Chapter 16 Greedy
Drake and Rebecca both looked visibly uncomfortable.
What did Mrs. Myrtle mean by her comment?
How could she lack even a shred of self–awareness!
Teresa furrowed her brow slightly, quickly noticing that something was off with Drake, Rebecca, and Ruby’s expressions, She glanced at Myrtle
When their eyes met, their gazes showed a subtle shift.
Teresa smiled and stood up. “Drake, Rebecca, my mom’s point is that we should settle Caleb and Ruby’s engagement during this visit. Both of them are grown now, and it would give everyone peace of mind to finalize things early
“Teresa, this is my life we re talking about. My parents can’t decide it for me. Ruby spoke up before anyone else could respond. “Please don’t make things difficult for them. Since you’re here today, let me clarify–I want to focus on my studies right now and don’t want to be distracted by anything else. Let’s cancel this engagement. After all, we’re not living in some outdated era of arranged marriages.
Teresa froze, stunned by Ruby’s bluntness.
Myrtle was equally taken aback.
Both wom
Women stared at Ruby in silence.
Ruby continued, Tm sure Caleb will find someone who matches him in the future.”
Someone like me was out of Caleb’s league, anyway.
Feeling awkward, Drake stood up. “Mrs. Myrtle. Teresa, Ruby speaks her mind too freely at times. If she’s offended you in any way. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”
“Dad. I’m an adult now! I have the right to make my own choices!” Ruby turned to Drake, her expression resolute.
Drake sighed, saying, “I only have Ruby as my daughter. She’s been spoiled her whole life, and honestly, I can’t control her. If she doesn’t want this, we can’t force her. As the saying goes, “You can’t force happiness Let’s just call off the engagement
Teresa kept her poised smile, though her eyes revealed disappointment. “Drake, calling off an engagement isn’t a trivial matter. Our families have been close for years, and Hank made me promise, on his deathbed no less, that we would honor this arrangement …
Hank had always been a man of his word, and he and Drake had been as close as brothers.
Even though the Quades were now far above the Moores in status, they still valued loyalty and integrity.
Who would have thought the Moores would want to break off the engagement?
And Ruby’s words–did she believe the Quades weren’t good enough for her?
Was that her true intention, or was
as Teresa imagining it
Drake’s blunt response caught Teresa off guard.
She hadn’t expected him to be so firm, even implying that she was being unreasonable by holding onto the engagement.
“Teresa,” Drake said, meeting her gaze. “You’re a smart woman. Why pretend to be confused when we’ve already been clear?
Drake paused before adding, “I know the Quades are in financial trouble right now. And yes, I remember that when the Moores were struggling, the Quades extended a helping hand. But using that as leverage to demand repayment is wrong.”
The Quades in financial trouble?
Chapter 16 Greedy
Teresa’s eves narrowed slightly.
Finished
the Moores were in crisis. Hank gave us 15,000 Today
Drake motioned for a servant to bring over a tray Teresa, hack when t we’re returning double that amount, along with the keepsake he left us.
Back then, Hank lent them 15.000 dollars
Now that they had repaid 30.000 dollars, they had more than fulfilled their obligations.
As he spoke, Drake lifted the cloth covering the tray, revealing neat stacks of crisp bills and a jade pendant carved in the shape of a dragon.
Teresa looked at Drake as though seeing him for the first time.
Had she not witnessed this herself, she would never have believed this was the same man she once knew.
Time really could change people.
The engagement between the Moores and the Quades wasn’t something the Quades had insisted on back then–Drake had. proposed it himself.
And Dow based on nothing more than rumors of financial trouble, he wanted to cut ties and cancel the engagement, all while acting as though he was being righteous.
Such hypocrisy was almost unbearable.
When Teresa remained silent, Drake frowned. What’s wrong? Not enough? That’s $30,000, Teresa. Don’t be greedy”
If she found $30.000 insufficient, that would be downright shameless.
Teresa glared at him. “Drake, you’re nothing but an ungrateful coward!”
Without that 15,000, would the Moores even be where they are today!
