Chapter 65 : What If The Deal Fell Apart?
Ruth already assumed the proposal was for Sherrie and teased her lightly, “Why didn’t Ronan say anything earlier? What a tease…”
Sherrie quickly spoke up for him. “Mom, don’t blame Ronan. He probably just wanted to surprise us.”
Ruth chuckled. “Look at you, already taking his side before the wedding.”
Sherrie glanced at Linda shyly. “Mom, Madam Linda will laugh at me.”
Linda leaned back against the sofa, resting her arm there, and simply smiled without saying a word.
Meanwhile, once his initial excitement faded, Nigel’s expression turned serious.
“Madam Linda, my father passed away early, so as Sherrie’s brother, I handle her marriage matters. I hope Mr. Luke doesn’t mind.”
Linda answered smoothly, “Not only Mr. Luke. Even Jackson has given his approval.”
Nigel stayed cautious. “Mr. Luke was against this marriage before. Why the sudden change?”
Even Sherrie sensed that something was off.
Shouldn’t Nigel be happy about the proposal? Why was he being so hostile?
Before she could interrupt them, Ruth pulled her aside and whispered, “The bride’s family must keep their heads high, while the groom’s family must lower theirs. Your brother is setting boundaries so the Lopez family won’t bully you later.”
Sherrie fidgeted. “Our family… asserting dominance over the Lopez family?”
Wasn’t that reckless? What if the deal fell apart?
Ruth continued in a low voice, “Your brother is angry. By tradition, the groom’s parents should come in person to show sincerity. Even if Jackson didn’t come, Luke and Ronan should have at least shown up. What status does Linda really have?”
At best, she was a second wife. At worst, she was nothing more than a mistress.
Sending her to make the proposal was a slap in the face to the Rogers family.
Hearing this, Sherrie looked at Linda with a cold stare.
Linda seemed unaware of Nigel’s sarcasm. “Mr. Nigel, you misunderstand. Jackson has always held Ms. Rogers in high regard. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have personally sent the engagement gifts.”
That explanation made sense. Nigel’s expression softened slightly. Maybe Luke and Ronan had other arrangements, and Linda was simply the one sent to deliver the message.
After all, Ronan was the sole heir of the Lopez family. They would never allow his wedding to be anything but grand.
Then Linda glanced around and asked curiously, “Aren’t there two young ladies in the Rogers family? Where is the other one?”
Only then did Nigel remember Allison. He turned to Ella.
Ella shook her head. “Allison didn’t come home…”
Nigel frowned. “She’s still not back?”
Ella nodded.
Hearing this, Linda’s brows knitted in displeasure. “That won’t do. How can she not be here?”
Nigel shrugged it off. “My sister is naturally jealous. Seeing these gifts would only upset her. It’s better that she isn’t here.”
Linda’s frown deepened. “But how can the wedding go on without her?”
Nigel failed to catch the implication, assuming she was only displeased by the family’s incomplete presence. “I handle my sister’s marriage. When I say it’s settled, then it’s settled.”
Ruth nodded in agreement. “That’s right. As the eldest brother, Nigel has the final say in Sherrie’s marriage.”
Linda’s eyes flickered before she finally spoke. “Well.”
She gestured to the butler. “Leave the engagement gifts here as a sign of our agreement. The next time we meet, I hope it will be at Ms. Rogers’s wedding.”
Sherrie lowered her head, and her lips curved into a shy smile.
After bidding Linda goodbye, the family closed the door behind them.
Nigel said with satisfaction, “The Lopez family will probably hold the wedding soon.”
Sherrie’s face lit up as Ruth carefully examined the gifts. Each one was exquisite, just as expected from the Lopez family.
Nigel barely spared them a glance. A thought struck him, and he turned to Ella. “How long has Allison been gone?”
Ella counted on her fingers. “She left yesterday morning and hasn’t come back since.”
Nigel scoffed. “She’s becoming more and more unruly each day. Who knows what she’s doing out there?”
Sherrie put on a look of concern. “Nigel, maybe we should go look for her. I would really like Allison to be at my wedding. Her blessing would mean so much to me.”
Nigel sighed. “She’s not like you. You’re kindhearted. I don’t expect her blessing. I just hope she doesn’t cause any trouble.”
After a pause, he added cautiously, “But we should still find her. The last thing we need is a scandal that could ruin your wedding.”
The search went on late into the night, but there was still no sign of Allison.
In the end, Nigel called Ronan and asked him about it.
“Didn’t Allison mention that Violet had a friend who could take her in?”
Ronan knew there was no such friend.
As he tried to figure out where Allison might be, Jareth suddenly came to mind.
Jareth had just been punished by Grandpa and sent to the hospital. Was Allison taking care of him?
Seeing Allison dote on Jareth sent a twist of jealousy through Ronan’s heart.
She wouldn’t even apply ointment for me, yet she was so attentive to that cripple.
How ridiculous.
Ronan grabbed his jacket and headed out, growling into the phone, “I’ll find her myself.”
After hanging up, he rushed straight to Kansas Hospital.
In Jareth’s room, he shoved past Oliver, who tried to stop him, and kicked the door open.
Jareth sat on the bed, and his eyes turned cold as they fell on Ronan.
“I warned you before. Don’t fall into my hands again.”
Ronan ignored the warning. He scanned the room and saw no one. He stormed into the bathroom and checked every possible hiding place. There was still no Allison.
He strode up to Jareth and demanded, “Where are you hiding Allison?”
Oliver hurried inside and grabbed Ronan’s arm. “Allison isn’t here!”
Ronan shoved him off again, and he stared at Jareth fiercely. “We’ve searched all of Kansas. If she’s not with you, then where else would she be?”
Jareth’s voice turned cold. “Allison is missing?”
Before anyone could answer, he reached for his cane and swung his injured leg off the bed.
Oliver frowned. “Jareth, let me handle this. You shouldn’t be moving around.”
Ronan finally realized that Allison really wasn’t there. But where else could she be?
If Jareth didn’t have her, then he would search elsewhere.
Just as he turned to leave, Jareth’s voice cut through the air.
“Hold him.”