"Ryder, don't be so agitated. We can sit down and discuss this matter calmly. The Moore family might not be willing to break off the engagement. We can try to communicate with them again."
Declan's words made Owen look up. He'd already made up his mind to break off the engagement. But what if, after the families talk, they still push for the marriage?
"No way. I'm not marrying Scarlett!" he refused firmly.
"Owen!" Ryder gritted his teeth, wishing he could tear Owen apart right then and there. "You don't have the right to oppose this. You must marry Scarlett!"
Cassidy frowned, "Ryder, why do you always force Owen? He's your younger brother. Doesn't his will matter to you at all? If this marriage is so important, why don't you marry Miss. Moore yourself?"
Ryder glared viciously at Cassidy. If Declan hadn't been standing in front of Ryder, he might have already rushed forward to strangle Cassidy. "You, a dying woman, have no right to comment on our family affairs!"
Ryder's words made the atmosphere tense, and Cassidy's face turned pale. Half a year would pass quickly, and when the new family head was elected, it would be Cassidy's death day.
Thinking he had found the perfect way to strike back, Ryder became even more brazen. He pointed at Cassidy, his tone harsh, "Cassidy, you better recognize your place! This is our family matter, and it has nothing to do with you!"
This sentence directly excluded Cassidy from the Cooper family.
Declan looked at Cassidy's pale face, wanting to speak for her while Easton suddenly appeared, quickly grabbing Ryder's raised hand and twisting it forcefully. The sound of bones dislocating was heard, and Ryder cried out in pain.
Easton coldly shook Ryder's hand away, "Ryder, I've told you, Cassidy was personally chosen by father as the family head. She represents the entire Cooper family. Moreover, what right do you have to criticize her!"
Ryder looked at Declan and Easton standing protectively in front of Cassidy. In this argument, everyone was on the opposite side of him. He knew that if the argument continued, he would definitely be the one to suffer in the end.
Ryder glared at Cassidy with a sinister look, making her very uncomfortable. "Fine! Since you all think she's right, then continue being her subordinates! One day, you will regret it!" He spat out viciously before storming off.
Declan watched Ryder's back, then looked at the dejected Owen, sighed, and eventually left as well.
Owen's face was severely swollen, and his eyes were red, as if he was about to cry. Cassidy felt a bit sorry for him and asked the butler to bring some medicine.
Easton stood nearby, watching Cassidy care for Owen, frowning but ultimately saying nothing, snorting coldly before leaving quickly.
Cassidy watched his departing figure, sensing his unhappiness, but Owen's injury was more important now, so she didn't think about why Easton was unhappy.
The butler brought the ointment, and Cassidy initially wanted Owen to apply it himself, but realizing he couldn't see his own injury, she took the ointment and applied it for him.
Cassidy carefully applied the cool ointment to Owen's face, gently rubbing it in.
Worried that Owen might be in pain, Cassidy's movements were very light, occasionally blowing on his wound instinctively.
As Cassidy applied the ointment, the distance between her and Owen decreased significantly.
She didn't feel anything unusual, but Owen subconsciously breathed more heavily. He smelled the scent on Cassidy. It was a sweet and enticing scent, making him want to inhale more.
Realizing this, Owen's face gradually turned red. Luckily, his face was already swollen and red, so Cassidy didn't notice his change. He carefully adjusted his breathing to avoid drawing her attention.
Cassidy didn't notice Owen's odd behavior; she was thinking about the earlier argument.
"Owen, you shouldn't be so impulsive." Cassidy sighed lightly, "You should know very well what your marriage to Miss Moore represents. Announcing the desire to break off the engagement in public, it's hard for Ryder not to be angry."
Cassidy understood that she was only temporarily acting as the family head, and both Ryder and Easton were eyeing that position. She also knew that if Owen could marry Scarlett, it would greatly help Ryder.
"Cassidy, I absolutely won't agree to marry Scarlett." Owen firmly expressed his will.
Cassidy felt a bit helpless; sense told her not to get involved in this matter, and she didn't want to interfere with Owen's decision because she knew he understood its implications.
However, looking into Owen's sincere and clear eyes, and recalling how he defended her at the banquet today, she couldn't ignore it. "Since you insist, I'll help think of a way," she said.
"Really?" Owen looked at Cassidy with great surprise, excitedly grabbing her hands. "Cassidy, thank you for being willing to help me!"
Cassidy's hands were wrapped in Owen's, feeling the warmth of his palms. She was a bit surprised, not expecting Owen to suddenly hold her hands.
Cassidy's slightly widened eyes in surprise looked a bit cute, making Owen's heart flutter, wanting to pull Cassidy into his arms. But soon he realized it was wrong and quickly stood up in a panic.
They were in a stepmother and stepson relationship; how could he have such thoughts?
"Cassidy, I, I didn't mean anything else, I just..." Owen stammered, trying to explain, but couldn't find the right words.
Cassidy was only surprised by Owen's reaction and didn't think much of it, but seeing Owen's flushed face and incoherent words, a suspicion arose in her mind.
She stood up in a bit of a panic, wanting to leave immediately. But seeing Owen's flushed face, she couldn't help but remind him, "Owen, you're like a younger brother to me. Thank you for defending me at the banquet today. Applying the ointment was my way of thanking you. Now that it's done, I won't disturb you anymore."
Owen hadn't shown any affection towards her yet, and she wasn't sure if he had inappropriate feelings for her, so she could only state her stance.
After saying this, Cassidy quickly left the living room. Owen watched her departing figure, his eyes filled with unwillingness.
Given their relationship, having feelings for his stepmother was against ethics. But Cassidy's words made him feel very dissatisfied.
Cassidy wasn't much older than him; why did she see him as a brother? Did she think he couldn't protect her?
Owen's breathing gradually became heavier. He desperately wanted to pull Cassidy back and talk to her again, but sense made him suppress this thought.
Owen's expression couldn't hide his frustration. He asked the butler to put away the ointment and went back to his room.
At the corner, Easton had been waiting for him.
Owen and Cassidy thought they were alone in the living room, but Easton had seen all their actions from an unnoticed spot.
Easton knew very well what Owen's flushed face meant, and he felt a sense of crisis, as if his possession was being eyed by someone else. This sense of crisis made him wait for Owen at the corner.
"Easton?" Easton's appearance surprised Owen, but he quickly realized that Easton might have seen what happened in the living room.