Chapter 119
Stephen’s face darkened instantly.
So, his grandfather had faked an illness just to drag him back?
“I’m not agreeing to this. I want to call off the engagement.”
“What did you just say?!”
The old man shot upright in bed, his anger flaring.
“I’m on my deathbed, and you won’t even grant me this one request? You’re absolutely heartless!”
Stephen let out a cold laugh. “From where I’m standing, you look perfectly fine–healthy enough to live another few decades.”
Marcus was speechless.
Realizing that his sudden outburst had given him away, the old man scrambled to recover.
“I–I was just experiencing a burst of last–moment vitality!”
But Stephen’s expression had already turned to stone.
He had no patience for this nonsense.
“Grandfather, don’t ever joke about something like this again. I’ve already made myself clear that I will never marry the Rivers
family’s heiress, and I won’t be changing my mind.”
His tone left no room for negotiation.
After all, the woman he liked wasn’t some high–society debutante.
She was no high–society debutante–just a simple girl, raw yet brilliant, bursting with life.
No prestigious heiress could compare to her.
This time, it was Marcus’s turn to be truly enraged.
He jumped right out of bed, glaring at his grandson.
“You think you’re so accomplished now, huh? When your father was your age, he was already married and gave birth to you!
“And you? Still single, refusing to settle down, refusing to get married! Are you planning to grow old alone and rob me of the chance to hold my great–grandchild?!”
“Who said I plan to grow old alone?”
The words slipped out before Stephen could stop them.
1/3
Chapter He
“You…”
The old man was just about to scold him again when he abruptly froze.
His eyes widened as he stared at his grandson.
“Wait. Are you saying… you already have someone you like?”
Stephen didn’t deny it.
Because the moment those words left his mouth, an image had flashed in his mind–Stellar’s bright, captivating smile.
Sometimes, realization struck in an instant.
“So, Grandfather, this engagement has to be called off.”
He took the opportunity to push the issue again, firm in his decision.
This time, Marcus didn’t object.
With their family’s influence, they had no need for political marriages to secure their position.
At the end of the day, he just wanted his grandson to find a suitable match.
Who that person was didn’t really matter.
If Stephen chose her, Marcus had no doubt she was someone truly exceptional.
+20 Bonus
“Alright, then. I’ll put aside my pride and go talk to Laurence about calling off the engagement. Knowing that old man’s temper, he’ll never forgive me for this and might even cut ties with our family.‘
He sighed, a little regretful, before heading off to make the call.
However, Stephen remained indifferent.
If the Rivers family wanted to take offense, so be it.
He had no reason to cater to
them.
가
Just as his grandfather reached the door, he suddenly turned back, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
“Oh, and one more thing–bring your future wife home soon. I’m dying to see what kind of woman managed to steal your heart.”
Stephen snapped back to the present, his gaze falling on the girl in front of him–bright–eyed and completely oblivious.
Somehow, he had a feeling this wasn’t going to be easy.
2/3
Chapte
“It’s been taken care of. Don’t worry about it.”
“Good.”
Stellar relaxed.
Stephen had helped her so much–if he ever needed anything, she wouldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
“Alright, Senior, I’m heading to the lab now.”
She waved at him before disappearing inside.
Stephen turned to leave but was interrupted by a message from Shane Howe:
“Mr. Ward, where are you? Get back to the office ASAP. There’s paperwork waiting for your signature.”
Stephen shot back a quick “On my way” before heading straight to Brighton Group.
The moment he pushed open the office door, he found Shane slumped on the couch, half–asleep from waiting too long.
“Where the hell have you been all day?” Shane grumbled, rubbing his temples.
“You do remember we had work to go over, right?”
