Chapter 105

Austin was infuriated. “After messing with Tina, you’re telling me you don’t want her anymore? Don’t you feel ashamed?”

“Tina didn’t threaten you at knifepoint to be friends with her. You’re not turning over a new leaf now—you’re just letting two women down!”

Luke replied, “I never said I wasn’t at fault. The woman I love is my wife.”

Fuming, Austin stayed silent. Although his conversation with Luke wasn’t very loud, bits of their conversation had drifted into their family members’ ears.

All Time could think about was Luke saying, “The woman I love is my wife.” Those words seemed to be her worst nightmare, repeating in her mind over and over again.

Luke spun around and walked to the dining table, speaking icily. “No need to discuss the wedding—I’ll never agree to it.”

“As for the project collaboration, it’s best if we can continue working together. But if you want to cancel the project, I don’t mind.”

With that, Luke gazed at Felicia. “Let’s go back. We have other things to discuss.” Clearly, he wanted to talk about the scandal making waves across Halewick.

Meanwhile, the Sowles were furious. Aside from Tina, who was rooted to the same spot in a daze, and Austin, Luke’s good friend, everyone else wished they could tear Luke apart.

“Luke, did you think you could just push us Sowles around? Did you think not marrying Tina would fix everything?”

“Only in your dreams! If you don’t marry my younger sister, not only will we call off the project, but we’ll be mortal enemies for life!”

“If you dare take back your words, we’ll make Vespers and her family disappear from Halewick!”

“If something happens to my daughter, I’ll fight with you for life! I want the entire Halewick to know how you dumped her! You’re just a womanizer!”

Chapter 16

Henry listened to the accusations in silence. He felt his head was about to explode. Meanwhile, Felicia was still in a stupor.

Luke merely noted, “Do as you please.”

Luke didn’t refute the Sowle family by explaining that Tina, who had followed Austin to discuss the project, had spiked Luke’s wine. She even seduced him and did everything she could to get him into bed with her. It was loveless and meaningless sex. Luke hadn’t tricked Tina into sleeping with him; nor did he make her fall for him. At best, Tina was wild in bed and willing to try anything, and Luke couldn’t resist the temptation. He shamelessly indulged in her advances as they engaged in a disgraceful affair.

Despite all their threats, the Sowle family realized that Luke still refused to give in. For a moment, they were at a loss. If the project were canceled, they would incur a loss as well. Even if they did break ties with the Munozes, nothing good would come of it.

Everything came to a standstill again.

At that moment, Austin’s secretary, Veronica Paulson, entered the house with a solemn expression. She couldn’t care less whether she should even be there. She walked toward Austin and lowered her voice, saying anxiously, “Tavian Bank has frozen the second disbursement of funds for our project with Eclipse Group. They said they need to reevaluate the loan.”

Austin scowled. “What kind of joke is that? Have you called Mr. Smith’s secretary? What was the reason?”

Veronica replied, “I did. She explained that the president had personally given the orders. The reason was…” She couldn’t help but look at the commotion in the dining room before repeating the reason.

“The public scrutiny for the past few days might affect the project in the future. Since there was a new risk of the company being unable to pay the loan on time, a reevaluation was necessary.”

Austin’s brows twitched as goosebumps rose on the back of his neck. At the same time, everyone there was in a daze.