Bride To Be Not Me (Janice and Simon)

"What kind of talk is that?" Alaric snapped. "The Swanwick family is well- connected. If Edward really ends up with their daughter, that'd benefit our family."

"Not happening. Edward already has a girlfriend," Robert shot him down immediately.

Alaric scoffed. "It's just a fling. I've heard about her-she's just a seamstress and an ordinary woman from a regular family.

"What's the point of being with someone like that? Are you seriously considering letting a seamstress become the future daughter-in-law of our family? Have you thought about what that would do to our reputation? It'll be embarrassing."

Barbara frowned but held her tongue.

Robert's voice turned cold. "Alaric, tell me haven't I done enough for this family?"

Alaric was stunned. "I never said you haven't. I just meant that Edward—"

Robert interrupted, "If you know I've done more than my share, then what about your family? Your wife, your son, your daughter-they've caused me nothing but trouble over the years, and I've always cleaned up their messes.

"When have you ever done a damn thing for this family? Now that I'm in trouble, you want to turn my son into a pawn to boost the family's status?"

He added, "If that's your plan, you might as well drop dead. Got it?"

"Robert!" Alaric roared. "I'm your older brother!"

"From the moment you decided to use my son to curry favor with those officials, you stopped being my brother."

Robert's temper was notoriously short. If it weren't for his years in politics keeping it in check, he might have been a far more ruthless man.

Seeing that his anger boiling over, the rest of the Moore family shrank back in silence.

He slammed his palm on the table. "When I was in trouble, I didn't come begging to any of you. So, don't you dare tell my son what to do! If you're so capable, climb the social ladder yourselves. I don't care if your son marries into some wealthy family-just keep me out of it."

He continued, "If anyone dares to spout this kind of nonsense to me again, get the hell out of my sight. Criticizing my son? I haven't said a word about Edward's choices, so who the hell do you think you are?"noveldrama

Robert had been on edge for a while now, and he wasn't about to put up with these bloodsucking relatives any longer.

After his tirade, Alaric was red-faced and fuming, but he had no choice but to slink away with the other family members.

Robert had blocked an international trade deal not long ago, and it didn't take long for someone to stab him in the back.

They accused him of abusing his power to protect Edward's business and even slapped him with claims of suppressing ordinary citizens. It seemed like those people were using this incident to bring him down.

But Robert saw right through it. It was all part of a setup-a trap to smoke out traitors.

Whoever framed him was tied to those pushing foreign interests. Once this was over, he'd make sure none of them got away with it.

For now, though, he had no choice but to wait. He had been suspended and placed under investigation.

Robert was afraid he'd be stuck at home until the end of the year, so he hadn't told anyone. But the Swanwick family saw an opportunity to intervene. They spoke up for him, which got him released from the monitored area and allowed him to return home.

If they had done it out of genuine goodwill, Robert would've acknowledged the favor even though he hadn't needed it. After all, they thought he was in trouble and stepped in with good intentions.

But the moment he heard that the Swanwick family's patriarch was trying to set up a dinner between his youngest daughter and Edward, Robert couldn't hold back. That was when Robert realized the Swanwick family was using this to make him feel indebted.

They had been spreading rumors that the Moores and the Swanwicks had a good relationship and that a marriage alliance was on the horizon.

What marriage alliance?

The more Robert thought about it, the angrier he got. "So, they really think I'm done for, huh?"

Everyone in his social circle now assumed he owed the Swanwicks a favor. But what the hell did he owe them?

Barbara tried

d to calm him down.

"Don't get so worked up. Since you've been suspended from work take this time to rest. You're just under investigation, not under Rouse arrest. Why don't you come with me to Greenfield City and spend some time with the children?"

Robert's temper flared, and all his usual composure as an official vanished. He slammed his fist against the table. "If anyone dares use this situation to force my son into some arranged marriage, I'm not putting up with this crap."

Just then, Edward walked in. "Dad."

Robert strode toward his son.

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"Listen to me. Keep your head down and focus on your work. Take your bodyguards with you wherever go, and don't meet with anyone you don't know. If the patriarch of the Swanwick family tries to use his so-called favor to force you to meet his daughter, go find him and punch him in the face. Got it? If you don't, I'll disown you."

Edward and Barbara stared at him in silence.

Robert was beyond furious. He didn't even care about keeping up appearances anymore.

Just then, a maid stepped in. "Mr. and Mrs. Moore, the Swanwick family's young lady is here."