Chapter 118

Chapter 118:

“If you don’t leave now…” Andrew warned the woman.

Frightened, the woman responded, “Then I’ll head home now.”

With that, she left. Madisyn, still in shock, gazed at Andrew blankly. He cleared his throat and said, “She’s my sister.” Then he added, “It’s true.”

Madisyn’s eyes widened slowly. Reflecting on her earlier jealousy, she suddenly felt embarrassed! “Why did she refer to you as Mr. Klein then?”

“Her identity can’t be known in public,” Andrew explained casually.

“Well…” Madisyn bit her lip, realizing her reaction had been somewhat childish. Noticing her expression, he could tell what was on her mind. He embraced her and said, “I’m glad you got jealous over me.”

Feeling the warmth of his body and the scent of his cologne, Madisyn wanted to argue, but she stopped herself when she noticed his joy. She closed her eyes, savoring the peace of that moment.

After their walk, they headed back, not anticipating the arrival of two unexpected guests. Everyone’s eyes were drawn to the two figures on the sofa. One was a young woman in a striking red dress, radiantly beautiful. The other, an older woman in her forties, was clearly her mother.

Elaine was seated across from them, engaged in conversation but looking distressed. Dane and Waylon were also nearby. The others seemed to be enjoying the spectacle.

Madisyn scowled. She was unfamiliar with the mother and daughter but sensed trouble brewing. Andrew lowered his voice and explained, “They are Tatiana Fernandez and her mother. Tatiana is engaged to Howard. Given their actions today, it seems likely they are here to call off the engagement.”

Marriage alliances were common among wealthy families. But how would Howard feel if the engagement was broken off now?

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Elaine said in a cold voice, “Do you really want to call off the engagement now, Mrs. Fernandez? Your husband once pleaded with us to agree to this marriage.”

Elaine was visibly upset and didn’t mince her words. The Fernandez family didn’t hold the same status in Gemond as the Johns family. At best, the Fernandez family was considered middle class. Tatiana was hardly a match for Howard when they got engaged.

Back then, the Johns family consented to the marriage because Howard’s and Tatiana’s grandfathers were army comrades, and the pair had grown up together.

“Mrs. Johns, you shouldn’t speak like that. Who could have predicted Howard would turn out this way?” Luna Fernandez forced a smile and argued. “My daughter is still young. She can’t be expected to live like a widow, can she?”

The room fell into a heavy silence. A murderous glare took over Dane’s and Waylon’s expressions. The audacity of the Fernandez family was astonishing. How could they be so bold in the Johns family’s home?

Elaine was so infuriated she became lightheaded. Had Luna suggested ending the engagement privately, Elaine might have considered it. But to do so publicly at a banquet, and to disparage Howard in such a manner, showed a blatant disregard for the Johns family.

Elaine responded angrily, “Mrs. Fernandez, have you forgotten that Howard was injured while saving Tatiana? Without him, Tatiana would have lost her life.”

Upon hearing this, Tatiana pursed her lips, a mix of annoyance and embarrassment washing over her. Luna patted Tatiana’s hand to calm her and said to Elaine, “Exactly. That’s why Tatiana stayed with him all these years. But Howard has taken up so much of her youth. He can’t keep doing that, can he?”

“You—”

Howard had risked his own life to save Tatiana, effectively ruining his own prospects. How could the Fernandez family dismiss that so lightly?

Elaine was so furious she struggled to catch her breath. Waylon supported her and faced the mother and daughter, demanding, “Do you even have a conscience?”

Before Waylon could continue, Dane cut in. He stared icily at the mother and daughter and said, “Without Howard’s heroism, she wouldn’t even have her life, let alone her youth. Your family has no shame.”

The bystanders were close to the Johns family, and upon overhearing the exchange, they quickly showed their disdain for the Fernandez family.

“The Fernandez family has no decency. Do they even deserve to be in the top family circle?”

“Exactly. Tatiana clung to Howard because she saw a bright future with him. We all know that. Now that he’s useless to her, she’s getting rid of him.”

What Tatiana had done would ensure that nobody in their right mind would want to marry her.

When Tatiana heard the crowd’s mockery, her face went pale. She felt they were all quick to judge without understanding. If they were in her shoes, with a disfigured and disabled fiancé, they might flee even quicker. She had devoted years to Howard—it was time she sought her own happiness.

Tatiana looked pleadingly at her mother. Luna was somewhat embarrassed, yet resolute. “I understand your discontent. But Tatiana never asked Howard to save her. She’s old enough to enter a marriage now. I can’t let Howard hold her back any longer. Mrs. Johns, you have two daughters; you must understand me.”

“I will never do such a heartless thing,” Elaine retorted with a sneer.

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