Chapter 35 Lover
Everyone immediately looked at Emelie.
Emelie stood there with a blank expression, like some frozen statue.
Mikhail Spencer and his wife, Linda Grabel, were actually quite fond of Emelie, especially after seeing how capable and sociable she’d been tonight. They knew Troy was not cut out for managing a business, so they had hoped to find a woman capable of doing so for him.
Emelie’s lack of wealth of influence was actually advantageous to them, as it meant they could easily manipulate and control her. They were concerned that if Troy’s wife came from a wealthy or influential family, she might divert the company’s profits to her own family.
Linda clasped Emelie’s hand and smiled kindly at her. “Yes. I think Emelie is a fine young woman, too.”
Emelie immediately pulled her hand away, shocking Linda.
Emelie then said calmly, “Mrs. Spencer, please don’t misunderstand. Mr. Troy was just fooling around. We’re no more than friends, so there’s no way marriage would be involved.”
Troy exclaimed in a panic, “Emelie!”
as a
Emelie continued swiftly, “You’ve misunderstood my feelings, Mr. Troy. I’ve only ever treated you a normal friend, nothing more.”
“That doesn’t matter! What matters is that you can treat me as more than a friend now, right?” Troy said adamantly. “I don’t care! It’s you I want! You need to marry me because I said so! Today’s my birthday. after all!”
Emelie said, “Are you forcing me now, Mr. Troy?”
“Yes, I am,” Troy grumbled.
Mikhail was clearly the wiser one compared to his son.
The Middleton family was clearly fond of Emelie. Even if William didn’t marry her, she’d still be his implied “lover“. It wasn’t uncommon for influential families to adopt such a system. The Undvike family was a prime example.
The Spencers couldn’t afford to take Emelie away from the Middletons. So Mikhail said sternly, “Be quiet, Troy. Stop fooling around. You can’t force Ms. Hoven if she isn’t willing.”
Henry glanced at William before sneering. “You have such poor taste, unlike some people.”
William remained expressionless, though his jaw was pulled taut.
Henry gave it some thought before steadying his glass on the table again. He said suddenly, “I’ll give you a dowry if you marry Troy, Emelie!”
“Sir!” Emelie exclaimed in shock.
Linda immediately piped up, “Ahem, Troy is just childish at times, but I’m sure you can see how kind he is, right? He’s a fine young man and reputable in Capebatt City, too. He’s still a good choice for you, isn’t that right, Ms. Hoven?”
There was no way that Troy was a good choice for her. Emelle wanted to counter, “Mra. Spencer, I.
“Emelle.” Henry cut in. He began playing matchmaker for Emelle and Troy’s marriage. “I can vouch for Troy’s character. I’ve watched him grow from a child to the man he is today”
Linda hurriedly added, “And you can always develop your love for one another later on. Why don’t you two get engaged first? Then you can strengthen your relationship and arrange for n wedding.”
Troy grew excited. “That’s a great ideal Why don’t we just announce the engagement right now to all the guests out there? It will be a wonderful surprise for them!”
Without so much as waiting for Emelie to respond, Troy dragged her outside to announce this news. None of them had given her any chance to voice her opinion.
Emelie stumbled behind Troy.
She hadn’t been too concerned when it was just Linda and Troy talking about marriage. But when Henry. began supporting it, fear and panic immediately overcame her.
Emelie was certain they were very much capable of making a marriage between her and Troy come true.
C
