“What? He threatened to send his troops?” Everyone was startled by the news Jacob brought. They had all thought that things would run smoothly. As long as Tyler agreed to their proposal, the marriage alliance would still be on. Who’d have thought that this was how things turned out?
“I just don’t get it. What am I lacking compared to Natasha? Why would Tyler refuse to marry me?” Kate hissed through gritted teeth, livid. As a woman, she had lowered herself so much by going to the Grants to offer her hand in marriage. Not only had Tyler not appreciated the gesture and thrown her out, but he also did not even spare her a glance once the entire time! It was pure humiliation!
“So Tyler rejected the swap, and Natasha refuses to marry him. Now what?” Someone asked.
“I say we go head– on against them!” Kate exclaimed in frustration. “Since Tyler isn’t showing us any respect, I don’t see why we should honor them either!”
“Watch your words, Kate!” Trent immediately stopped her from continuing. They never knew who might be listening in on them, so they had to practice caution with every word they said.
“You’re the leader of the family, Hector. You decide!” Jacob took his seat huffily and downed an entire cup of tea. He had been thoroughly put to shame at the Grants earlier on and needed something to calm his nerves.
“Since the suggestion for the swap has been rejected, we’ll have to find other means of getting out of the wedding alliance,” Hector said gravely.
“Here’s my plan. I’ll have my 50th birthday celebration in advance, and hold it on the same day as the wedding. I’ll organize a huge banquet and invite everyone we know.”
“A celebration for your 50th birthday?” Nobody seemed to understand what Hector had in mind. How would it help to have his birthday celebration in advance?
“What you’re suggesting, Hector, is to pressure the Grants into backing off with the celebration?” Trent seemed to catch on very quickly.
“Precisely.” Hector nodded. “Since Tyler insists on forcing Natasha into the marriage, I’ll hold a huge celebration on the same day, and invite all the rich and famous that we know. I’m sure the Grants would dare not act rashly in the presence of all the elites.”
“You make a good point there …” Trent considered as he rubbed his chin. “We have always made sure to stay in others‘ good books and made many valuable connections. It’s time we showed the Grants who we have behind us. It might make them stop and rethink their choices before acting recklessly.”
“Hector, your suggestion is only a temporary solution. At the end of the day, the root of the problem still exists. What will we do if Tyler really sends his troops?” Jacob went straight to the point. The Grants were so powerful because they had strong military backgrounds. That was the only reason why nobody dared to mess with them, and the sole reason why the Harmons feared them .
“I’ve considered that too, so I’ve contacted Sir Moran in hopes that he’d be able to help us,” Hector said. Sir Moran was a regional deputy chief who was immensely powerful, and based on military ranks, he was considered Tyler’s superior.
“Will Sir Moran agree to help us?” Jacob had his doubts.
“Jayla had put Sir Moran’s daughter in trouble before. Though she might be dead now, the hatred he has for them will not vanish just like that. We will make use of this and have him help us out,” Hector explained.
“If you really do get Sir Moran on our side, then there’s still hope for us!” Trent looked hopeful.
“I’ll try my best to persuade Sir Moran before the birthday banquet!” Hector announced resolutely. Sir Moran’s powers were their only hope of getting through the mess with the Grants.
“Why would you need to go to anyone else for help when I’m here, Uncle Hector?” A deep voice boomed in the meeting room. Soon after, a well–built man in a military uniform walked in with his head held high, and trailing behind him were two adjutants.
“Dylan?” The crowd was pleasantly surprised to see the man because he was none other than Dylan Harmon, Jacob’s son!
Dylan was stationed at the country’s borders year–round and would only be home once a year. Nobody had expected him to be back so soon!
