Chapter 178

Chapter 178

The car rolled to a graceful stop before a grand estate, its façade imposing and majestic. Quick on his feet, the driver stepped out to open our doors.

Kathy, her posture ramrod straight, a testament to her upbringing, led the way in black kitten heels, guiding me through the main entrance. “Ms. Webster, I’ve invited you here today for a favor.“}]

I asked, “What kind of favor?”

“You’ll see soon enough.” Her words piqued my curiosity, though I’ve never been one to pry too deeply.

But as we meandered through the garden, and I glimpsed through the glass of the scene unfolding in the family’s private chapel, I was stunned. Mark was on his knees, his back a canvas of brutal wounds, yet his expression bore no trace of pain or rage, only an unsettling calm, like the still surface of a dormant pond.}

The irate matriarch, standing over him, lashed out again, her voice seething, “Mark, don’t think for a second I can’t deal with you! If you die, I’ll adopt another heir to continue the Larson family!“}

“Then do so,” Mark replied, his tone a mix of deference and disdain, not moving an inch, enduring the pain with clenched teeth.

I felt a sympathetic twinge of pain and was about to step forward when Kathy held me back, leaving me to inquire awkwardly, “Is… is that his… mother?”

But I remembered Mark telling me his mother had passed away!!

“That’s my mother,” Kathy explained with a calm that mirrored Mark’s, her voice soft, “He’s shunned the Larson family’s influence for years, only to tap into it last night to teach Lloyd and his gang a lesson for you.“>

“What?” I was utterly confused.

I hadn’t contacted Mark since being kidnapped the night before. Why?

Kathy continued, “The Larson family has kept a low profile in RiverCity for years, steering clear of the muddy waters of politics and crime. But Mark’s actions last night dragged us back to square one.“>

Her words were cryptic, yet the implication was clear.

Kathy slowly added, “However, it is exactly what my mother wants. She’s never been content with our quiet life, and what happened last night conveniently forces Mark into an arranged marriage.”

“Arranged marriage?” I was stunned.

Due to his gentle and calm demeanor, Mark would make any woman happy as his wife. But I remembered he had someone he loved.

Kathy’s gaze briefly met mine. “Yes, an arranged marriage with another rich family. But he doesn’t want it, as you might have guessed.”

“I see.” I nodded, instinctively defending Mark, “He’s in love. Marriage should be about mutual affection, not convenience.”

For someone who’d held onto love for twenty years, compromise was out of the question.

The softer one person looked, the more determined he became when it was about matters of heart.

“You…” Kathy frowned slightly, “Don’t you know who he’s in love with?”

“No,” I admitted, thinking Kathy was probing for information, “He mentioned there was someone but never revealed who.”

“What if I asked you to convince Mark to accept the arranged marriage to ease into it for his good?” After a moment of hesitation, Kathy spoke again, “Ms. Webster, my mom has no patience. If Mark continues this way, it won’t end well for him.”