Chapter 420

Carol chimed in with a soft smile, her tone coaxing, “Tessa, didn’t you say you loved these ribs? When you marry into the family, you can have them every day.”

She wore the gentlest, most motherly expression she could manage, her signature charm when she wanted to win someone over.

At first, Tessa felt a flicker of warmth, even moved by the sentiment. But the moment those words landed, she glanced around the table and noticed the way everyone was looking at her. Their eyes weren’t just warm; they were hopeful, as if they were all silently begging her to say yes, to seal the deal and marry into the family. And that made something in her chest tighten.

She hadn’t even answered Julian’s earlier question yet. With a composed expression, Tessa spoke clearly, her tone serious. “I understand that you all want me to marry into the family. But I’ve said it before–this isn’t a decision I can make on my own. I still have to talk to my mother. If I give you a verbal promise here today, and my mother doesn’t agree, then what? Who takes responsibility for that?”

Her words immediately cooled the room. The excitement and eager smiles were gone in an instant. She was right. This wasn’t something she could decide on her own, and like that, all the effort they had poured into pleasing her felt like it might have been for nothing.

Carol grew restless, unsure of what to say next. Albert’s pointed glare made her even more flustered. Julian looked at Tessa, feeling an uncomfortable tightness in his chest. Why did she have to sound so firm about it? They had already crossed every line. They’d spent the entire afternoon together – now she wanted to pause and reassess? He clenched his fork tightly, his eyes darkening as he stared at her.

“Tessa, after everything between us… do we still need to be this careful?” he said slowly.

Tessa wasn’t swayed in the slightest by Julian’s words. She met his gaze with unwavering firmness. “Still, marriage is a matter of parental blessing and formal arrangements. I have every reason to listen to my mother. If any of you have an issue with that, then feel free to speak to her directly.”

With that, she stood up, clearly ready to leave. Before turning away, her eyes landed on the plate of pork ribs. She glanced at Carol with a cool smile, her tone laced with sarcasm. “And by the way, Mrs. Hayes, your ribs are delicious, but don’t think for a second that a plate of ribs will trap me in this family. We can afford ribs just fine at home. You really thought this would be enough to keep me here?”

She gave a cold snort, slung her bag over her shoulder, and strode toward the door without a moment of hesitation. In that instant, her resolve was unmistakable. She’d seen enough of this family to form a clear impression, and if marriage was still on the table, she would need to think long and hard before saying yes.

After she left, Julian and his parents were completely stunned. It was Albert who snapped out of it first. “What are you doing standing there? Go after her!”

“Oh! Right, right,” Julian muttered, scrambling to his feet and running out after her.

Once he was gone, Albert turned sharply toward Carol, frustration spilling over. “Well done. You must be thrilled now!”

Carol looked aggrieved. “How is this my fault? I just thought, since she liked the ribs, I’d say something casual–make her feel more at home. And let’s not forget, you were the one who started pushing for the engagement. I wasn’t in any rush. This was all your idea!”