Chapter 267

“You can’t really put it like that,” Baldrick said, shaking his head. “Melissa always knew I was easy to talk to. If she’d really fallen for someone else and talked it through with us, both families would’ve ended the engagement, no problem. She probably just acted on impulse. It honestly had nothing to do with the engagement itself p>

“The real issue is that you, as her dad, didn’t like the guy she picked and made it obvious,” someone chimed in.

Padgett bristled. “How did I make it obvious? What father doesn’t test his future son- in-law a little p>

“Except Agassi was just a broke student back then. He had nothing. Was I supposed to let Melissa end up struggling with him?” Padgett insisted.

Baldrick shot him a look. “You were too quick to judge. If you’d taken some time to check out Agassi and watched him for a bit, you wouldn’t have thought that way. Agassi’s mom is Sawyer’s daughter, you know p>

“The James Family always managed to keep themselves safe, even in the worst times. They’re seriously tight-knit,” Baldrick went on. “And Pandora? She’s the only female head that family’s ever had p>

“If I’d known Melissa liked her son, I would’ve told Ablett to break off the engagement himself. I would’ve wanted them to be happy,” Baldrick added.

Back when they were living out in the countryside, The James Family helped Baldrick and his wife out a lot. It wasn’t just them. Some other big names were involved too. On the surface, Pandora had cut ties with all those people. What really happened behind the scenes, though, Baldrick wasn’t so sure.

After Sawyer died, The James Family kept things quiet. Or maybe, during those strange years, they just learned to keep a low profile. They even donated more than half their assets to the country.

Padgett rolled his eyes. “Easy for you to say now p>

Back in those days, Agassi didn’t seem anything like some rich kid. He just seemed like a bookish guy. Padgett really thought he was just some small-town guy who got into The Cabinda University and was hoping to marry up.

“Who’s talking hindsight?” Baldrick shot back, clearly annoyed.

It looked like the two of them were about to start bickering all over again. That’s when Claire finally jumped in. “Grandpa, Mr. Green, you two are really on a roll today, huh p>

Her words snapped the two old men out of it instantly.

“We were just having a lively discussion. We definitely weren’t arguing,” Baldrick said quickly.

Padgett gave him a look that could have burned a hole through him. Baldrick, trying to look good in front of Claire? Please. As if they didn’t know each other’s tricks by

now.

“We were totally arguing,” Padgett said, turning to Claire.

Claire couldn’t help but laugh. She felt caught somewhere between exasperated and amused. She had zero interest in talking about any engagement. She had just broken off one, and now, apparently there was another waiting for her?

She turned to Dane. “Do you know what’s up with this whole engagement thing p>

she asked in a low voice while the two old men started bickering again.

Dane nodded. Your mom and my uncle called off their engagement. They agreed it would carry on to the next generation. The Churchill Family didn’t have any daughters before, so no one brought it up. Now that you’re back, it’s become a thing p>

Since she was Melissa’s daughter, people would assume she was supposed to

make up for her mom’s broken promise.

“So according to our families, we’re engaged,” Dane said.

Claire raised her eyebrows, giving Dane a look. “Do you even want to be engaged to me p>

Dane looked surprised at her bluntness. “It’s not just about what I want. It matters what you want, too. Your opinion actually means something p>

He paused for a second before adding, “Your mom only broke the engagement after she met your dad. I just… I don’t want you to agree to something and then change your mind later if you meet someone else you like. We can’t just keep passing this down to the next generation p>