Why? Landon and his family did not deserve it!
Preston persistently begged, âDad, give me some time. I promise Iâll take care of it! Iâve been settling problems for the company over the years. You should trust me!â
âEnough. The decisionâs been made.â Cornelius frowned, visibly irritated. âI admit I have not paid much attention to Landon in the past. Iâll consider this a test for him. As his uncle, you should guide and advise him.â
He rendered Preston speechless. Once Zoe noticed that Cornelius had sided with her family, she took the opportunity and suggested, Grandpa, I have another solution to help us out of the crisis. Have you forgotten about it?â
âWhat solution is that?â
âDidnât you agree to discuss marriage with Uncle Javier?â Zoe blinke feigning innocence.
Penelopeâs heart sank upon hearing that. âZoe! Why bring it up?â
âProposing a marriage? Zoe, stop embarrassing yourself.â Preston snickered. âRemember, your scandal on the horseracing event is still out there for the world to see.
âNo esteemed family would want to take you as a daughter-in-law, not to mention the Beckett Family;
that would make them the enemies of the Taylors.â
Zoe shot daggers at Preston as she seethed. When she was about to retort, Cornelius said sternly, âIndeed. We need to propose a marriage.
Preston was shocked by Corneliusâ odd decision, especially when the Harpers were at the center of the storm.
âIt will be advantageous for us to forge a marriage with the Becketts. I foresee our stock price rebounding, and that will quell the voice of dissent in the company. The Becketts will equally benefit from the marriage because they need a boost of investor confidence after Sophia Kirkmanâs scandal.
âThe Beckett Group and Jesselton Incorporated remain in the honeymoon phase of their partnership. If the arranged marriage is successful, we could benefit from that partnership as well.
âIf that happens, we can shake off the problems from the horseracing event,â Cornelius analyzed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Zoe blushed shyly, secretly elated.
âDad, I had the same idea, but it takes two to tango. We have to get the Becketts to agree to it. Havenât you seen Jasper with Alyssa? He seems dead set on marrying her.
âBesides, Javier will have to rely on Jasper since Justin wants to stay out of the business. Zoe will never get to marry Jasper without Javierâs blessing,â Preston commented.
His remark made sense. Cornelius grew serious and muttered, âRight. This is a problem.â
âJasper Beckett is a love fool. I bet he wouldnât consider dating anyone else unless Alyssa dies.â
Preston clicked his tongue.
As a man, he understood Jasperâs feelings. He spotted the same affection in the way Landon looked at Lauren.
When the Harpers were deep in thought, Zoeâs phone rang. Her chest tightened when she checked the caller ID, and she hurried out of the room to answer the call in a quiet corner.
A few minutes later, Zoe skipped her way back to Corneliusâ room. She sat by his bed and clasped his hands with a sly and excited look. She purred, âGrandpa, donât lose sleep over it. I have a way of making Jasper and Alyssa break up. The Becketts will have no choice but to accept me.â