Chapter 421

Carol couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

Honestly, not rushing into marriage might be for the best.

As far as she could tell, Tessa was no pushover–definitely not an easy one to manage.

If she really did marry in, who knew how much drama she’d bring into this house?

Carol was getting older. She didn’t have the patience or the energy for that kind of chaos.

But the moment Albert heard her say that, his temper flared.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Is he my son alone now?"

Carol widened her eyes. “Don’t twist my words. That’s not what I said, you’re the one who keeps putting words in my mouth.”

Albert was practically pacing by now, his frustration boiling over. “You think I pushed this marriage for fun? I’m doing this for our family!"

“Do you have any idea how bad things are with the company right now? At this rate, when the business folds, who’s going to play host with your friends? Who’ll play poker with your social circle, huh? You’re living in comfort and don’t even realize it.”

With a cold snort, Albert turned on his heel and stormed out.

There was no reasoning with her. The more he talked to that woman, the more nonsense came out, and none of it ever got through.

Albert saw it clearly now: Tessa didn’t want to get married. Not anytime soon.

So, what was she waiting for?

His son wasn’t lacking in any way. What more did she want?

If that woman did marry into the Hayes family, he was going to make sure she learned her place.

Someone like Tessa needed to be put in check and be reminded of who held the real power in this house.

And all of this? Tessa had no idea.

She didn’t know that before she even stepped through the door as a Hayes, they were already plotting how to keep her in line.

She hadn’t even married in yet, and they were already planning her lessons.

Something like this would be shocking no matter where it happened.

By the time Julian caught up with Tessa, she was already in the car, ready to drive off.

Seeing that, he rushed forward and threw his arms wide, blocking the car with his body.

Tessa narrowed her eyes and lowered the window, the engine still running. “What are you doing? Trying to get yourself killed?”

Julian flinched under her sharp glare. Just that afternoon, they’d been wrapped up in each other–and now she looked at him like he was a stranger.

Chapter 422

He swallowed hard, stepping closer, his tone softening. “Tessa, don’t say that. If I have to die, I’d want it to be in your arms.”

“Spare me the drama. Speak like a normal person.”

Julian clenched his jaw at her cutting tone, frustration bubbling under the surface, but he forced himself to stay composed.

“Tessa, we’re already engaged. We’ve been through so much. Isn’t it time we started talking seriously about marriage?

“I just want to build a home with you. I want a life together–not this constant fear of losing you.”

Tessa hesitated, her grip on the wheel loosening slightly. His earnest expression chipped away at her suspicion. She’d been so sure the Hayes family was only rushing the engagement for Walton Corporation, using her as leverage.

But now, seeing the sincerity in Julian’s eyes, she started to doubt herself.

Maybe she’d been wrong and her assumptions didn’t match reality.

“Are you… really telling the truth?”

Tessa wanted to believe him.

They’d had their share of fights, but after everything they’d been through, she couldn’t deny there were real feelings between them.

Chapter 423