Chapter 21
The room was dead silent–so quiet you could practically hear everyone holding their breath
At the head of the table, Grandpa Schuler’s face was dark with anger and Grandma Schuler looked just as grim. Grandpa slammed his cane against the floor, the sharp sound slicing through the tension and snapping everyone’s attention his way
“Ley, Austin, Alden–stant talking. Right now. What on earth is going on?”
With a loud crack, Grandpa hurled his teacup to the floor, Porcelain shattered everywhere, the sound echoing in the heavy silence
The three men instantly dropped to their knees, faces dmined of color. They looked as unsteady as they felt, completely exposed.
“Grandpa, it’s my fault” Lev started, forcing his voice to stay steady. 1 messed up. But I can’t marry Abigail–I just can’t. She lied to us. That’s the only reason we thought we liked her, why we treated her well, why we refused to be matched with Rosa.. But now I see things clearly. I don’t want to be tied down by a loveless engagement, especially not to someone with no integrity. Please, let me go.
Austin was quick to jump in. feel the same. I never
loved Abigail, and I never will. Please, Grandpa, Grandma–call off this engagement” agree Aiden said, his voice firm. There’s no point in a manage without love. If you make me marry someone I don’t care about, I’d rather leave and never come back
Grandma Schuler just looked at them, a cold, disappointed smile tugging at her lips.
“So that’s really how you all feel?”
“Yes,” the three answered together
“You have no idea how much you’ve let me down.” Grandma let out a long, weary sigh and shook her head. “If it weren’t for Phil, when would you have realized that it was Rose who saved you all those years ago? 2
Did any of you ever bother to check the facts? Did you ever truly believe Rosa’s side of the story? You didn’t! If we’d left it to you boys, you’d still be fooled by Abigai
Her words hit like a punch to th
punch to the gut. The three men looked pale and shaken, unable to respond
Because she was night
If their uncle hadn’t handed them the evidence himself, they’d probably still believe Abigail’s lies. They’d hurt Rosa again and again, thanks to Abigail’s manipulation. Now any apology or request for forgiveness just felt empty–after all, they’d been the ones who did those things
Around them, other Schuler family members started whispering.
“Abigail’s tricks were obvious. Those three were the only ones who couldn’t see through her. No matter how many times we tried to warn them, they wouldn’t listen to stublion.”
“Honestly, they’re nothing like Phil. Maybe they’re capable in business, but when it comes to people, they’re clueless.”
“I just hope they’re not still hung up on Rosu–she’s their sunt now! If this gets out, it’ll be a mess for the whole family”
Hearing those words, Lex Austin, and Alden couldn’t help but remember all the things people used to say when Rosa had chased after them with everything she had They’d treated her so badly, and of course, all their friends had sided with them back then, Just thinking about it brought back a wave of shame and regret.
“What kind of heiress throws herself at men like that? Is she really that desperate?
Running after men with zero self–respect–say a few sweel words and she comes crawling back. So shameless.”
For a moment, none of them could even imagine how Rosa had managed to put up with all of it
All three looked wrocked–ashen, unsteady, as if they migha
apart any second
