"Jallen, what are you doing here?" Marina asked as she looked at the old man and his family.
"Marina, good to see you after so long," the old man said, smiling heartily. "Didn’t Aeldric tell you what we’re here for?"
Marina looked at Aeldric, only to hear him say, "It was a surprise for you."
Marina felt confused, only to hear Aeldric again. "Do you rember what we used to talk about in the past—that we should tie our friendship with a relationship? Back then it didn’t happen, but now we can have our granddaughter marry Jallen’s grandson and fulfill that promise."
It shocked her. She had just t her granddaughter, and this man was already trying to take her away from her. She knew—she already knew—he could only plan to take her happiness away.
"It can’t be," Marina said. "I just t her, and she is too young to get married off."
"She is of age, and Jallen’s grandson is only two years older than her," Aeldric said.
"Yes, Marina," Jallen added. "Don’t worry about ira. We’ll keep her as our own daughter. And we’re in the sa city, so you can et her whenever you want."
Marina wanted to deny it strongly, but Aeldric looked at her and said, "I’m sure ira’s mother wants to see her daughter living well. If you want, I can send my people to bring her here."
Marina understood the threat in his voice. He was threatening her with Serena’s life.
ira stood there in shock at what was happening. She was going to get married? She turned to look at Noah, who was standing two steps behind her. Other than him, there was no one she could look to for support, as Justin was not there yet.
Noah simply looked at her but said nothing, quietly holding the mobile in his hand. The call was ongoing—Justin was listening to everything while on his way.
"Olen, co here," Aeldric called the young man, who approached him. "You are just as handso as Jallen. You and ira will look good together."
The young man smiled lightly, humd in acknowledgnt, and then looked at ira, who had her gaze lowered, her fingers nervously fidgeting together.
"What’s going on here?" Justin asked, with Natalie by his side.
They had heard everything on the call from Noah.
"You’re here," Aeldric said, feigning ignorance toward Justin’s coldness.
"Good that you arrived on ti," Aeldric added. "You already know Jallen."
Justin had t this man at previous events at Riverdale. This old man was just as shrewd as Aeldric—friends for a reason.
"As a responsible grandfather who raised this girl, I’m doing my last duty towards her," Aeldric said, his gaze mocking Justin but also warning him at the sa ti. The old man closed the distance and said in a low, warning tone, "Your grandma is happy to see her granddaughter after so long. I’m sure you don’t want to take that happiness away from her."
Justin could understand his intentions. This man was determined to show that he still held the cards in his hands.
Aeldric added once more, in a voice only Justin could hear, "Or I can call that girl’s real parents—who would once again sell her off for money."
Natalie, who stood just a step away from Justin, managed to hear it. She knew no kind of blackmail worked on Justin, but she was eager to see how he would deal with this man once again.
"What’s the plan?" Justin asked him.
"Today we are deciding on ira and Olen’s marriage, and tomorrow there will be a marriage ceremony," Aeldric said.
"So fast?" Justin asked.
To this, Jallen said, "Our oracle said it’s important for Olen to get married by tomorrow, or there will be a big disaster in his life."
"And for that, you’ve decided to sacrifice my sister," Justin comnted coldly.
Jallen felt lost for words, while Aeldric asked, "Would you like to join the discussion, or would you prefer other options?"
Justin stared at the man for a mont and said, "Go ahead."
Hearing it, both Marina and ira felt shocked. They had thought Justin would do sothing, but...
ira looked at him and watched as he sat on the sofa to join the discussion about her marriage. He said nothing, simply listening to the two old n planning.
Once it was done, the guests left. Marina, entirely displeased, went to spend ti with ira and then left.
Aeldric looked at Justin with a triumphant smile. "Good that you agreed to this marriage. After all, she is not your real sister, but we can gain benefits from this marriage. This alliance will help our business greatly—just like your marriage did. I’ve raised that girl for so many years; it’s only right she pays back for it."
Justin simply listened and watched the old man go to his study.
"Justin, what are you planning?" Natalie asked.
"One humiliation in private wasn’t enough for him," Justin said, referring to how he had tricked the old man with his and Grace’s marriage. "Let him celebrate for now."
"Aren’t you going to talk to ira? She looked scared."
"Noah can take care of it," Justin said, standing up as he held Natalie’s hand and went upstairs.
-----
The next day, at noon, a small wedding preparation was held at the Riverdale estate. The guests were invited, surprised at how frequently weddings were being arranged in the Riverdale family. But they had to attend—no one could dare miss an invitation from the Riverdales.
As all the guests gathered, with the groom already present at the altar, they waited for the bride. Soon, the bride arrived at the altar, and all the guests were eager to see this hidden granddaughter of Aeldric Riverdale.
There she was—a young woman in a beautiful wedding dress, walking slowly down the aisle with her gaze lowered. Only she knew how nervous she was, but she had to go through with it.
Olen looked at his bride and couldn’t deny she was truly beautiful.
The entire Riverdale family was present. Everyone looked calm, though it wasn’t what most of them wished to see. Aeldric, Grace, and Malloey were the only ones who looked pleased.
’I couldn’t wait to get rid of this bitch,’ Grace thought. ’One gone, now only one is left.’
ira climbed the three steps up to the altar and stood facing the groom as per the emcee’s instructions.
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