That night, the Beckett family got together for their monthly dinner with Newton.


    The atmosphere appeared cheerful and merry; even Betty helped serve her sister food and drink every


    now and then. It was as if they shared a close bond.


    Lauren stayed silent beside Jasper, not uttering a word since the beginning of the evening.


    Though she remained quiet, her determination was evident-every morsel of food Betty gave her was


    discreetly pushed to the side of the te.


    Javier set his silverware down. “Dad, Sophia and I have something important in the works. We’d like to


    seek your opinion on it now that we’ve taken the time to consider it.”


    “Why? If you two have decided, then there is no point ining to me for approval.” Newton tucked


    into


    some corn.


    Newton went on, saying, “I’m sure this wife of yours can give you all the opinions you need to hear.


    Haven’t you relied on her all these years?”


    Sophia forced a smile, even though her chest was filled with hatred.


    She despised this time of the month. Newton always had his way of pushing her buttons or digging a


    thorn in her side. It got so bad that she would get insomnia in anticipation of the monthly dinner.


    She wondered when Newton would die.


    Javier cleared his throat, sping Sophia’s hand under the table. “Betty’s a young woman now, Dad. I


    think it’s time we consider her marriage prospects.”


    Betty blushed furiously in response.


    Newton paused in his eating. “Marriage? Betty is only 25 years old. Why are you trying to marry her off


    so


    badly? I still want her and Lauren to be by my side for at least ten more years. What the hell are you in


    a


    rush for?”


    Javier pursed his lips. He didn’t know what to say.


    “The girls are beautiful and will no doubt stay so even until they’re 52. They will still have their fair share


    of


    suitors then!”


    Newton suddenly narrowed his eyes. “You’re not trying to form a marriage alliance, are you? The


    company


    isn’t having an emergency, is it?”


    “What? No, of course not, Dad,” Sophia hurriedly said.


    “I’m telling you now, Javier Beckett, don’t you force my granddaughters into an arranged marriage even


    if


    it means thepany is to go bankrupt tomorrow. Understood?” Newton ordered sternly.


    “You’re overthinking, Grandpa.” Betty tugged on his arm, shaking her head. “Mom and Dad are just


    helping


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    me out. It’s nothing to do with the business. I’m the one who wants to marry.”


    “You?” Newton asked incredulously.


    Betty nodded. A shy smile graced her face.


    Newton couldn’t help but wonder where the time had gone. His granddaughter was all grown up.


    “You misunderstood Javier, Dad. We’re only supporting Betty’s wishes. She already has someone in


    mind,


    “Sophia said, grinning.


    “Oh? Who then?”


    “Landon, Dad,” Javier said. “The Harper boy. You’ve known him since he was a kid.”


    Jasper remained silent as he ate, though a note of apprehension appeared in his eyes.


    “Landon? Landon Harper?”


    “Yes, Dad,” Sophia affirmed.


    A loud ng suddenly interrupted the conversation. All eyes fell on Lauren, whose silverware had


    dropped onto the floor.


    That was considered extremely rude in a household where manner and etiquette were everything.


    “I-I’m so sorry!” Lauren cried, bending down to pick the cutlery up. However, Jasper beat her to it.


    “It’s alright. I’ll get you a new set,” he said kindly.


    “Thank you. Thank you, Jasper, Lauren murmured meekly.


    Betty watched her sister, who had grown pale and stark, and grinned evilly.