Chapter 934

 934:
Collin’s response came wrapped in a serene smile, a deliberate contrast to Kase’s barely contained anger. “Have you forgotten, Mr. Walton? My grandmother and your wife shared a deep friendship. She envisioned a union between Haven and myself because of their bond. But Haven thought little of me—even fleeing our wedding ceremony. That event prevented our families from forging stronger ties.”
The reference to Haven’s wedding day escape from five years past painted Kase’s features with unmistakable discomfort.
He hesitated, then managed to say weakly, “Haven has come to regret that choice, but…”
“I harbor no resentment toward Haven for her decision,” Collin interjected smoothly. “I merely speak the truth. In fact, I owe Haven my gratitude. Had she not fled, I would never have met Linsey.”
As he spoke these words, his typically austere expression melted into something surprisingly tender.
“Perhaps fate was guiding us all along.” Collin turned once more toward Linsey, his gaze softening with an affection that transformed his entire countenance.
With each passing moment, Kase’s irritation mounted dangerously.
Were it not for the Walton family’s reputation and the demands of social grace, he might have risen and stormed out, unwilling to endure further subtle insults to his family’s dignity.
A sudden disturbance near the staircase captured everyone’s attention. All eyes shifted to witness Haven and Joanne descending in succession, their presence commanding the room.
Kase, the sting of Collin’s earlier mockery still fresh, felt a surge of misdirected anger toward Haven.
In his mind, a persistent thought burned: had Haven not abandoned her wedding to Collin, the resulting alliance would have elevated the Walton family to uncontested dominance in Grester’s social hierarchy.
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The more Kase dwelled on the situation, the hotter his fury blazed. He lashed out, “Mr. Riley and Ms. Brooks have been sitting here awaiting your presence! Is this how you’ve chosen to honor our guests? Have the lessons of hospitality we instilled in you evaporated so completely?”
Though Haven had steeled herself for the inevitable sight of Collin beside Linsey, the reality of them seated together sent a crushing weight through her chest, constricting her breath.
The scene before her felt impossibly wrong.
With frustration etching into her bitten lip, Haven could only advance obediently under the weight of Kase’s merciless stare.
“Forgive me, Grandpa. My preparations took longer than anticipated. I never intended to keep everyone waiting.”
Kase’s hand had always fallen heavily upon Haven’s shoulders, particularly since that fateful day five years ago when she fled her own wedding.
Had the abandoned groom merely been the Riley family’s eldest son with his disability, perhaps forgiveness might have come easier.
But Collin’s true identity—founder of the formidable CR Corporation, a man of aristocratic lineage and unfathomable wealth—made her transgression unforgivable.
The revelation of Collin’s true stature had plunged the family into a maelstrom of regret so profound it defied expression.
Haven’s return home had carried with it a fragile hope: that following Collin’s divorce, she might win him over.
Yet in her calculations, she had failed to account for the most devastating possibility—Collin’s heart had always belonged irrevocably to Linsey.
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