At this moment, Deanna was digesting the nauseating news.
No wonder Garrett insisted on her presence.
It turned out, it was to sell her off to the cfamily!
Either way, tonight, she had been thoroughly humiliated.
But she didn't care anymore; a dead pig isn't afraid of boiling water.
Running her fingers through her hair, Deanna burst out laughing.
"How ridiculous! Six years ago, you all kicked me out of the Jones family. And now, you have the audacity to tell me you've arranged a marriage for me? Mr. Jones, on what grounds and qualifications did you arrange this marriage?" Without waiting for his response, she turned to Mr. Cole, arching her eyebrows. "And you, Mr. Cole, don't you know I'm no longer a part of the Jones family? Don't you know that six years ago, I fell from grace? Marrying your son, are you brave enough to accept it?"
Her gaze suddenly sharpened, full of aggression.
She wanted to see who dared to touch her today.
Mr. Cole swallowed hard, feeling overwhelmed by her presence, and took a step back.
He remained silent, unsure how to respond to her questions.
To think, Jared, who had been in business all his life, was intimidated by a young girl today?
Garrett was furious, taking a while to react.
She had publicly humiliated him? She had no manners!
Infuriated, he pointed at her nose, shouting, "You still have the face to speak? Back then, you did shameless things, and it's Cole family's blessing to accept you! What identity do you still hold? Even if I kicked you out, you still carry my Garrett's blood in your veins!"
Garrett glared, his chest heaving.
Seeing this, Mia patted his back, calming him down. "Garrett, she's just a child. Don't argue with her."
Glancing at Deanna, she added, "Yes, Deanna. Your father worried himself sick over your marriage!"
Her tone was full of concern, and she sighed after speaking.
It seemed like Deanna was just causing trouble for no reason.
Others began to discuss.
A young girl curiously asked, "Isn't Miss Jones aware of this? What's going on?"
The loud woman from earlier interjected, "Yeah, looks like she doesn't agree either!"
A middle-aged man clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. "She just doesn't know what's good for her. Marrying the young master of the Cole family is her luck!"
The rest echoed his sentiments.
In their eyes, Deanna was lucky to have someone interested in her.
Her refusal to marry into the Cole family was just her wanting to aim higher, being like a toad wanting to eat swan meat.
Raphael's mother, Abigail, cleared her throat and spoke up. "Deanna, the Jones family and the Howard family have always been close. We forgave you for betraying Raphael back then. But now, you shouldn't defy your father again. Cole family is good enough, and you're at the age to get married. Cole family doesn't mind you, you should be grateful."
In the eyes of the Howard family, she was worthless.
But for the sake of the Jones family's face, she had to speak up.
Deanna had had enough of these hypocrites.
She smiled confidently, radiant like a flower blooming under the sun.
"What kind of person is worthy to marry me? Do you all really think I'll marry anyone? Who do you think you are to dictate my marriage?"
Her presence was overpowering, emitting a strong aura.
Everyone was stunned, someone exclaimed, "This woman is extremely audacious!"
Garrett couldn't contain his anger; he stepped forward, pressing, "Deanna, you're being outrageous! Whether you agree or not, you will marry into the Cole family today!"
If he couldn't control such a little girl, how could he, Mr. Jones, continue in the business world?
How could he tolerate her defiance time and time again?
Deanna was used to the shamelessness of the Jones family.
She looked at him, mocking with a tug at the corner of her mouth, "What? Trying to force me into prostitution or selling your daughter? How much did Cole family pay you? To be so desperate to deceive me back, it must be a hefty sum, right?"
Deanna wasn't surprised; the Cole family came on strong.
The Jones family would definitely push her towards the Cole family.
With a cold snort, she saw through his intentions, "Finding me a home, sounds so nice. If it weren't for thinking I could still be of use, would you be so kind?"
The Cole family was wealthy; there must be a catch to them agreeing to marry her.
Perhaps, a nightmare was waiting for her.
Garrett was embarrassed; indeed, it was for the Cole family's money that he agreed to the marriage.
Deanna saw through his true nature at a glance.
"Garrett, others might not understand you, but don't I? Are you even worthy of being a father?"
Regardless of now or in the past, he had never been good to her.
She had long stopped considering him as a father.