Chapter 512

“That’s why we called him over today,” Gerald finished.

Howard chimed in, “Mr. Lloyd, Mrs. Lloyd, don’t worry. I’ve fancied Ms. Lloyd for a long time. I’ll surely treat her well as my wife. As for the betrothal gifts, feel free to raise your request. We won’t shortchange her at all.”

His mention of betrothal gifts widened the smile on Sasha’s face.

“Just listen to how sincere Mr. Ziegler is! He’s worlds apart from Mr. West’s younger brother with his nose stuck up in the air, as if he’s all that.”

Instead of flaring up at Sasha, Rachel looked at her with narrowed eyes and said with a bright smile that didn’t reach her eyes, “Since you think Mr. Ziegler is so amazing, why don’t you divorce my dad and marry him instead?”

“How audacious! Rachel, how dare you talk to us like that when we raised you so painstakingly?” Gerald berated.

Sasha grabbed Rachel’s hand and said comfortingly, “Rachel, I don’t care what you say about me, but your grandpa’s health has been ailing for the past few years. He really cares about you, so please don’t argue with him. If anything were to happen to your grandpa, would your dad survive the blow?”

Rachel flung Sasha’s hand away mercilessly. She looked pointedly at the latter, a storm brewing in her eyes.

“Do we need to put on such a show between us? You’ve never treated me as part of the family. Why bother saying things like that? You only think of me when you need me for something. What makes you think I’ll agree to it? I’m only a daughter of the Lloyd family when you need me, and when you don’t, I have nothing whatsoever to do with this family.”

These words had been in the depths of Rachel’s heart for the longest time. For her father’s sake, she hadn’t had a nasty falling out with the rest of the family. However, it didn’t mean that she absolved them of all blame.

She wasn’t a fool.

“But it’s a fact that you’re a daughter of the Lloyd family, and you must do as we say,” Gerald said firmly. “I’ve already agreed to your marriage to Mr. Ziegler. The 4th of next month is a good date. You two will get engaged on that day.”

Rachel’s face flushed red with anger. What era were they in now? Was forced marriage still a thing?

She made her stand clear.

“I won’t get engaged to Howard Ziegler.”

Gerald was livid, his voice shaking as he struck his cane on the floor. “You’ll be driving me to my grave if you refuse to agree!”

He was forcing Rachel’s hand with his death.

Rachel bit her lip hard. Gerald was pushing her to the corner, threatening her with his death if she refused to relent. What would everyone in Yurelia City say of her if word about this were to spread? How was she going to explain things to Jim? Even if she managed to overcome this ordeal, she knew herself well enough to know that she would live in guilt and pain for the rest of her life. Her career and her entire future would be buried along with her grandfather. How vicious of him!

Howard sat right there, sipping leisurely on his tea with no intention of getting embroiled in the bitter strife between the Lloyds. He was here just to take advantage of the situation. With Gerald in the picture, Rachel was bound to heel.

Just then, the sound of footsteps approached them, followed by a deep voice of a man.

“Mr. Lloyd, shouldn’t you give me a heads up if you’re trying to give my girlfriend’s hand in marriage to a Ziegler?”