Chapter 21

Catherine was manifestly unhappy. "Diane," she said, "are you sure you want to be with him? How is someone like him worthy of you?"

"There's no point trying to persuade me, Grandma," Diane replied steadfastly. "I've already made my decision."

William finally spoke, his tone lamenting Diane's lack of desire for a better match. "Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

Catherine's lips trembled. She gritted her teeth. "I see. Since you've made up your mind, I won't bother. I might have accepted him if he were at least the son of an ordinary businessman, but I utterly refuse to accept a man like him! Worse still, he's an ex-convict!"

Turning to Trevor, she said, "Mr. Trevor, Diane is still a Shanahan. The least your people can do is refrain from hurting her. That man, however, is an outsider. Whether he lives or dies is none of our business. Since he hurt your son, you're free to deal with him as you wish."

"Grandma" Diane's anxiety grew. She hadn't expected the Shanahans to abandon Severin. She'd hoped her family would persuade the Loughs to let her and Severin leave safely, but their attitude was deeply disappointing.

George, the current head of the Shanahans, smirked, reveling in the schadenfreude.

His son, Stanley, crossed his arms and sneered. "Oh, Diane… 'bimbo' might be the most apt description for you!"

Diane glared at Stanley, her rage boiling. Since her expulsion from the Shanahans, Stanley—always eyeing their property—had seized control of the company and blocked her from employment opportunities. This had forced her into food delivery work, a stark contrast to the life she could have had if Stanley hadn't interfered.

Severin sighed, witnessing the ruthless treatment of Diane. She had suffered far more than he'd imagined; even her parents blamed her.

He approached Diane and smiled. "Don't worry. I caused this trouble, so I'll solve it. I can't burden a woman."

Megan scoffed. "Tch, still acting tough? You think too highly of yourself."

Stanley interjected. "If you were capable, you wouldn't have been imprisoned. Do you think you can magically overcome these bodyguards?"

Severin stared sharply at Stanley. "I don't have to take the Loughs seriously."

Trevor, ecstatic, laughed. "Haha! I'd like to see how long that stubbornness lasts." Dealing with Severin was easy; the Shanahans' lack of intervention made it a cakewalk. His initial fear had turned to delight.

Suddenly, someone shouted, "What's happening here?"

The passage concerning the website has been removed as it is irrelevant to the story and appears to be promotional material.