Chapter 73

At that moment, Blake finally understood the situation. He looked at the woman beside him. “Are you…?”

Guinevere stepped closer shyly: “Yes, Blake. I am your true fiancée.”

“What makes you think you qualify to be my fiancée!” Blake exclaimed.

Guinevere hesitated, surprised by Blake’s bluntness. “The… you get… get your face done!” Blake pushed on.

“I haven’t had any work done,” Guinevere quickly denied.

Blake scoffed, laughing mockingly. “Do you think I’m stupid? Can you honestly say your face hasn't seen a surgeon's knife? Is the hyaluronic acid shooting straight to your brain? You don’t seem particularly bright. You can’t be my fiancée.”

Guinevere, embarrassed, burst into tears and rushed to her mother Emily’s side. Emily, filled with disappointment, whispered, “I told you to have fewer procedures, but you wouldn’t listen, and now look.”

Everyone was surprised by Blake’s fierce attitude. He turned to Sophia, warning her, “Sophia, let me make this very clear: Isabel is my one and only fiancée.”

“These days, many offer pretty words, but few provide true support. You all know how I got here! Without Isabel’s family, there would be…” Blake paused, his voice firm. “Even if God were to ask, I wouldn’t change my mind. If anyone dares to interfere and makes my beloved and in-laws suffer, I will be the first to object.”

Sophia gasped. Blake’s strong presence made it clear he was genuinely angry. She had expected a calm discussion, but never anticipated his fierce loyalty to Isabel.

“Blake, you’re misunderstanding. We came to clear things up. Both Isabel and Guinevere are my granddaughters; it doesn’t matter who marries you—we are all family! Please, don’t be angry…” Sophia quickly smiled conciliatorily.

“Yes, Blake, that was never our intention! We meant no disrespect. We are all family!” Hugh added.

“Since there is no ill intent, let’s keep the peace. If there’s nothing else, we will take our leave,” Blake said, taking Isabel’s hand and preparing to depart.

Consumed by jealousy, Guinevere watched them, a rage simmering within her as she saw them appear so perfectly matched.

“Samuel, wait! I have something to discuss with you!” Sophia called out. Samuel let Hannah and Isabel leave first, promising to join them.

Sophia held Samuel’s hand affectionately. “Samuel, we are family. I made mistakes, but now, older, I realize how important it is to be together. Please return to the Galvez family!”

Samuel remained unmoved, having lost faith in the Galvez family. Years of frayed ties and his brothers' bitter actions had extinguished any lingering feelings. The only person he couldn't part with was his beloved mother, but he had grown accustomed to being apart.

“Mom, there’s no need. Hannah and I are doing well on our own. We don’t need to return and be a burden,” Samuel firmly refused.

“Samuel, it sounds as if you believe your brothers can’t stand you,” William said, mildly unhappy.

Hugh chuckled, “Samuel, why dwell on past grievances? We are still family. You should come back!”

Samuel’s resolve did not waver. “My mind is made up; there is no need for further discussion.”

Sophia, seeing his stubbornness, relented. “All right then. To make up for my wrongs, I’ve decided to give you control of the company we acquired from the Yates family, along with thirty percent of the shares, as a way to repay Isabel.”

William and Hugh were shocked.

“Mom, what did you say? You plan to give Samuel thirty percent of the shares? What about us?” William exclaimed.

“Exactly, Mom. Thirty percent is a lot. Please, reconsider!” Hugh added.

“Silence!” Sophia scolded them. “Samuel has endured hardship all these years, while you two have lived in luxury. Samuel, I was wrong. I wish for you to take charge of the Galvez family and ease my burdens.”

“When your dad passed away, Samuel, you were only fifteen. It was a big challenge for me as a single mother to support our large family, and I’ve struggled to keep us all going.”

“I hope you can forgive me, as I acted in the interest of the whole Galvez family.” Sophia’s voice shook as she wiped away tears.

Samuel felt a pang of emotion. He remembered their struggles after his father’s death and how Sophia had bravely shouldered the responsibilities. She undoubtedly had it tough.

“Mom, I understand all this. I just want my family to live in peace. It’s your constant disapproval of Hannah and dislike for any children that troubles me. If you can accept them, I will manage the company!” Samuel proposed.

Sophia, moved, replied, “Of course I will accept them! Samuel, if you are willing to come back, I will do anything.”

“From now on, I’ll welcome Hannah to family meals, and she will be treated just like my other daughters-in-law; no one shall disrespect her! I promise you!”

Outside, Isabel and Hannah waited. Hannah voiced her concern, “I wonder what Sophia wants to discuss with your dad.”

“Don’t worry, it will be good,” Isabel reassured her. Now that their wedding plans had fallen through, they were reliant on the Yates family, which meant they would treat Hannah well.

Blake leaned over and quietly told Isabel, “I once thought my family was caught in a power struggle, but yours seems to rival it.”

Isabel looked at him. “What family doesn’t have its problems?” However, she held little regard for the Galvez family, viewing them as relatively unimportant. The Yates family, however, was different. Their influence in Ardenfall and beyond was substantial. Thomas’s wealth and power were immense and should not be underestimated. Even Isabel did not feel entirely confident in opposing them.

“Your dad is coming out!” Hannah exclaimed excitedly, noticing Samuel’s troubled expression. “Samuel, what happened?”

“Mom wants us to move back to the Galvez residence, but I said no.”

“Of course you did! Our house is more than enough, and besides, their intentions are not sincere!” Hannah replied.