Chapter 204: Listen To Me
Ivan and Shreya were too preoccupied searching for their daughter that they didn't have time to watch the live wedding ceremony broadcast. They had visited the Levinson and Quixall residences and even made their way to the Doyle residence. In the end, a kind soul informed them that Raquel had already returned to the wedding venue. Only then did they breathe a sigh of relief and hurriedly made their way back.
After a series of twists and turns, the two finally arrived at the hotel entrance. Shreya relaxed. “Raquel has returned safely. It’s truly a blessing from heaven.”
Ivan grumbled, “I really don’t know what’s keeping her. How could she dare to be late for such an important occasion? She’s really pushing it!”
As they continued talking, both of them suddenly felt that something was off. Shreya asked, “Ivan, don’t you think it’s quite noisy inside?”
Ivan fell silent, a sense of foreboding settling in his heart. After a moment, he suggested, “Let’s go in and see. They might be celebrating the wedding.” In truth, he thought he faintly heard words like “jerk” and “b*tch,” but he hoped that was just his ears playing tricks on him.
The two of them entered the hotel and were immediately taken aback as soon as they stepped through the door. The screen displayed a photo of a passionate kiss between Raquel and Joseph, so intense that it was hard for anyone to look at directly. What was even more astonishing to the two was the sight of Joseph, emerging from the crowd, down on one knee, proposing to Raquel.
Ivan felt as if all the blood in his body had frozen. Meanwhile, a surge of heat coursed through his veins, making the very act of breathing feel stifled. “Raquel!” Ivan roared in fury. Following that, he lunged forward in a single stride and began to lash out at Raquel.
Fearfully, Raquel took a step back. “Dad, let me explain. Things aren’t as you believe them to be. All of this is—”
“Shut up!” Ivan stared intently into her eyes. “Just look at the big screen! If you hadn’t done anything, no one would’ve gotten their hands on this dirt! Reflect on yourself instead of shifting the blame onto others when issues arise!”
Tears welled up in Raquel’s eyes. “Dad, how could you side with a stranger over me? If you don’t even trust your own daughter, then who can you trust?”
Ivan scoffed coldly, “Trust? I’d rather trust someone worth my faith! You’ve repeatedly caused trouble for me out there. Do you really think you still hold any credibility in my eyes?”
Raquel was at a loss for words, unable to muster any form of rebuttal. Shreya had always adored her daughter, but at that critical juncture, she found herself unable to plead on her daughter’s behalf. After all, what Raquel did was truly beyond the pale.
The situation in the Levinson family was not particularly good to begin with, and they had been counting on that marriage alliance to get by. Initially, Raquel was quite fond of Jesse. However, later her feelings changed, and she fell in love with someone else. In other words, no rational man would want to marry such a fickle woman in the future, as they would think staying with her would bring bad luck.
After that day, Raquel’s reputation in the elite circle was essentially ruined. No one wished to associate with her, and naturally, no one would genuinely fall in love with her again. Well, except for one person at that moment.
Seeing Raquel crying so pitifully, Joseph couldn’t help but speak up. “Mr. Levinson, Mrs. Levinson, I truly do love Raquel. Besides, things have already escalated to this point. Wouldn’t it be better to give us your blessing?” Then, he knelt and bowed without hesitation.
Ivan, mindful of the relationship between the two families, refrained from resorting to violence. However, he had developed a knot in his heart. “Perhaps you should consider choosing another partner. My daughter wouldn’t dare presume to be a match for you.”