However⦠Were she and Lyndon in love with each other?
Tilda stole a glance at the man across from her, his every movement radiating elegance.
Her gaze dropped back down.
Was this their path â marriage before love?
By 2 PM, after Sheldon woke from his nap, they set off for Betton.
The plane touched down two hours later, twilight descending as they emerged.
A driver sent by the Fernandez family, a picture of courtesy, awaited them.
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Library
âMr.
Fernandez, Mrs.
Fernandez,â he greeted respectfully.
âI was asked to drive you straight to the Fernandezesâ house for dinner.
â
âWie appreciate it,â Lyndon replied.
His mother had already informed him about the New Yearâs Eve celebration at the Fernandezesâ house, a gathering for the extended Fernandez clan.
Lyndon ushered Tilda and the others into the car, and they set off for the Fernandezesâ house, bathed in the soft glow of twilight.
Nestled halfway up a sparsely populated mountain, the Fernandezesâ house sprawled across hundreds of acres.
Security was tight, with measures in place at the entrance and a watchful presence throughout the grounds.
Like many wealthy families, the Fernandez legacy manifested in this grand, old house, its architecture reminiscent of a bygone era.
The air hummed with a sense of solemnity and dignity.
Axton Fernandez had three sons and one daughter.
Now he was sitting in the hall with his wife, encircled by their children and grandchildren.
Light conversation flowed as they awaited Lyndon and the others before commencing dinner.
As pleasantries were exchanged, Axton noticed Scarletâs sullen demeanor.
âCade,â he addressed his son.
âI hear the Happers mentioned Bowen wanting to break off the engagement with Scarlet.
Whatâs going on here?â
Cadeâs gaze hardened as he turned to Scarlet.
âTell your grandfather what you did to upset Bowen.
â
Scarlet bit her lip, a hint of tears welling up in her reddened eyes.
Memories of Bowenâs humiliation surfaced.
âIf Bowen wants to break it off, so be it! Grandpa, you have no idea how disrespectful he is towards our family.
He wanted me to please another man at a business meeting he attended!â
Axton frowned, his attention shifting to Cade.
âIs that true?â
âAbsolutely not!â Cade boomed, his voice laced with anger.
He glared at his daughter.
âWhat are you implying, Scarlet? Didnât I find you a good match? Bowen thinks highly of you, and thatâs why he included you in a business meeting.
How can you twist that into âpleasing another manâ.
â