Ace’s mouth gaped awkwardly and he looked as if someone slapped him in the face. He was left dumbfounded for a while and too afraid to say a word in response.
He could already anticipate the words that would follow from Eugene. “You’re not the one getting married, and yet you’re making decisions on your own?”
To spare himself from further humiliation, Ace chose to remain silent. Observing the tense exchange, Finley furrowed his brow. While somewhat wary of Eugene, he had never truly witnessed his tactics. Eugene’s words struck him as impolite, sounding as if he were scolding his own son.
Deep down, Finley secretly looked down on Ace for his lack of assertiveness. After all, Ace was Eugene’s brother-in-law. How could he allow himself to be silenced by Eugene?
Seizing the opportunity to assert himself, Finley felt a newfound sense of superiority over Ace and naturally interjected into the conversation. “President Nolan, you must be joking. How can Ace get married when he’s your brother-in-law?”
As Eugene reached for the box of cigarettes on the table, Finley’s words reached his ears. He slowly lifted his gaze and glanced at Finley.
In that casual glance, Finley could feel the immense pressure emanating from the man seated across from him. Eugene didn’t utter a word, but his presence alone conveyed an unspoken power. The room fell into a chilling stillness, and the silence was so thick that even the faintest sound would echo..
Eugene calmly extracted a cigarette from the pack and placed it between his lips before igniting it with a flick of his lighter. He inhaled deeply, his cheeks hollowing, and then slowly uttered, “Didn’t he already divorce?”
Finley was momentarily stunned, struggling to process Eugene’s words. As he contemplated Eugene’s previous statement, the realization slowly dawned on him-either Eugene believed that Ace harbored intentions of forming a marriage alliance with his family, or Eugene himself wanted Ace to take Nathan’s place in establishing a marital connection with his family.
As these thoughts filled his mind, Finley felt his anger surging. His face flushed with suppressed frustration as he questioned, “President Nolan, what do you mean by all this?”
Lexie, who had been observing Eugene intently, was also taken aback. She gazed at Eugene with a perplexed expression.
Looking at Finley, Eugene maintained and impassive expression and replied, “Given that the foundation of your families’ cooperation lies in a marriage alliance, Ace is the only unmarried member of the Baker Family. Nathan, don’t you have a girlfriend?”
Nathan fought back a burst of laughter upon hearing Eugene’s words. However, mindful of the peculiar yet serious atmosphere in the room, he managed to restrain himself and swiftly replied, “Yes, Uncle. I do have a girlfriend.”
He was already aware of his parents’ divorce.
Perhaps due to growing up amid their tumultuous and mismatched marriage, Nathan had become exhausted, both emotionally and superficially. He had always felt that his mother had been unfairly treated in the relationship.. Therefore, upon learning about the divorce, he surprisingly felt calm and even relieved for his mother.
Since Finley was enthusiastic in the conversation, Nathan couldn’t help but anticipate the coming storm of his uncle’s scathing remarks.
Meanwhile, Eugene arched an eyebrow at Finley, silently conveying the message. See that? Ace is the only one left who is single.
Finley seethed with anger and nearly lost his temper. However, under Eugene’s intimidating presence, he forcefully suppressed his anger and responded, “President Nolan, the collaboration between the Snow Group and Baker Enterprise was initially discussed between Ace and me, with Nathan being the intended party. However, circumstances have changed. Nathan is now in a committed relationship, and we have no intention of separating them either. Nevertheless, the contract has already been signed, and if Nathan openly violates it, he will naturally have to compensate us for any financial losses. This is also the purpose of my visit over the past few days.”
Eugene furrowed his brows and turned to look at Nathan, knowingly asking, “Have you violated the contract?”
Having spent enough time with his uncle to understand his intentions, Nathan promptly replied, “I have no idea. I have never signed any contract with the Snow Family.”
Eugene redirected his gaze back to Finley and firmly questioned, “Where is this contract? Who signed it with you? How did Nathan violate it?! expect a proper explanation.”
