaimed, "Ridiculous! You love me. It's well-known that you have feelings for me. How could you choose him—a bastard whose mother was disowned by the family!"
Hector's demeanor swiftly shifted upon hearing this. Feeling remorseful towards his youngest daughter over the years, he wouldn't tolerate Jeffrey's disrespectful words. He promptly scolded the butler next to him. "What are you waiting for? Take Jeffrey home at once!"
The Zachary family members regained their composure and had the bodyguards to pull Jeffrey out.
Realizing the situation was escalating, Jeffrey cried out, "Grandpa, this can't be right! Hannah and I have loved each other for a long time and secretly agreed to be together! Grandpa, are you going to stand by and watch Hannah marry someone else against her wishes?" Jeffrey pleaded desperately, as if grasping at straws.
All the guests turned their heads, and Matthew furrowed his brow upon hearing Jeffrey's outburst.
I stepped forward graciously. "Mr. Zachary Sr., I'm not sure why Jeffrey made that claim. I have always regarded him as a brother. I have never crossed any boundaries or harbored romantic feelings. The individual who reciprocates Jeffrey's love may be my cousin, Rosalie."