Chapter 429 That Night of Banana Leaves and Night Rain, He Never Waited for Her 2
She approached the study.
The door was wide open, and the sound of something shattering came from inside, followed by Matthew's furious roar: "Study abroad or get married... pick one right now!"
Nicholas said something in response.
Matthew's voice grew even more enraged: "You think this is something to be proud of? You've disgraced the Moore family for generations! We hired so many esteemed teachers to guide you... And this is what you learned? Tell me, when did this start? When did this happen?"
"Always, always has been!"
Blood trickled slowly down Nicholas's forehead.
But his expression was fearless, and he even defiantly said, "I've always loved her! I've never stopped!"
"You dare say that!"
"You bastard, you dare say that!"
Matthew threw another cup.
Sarah stepped in front of Nicholas, her back to Matthew. The cup hit her shoulder, leaving a bruise. Her face met Nicholas's, and his expression was incredibly complex.
Sarah spoke softly, "Apologize to Grandpa and say you won't do it again."
Nicholas looked at her.
His gaze was no longer gentle; it was filled with the fervor of his age. He also spoke softly, "I won't go against my heart!"
Behind him, Matthew's eyes were cold. He sneered, "So you plan to stick with this! You want to bring chaos to this family! Fine, I'll make it happen!"
Sarah suddenly turned and called out, "Dad!"
Matthew was resolute.
In his position, he was used to making decisive moves in critical moments.
He looked at Nicholas's young, clean face and made a decision in an instant: "Starting tomorrow, your mother will take you to meet potential brides. There are plenty of young women... you'll like one or two of them."
Nicholas looked at Sarah.
Matthew's sneer deepened: "I'll send Sarah abroad. As for when she'll return, that depends on when you decide to settle down and start a family."
Nicholas nearly lost his mind: "She did nothing wrong! Nothing! Why are you treating her like this?"
Matthew's face was emotionless: "You think you're the only one who makes mistakes and others don't suffer? Not only will Sarah go abroad, but your mother will worry about you day and night for years, and your father will tread carefully... Nicholas, you were born with every advantage, and you have no idea how hard it is for others."
Nicholas's clean face was drained of color.
He murmured, "What if I refuse to meet these women?"
Matthew's voice was firm: "Then Sarah will never return to Evergreen City."
As he finished speaking, Isabella's anguished cry came from the doorway: "Dad! You've gone mad! You're pushing Nicholas and Sarah to a dead end!"
Since she married into the family, Matthew had always treated her with respect and never spoken harshly.
But this time, he didn't relent.
He pointed at Nicholas: "Ask your precious son what shocking things he's said!"
Isabella already knew.
She walked over, holding Nicholas's arms, and choked out, "Nicholas, I beg you, for the sake of this family and for Sarah, listen to your grandfather... please?"
Isabella was a woman,
She knew how hard it was for Sarah.
Nicholas had put her in an impossible position in this family. If she couldn't even stay in Evergreen City, what would happen to Sarah?
Nicholas could still marry and have children in the future, but what about Sarah?
But despite Isabella's tearful pleas, Nicholas showed no signs of softening. He refused to accept Matthew's arrangement to meet and marry a stranger.
Matthew sneered: "You won't stop until you get what you want! You don't care about anyone else in this family."
He called for someone to lock Nicholas up.
Isabella's pleas were useless.
The morning dew had fallen.
Sarah stood there, numb. She knew she had no place here anymore.
Matthew might love her, but Nicholas was the Moore family's grandson. Matthew wouldn't let anything happen to him, wouldn't let his life bear any stain, even if she had done nothing wrong, even if she hadn't known until today.
In the vast study,
Matthew sighed softly, and Isabella pleaded tearfully.
Sarah spoke calmly, "Dad, I'll leave the country within three days."
Matthew was taken aback.
Isabella was also stunned, but she quickly recovered. She grabbed Sarah's arm and whispered, "It doesn't have to be this serious! I'll plead with Dad again, okay?"
Sarah shook her head slowly.
Matthew stood with his back to them, facing a shelf of books.
Sarah approached him from behind. She was still slender and serene. She spoke to Matthew, "I don't know when I'll return. Dad... take care."
When she arrived, she was anxious.
When she left, her heart was clear. This was what Matthew needed her to do, what she had to do. This choice was best for everyone.
Nicholas wouldn't have to meet anyone,
Matthew wouldn't have to worry constantly,
All it required was for her to stay abroad and never return.
Sarah was calm, but as she left the study, her shoulder throbbed with pain. She had to lean against the doorframe to avoid falling.
As she stepped out, she knew it would be years before she returned.
In the study, Matthew remained with his back turned.
His eyes were red.
He had just done something cruel, sending his own daughter away. He knew she was wronged, but he was also wronged. If he weren't ruthless, Nicholas's life would be ruined.
"Dad!"
Isabella cried, her voice choked, "Sending Nicholas abroad would be enough! Why go to such lengths? Sarah has to take Jacob with her... she just reunited with him. How do you think she feels? Are you planning to abandon your daughter?"
"I'm doing this for the family!"
Matthew looked up, holding back tears, "You don't understand! All you do is dote on Nicholas and Sarah... If Sarah doesn't leave, will he meet anyone? I'm telling you, he'd stay single forever to preserve his so-called pure love."
Isabella's sobs grew louder, "So you sacrifice Sarah?"
Matthew slowly turned, "Then tell me, what should I do? Watch the Moore family's legacy end, or see Nicholas condemned by everyone? ... Don't tell Vaughn about this. You know the stakes."
Isabella had always been understanding.
For the first time, she defied Matthew, her voice trembling, "Dad! Now I find you truly terrifying."
Matthew didn't care.
His mission was to protect the Moore family, to protect Nicholas.
As for Sarah, he was destined to wrong her.
Everything happened too quickly.
Sarah had no choice. She was willing, but she knew if she didn't leave, Matthew would force her to.
That would be even more humiliating.
But she hadn't forgotten her promise to Oliver.
Years later, she would wonder if she would have reconsidered their relationship if there hadn't been an accident that year. Maybe they would have had a fresh start.
But life doesn't have ifs.
She had to leave Evergreen City. She couldn't keep her promise to him.
Three days later, Sarah left the country with Jacob.
The Moore family kept it tightly under wraps. No one outside knew. Only Nicholas knew, and he went on a rampage at home, smashing everything in his room.
A week later, on the day Oliver and Sarah had planned to meet.
In the evening, the sky was painted with a colorful sunset.
The riverside restaurant lit up with twinkling neon lights, and a female singer's voice was husky and lonely. Oliver wore a white shirt and black suit, with Nicole by his side.
Oliver checked his watch: 7 PM.
The waiter came over for the third time, "Sir, can we serve the food now?"
Oliver smiled slightly, "My wife hasn't arrived yet. Let's wait a bit longer. But you can bring some potato wedges for my daughter... she loves them."
The waiter smiled and went to prepare.
Oliver waited patiently.
Until 10 PM, the manager came over and apologized, "Mr. Windsor, I'm sorry, but we're closing."
Nicole's stomach growled with hunger.
Her small face looked pitiful,
Oliver picked her up and gently comforted her, "Let's go to the 24-hour diner next door and wait for Mommy. She must be stuck in traffic..."
Nicole blinked and called out, "I want Mommy."
Oliver carried her out.
As he stepped outside, a night breeze blew, and the neon lights outside were about to fade...