Chapter 97

Chapter 97 Give Her Some Grace With Gavin acting as a mediator, Elliot soon realized that he wouldn’t be able to deal with Owen as he wished. More importantly, Gavin had no qualms hiding his disapproval of Elliot’s intent to dissolve his engagement.

“I will see to it myself that Miss Harper receives a proper apology,” Gavin said. “She can have whatever she wants as recompense. Let this matter be put to rest once and for all.”

The old man paused to look at Elliot, and sounded more sincere when he added, “Marriage is no trifling matter, Elliot. You need to think about it carefully.”

“I have thought about it long and hard,” Elliot countered without missing a beat. “And I have made up my mind to cancel the engagement. There is no love between Amanda and I, and I do not want to become like Owen.” He cast a cold glance toward his father when he said the last part.

Owen’s hands balled into fists at that. Just what the hell was this rascal getting at?

It wasn’t unusual among the elite circles of Orelens to have sidepieces here and there. In fact, he ought to be commended for having only one mistress, yet Elliot had been dead set on carrying that grudge for the last decade. Their relationship had gone so bad, there was probably no way to fix it at this point.

“All right, then. If you are sure, then go ahead and cancel the engagement. But give Amanda some grace and allow her some time to adjust. It may be one–sided, but that girl likes you a lot.” Gavin heaved a resigned sigh as he lamented the loss of such an ideal granddaughter–in–law.

Elliot’s expression softened. “You’re right, Grandpa. I will wait for a few days before discussing it with her again.”

“Oh, I believe her birthday is coming up,” Gavin pointed out. “Let her celebrate it without worry, at least, before you revisit the matter.”

Elliot nodded slightly, while Owen sighed to himself in relief.

By the time Amanda’s birthday rolled around, whether Elliot, wanted to marry her or not, he would have no choice but to tie the knot with her.

“But before anything else, Owen needs to hand over the things that my mother left me,” Elliot said sharply as he turned to glare at his father.

He would be damned if he didn’t get anything in return for this compromise.

Gavin narrowed his eyes at his son and slammed his cane against the floor. “Give them to Elliot!”

Owen gave him a look of distress that bordered on pleading.

“Hurry up!” Gavin roared.

14:18 Clicking his tongue, Owen stomped upstairs. He returned a few minutes later, a wooden box in his hands “Everything is in there.”

Elliot opened the box, finding jewelry and other sentimental items. He rummaged through the knickknacks for a while before looking up at Owen. “Where is the letter?”

“What letter?” Owen asked innocently. “Look, everything left of your mother’s is in that box. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Elliot snapped the box shut with a loud, cracking sound. “You once told me that my mother left me a letter. It is not here. Where is it?”

Owen shrugged, still pretending to be clueless. “I guess I lied. How was I supposed to know you would believe Elliot scowled, his eyes turning murderous. Gavin quickly cleared his throat. “Apologize to your son, Owen.” “Why should I?”

Owen cried out, looking absolutely offended, “What kind of parent apologizes to their child?”

“Apologize!” Gavin repeated in a more commanding voice.

Huffing, Owen muttered a single word under his breath. “Sorry.”

“Grandpa won’t always be here to save your ass at the most crucial moments,” Elliot said slowly, his words laced with threat.

“But if anything like this happens again, Owen, even he won’t be able to help you.”

With that, he turned on his heel and left the manor with Kaden.

Owen seethed and pointed at his son’s departing figure. “Did you see that, Dad? That ungrateful bastard doesn’t respect me at all!”

Conner, who had been silent the entire time, finally chose to speak. “You brought this on yourself, Owen. You can’t blame Elliot for your mistakes.”

Conner and Owen were polar opposites.

The former was an even–tempered scholar who was content with a quiet and fulfilling life as a university professor. He wasn’t interested in the power struggles that plagued the families of high society.

The latter, on the other hand, was pompous and loud, constantly in seeing himself in competition with his peers, and determined to gain full control over everything he could. He was also desperate to take away Elliot’s power for himself.

“And who asked for your opinion?” Owen retorted with a glare.

“This mess is indeed all your doing,” Gavin interjected. “If you were half as sensible as Conner, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

Encouraged by the old man’s words, Conner said, “We’re not doing right by Elliot, Dad. What if-”

“There will be no what ifs!” Owen cut him off in a rage.

Conner held his tongue, but he continued to worry about the situation. He knew how obstinate Elliot was. He wasn’t someone any of them could subdue, much less control.