Chapter 15
Harrison froze for a moment, then grew excited.
“You found Scarlett?”
But Matthew shook his head. “Of course not. I already asked around. Scarlett’s project is a top- level classified initiative. She’s completely cut off from the outside world. No one can reach
her.”
Harrison’s hands dropped to his sides in defeat.
Matthew, however, remained pleased. “But it doesn’t matter if we can’t find Scarlett. I found her cousin, Hailey Yeager. She’s also a Yeager, so she can marry you in Scarlett’s place.
“That way, the alliance with the Yeagers remains intact! I’ve already spoken to her, and she agreed. This way, we won’t become a laughingstock in Dornwich!”
“No!”
Harrison’s expression darkened. “I was engaged to Scarlett. How can you just replace her? Aren’t you worried that when she finds out, she’ll get angry and cut ties with our family?”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Matthew frowned. “Scarlett left for a long–term project. She clearly wanted to break off the engagement. She’s completely given up on you. Why would she care who you marry now?
“Not only that, but she won’t be back for at least a decade. She already entrusted her company to her managers. She’s not going to suddenly interfere.
“Anyway, all the concerns you mentioned at the wedding no longer exist. The only thing we need to avoid is making it look like we were the ones who backed out.
“The best way to do that is to marry another Yeager. That way, everyone will see our family as honorable and committed to our word. Everything is settled, Harry. What are you still worried. about?”
Harrison clenched his fists. His expression stiffened.
Logically, he knew Matthew was right. Everything was resolved. All he had to do was marry Hailey
He had never loved Scarlett. Whether he married her or Hailey, it made no difference.
Then, why did he feel such a deep resistance to the idea? Why did his chest ache, as if something had been ripped out of him?
“I can’t marry Hailey.” He couldn’t make sense of his feelings. All he could do was repeat the words mechanically, “I just can’t.”
yoll
Matthew was about to lose his temper, ut before he could erupt, Ella, who had been silent all this time, stepped forward and placed a band on his arm.
She lifted her gaze to Harrison. “Harry, at this point, it doesn’t matter who you marry–Hailey or even Hazel. We’ll accept it. But I need to ask you something.”
She looked directly into his eyes. “Are you insisting on marrying Scarlett purely because of duty and business, or is it because you love her?”
“Of course, it’s because…” Harrison blurted out a response, but the words caught in his throat.
Because if it were truly about duty and business, he should have already let go.
Ella sighed softly, as if she had seen right through him. “Harry, Scarlett is gone. Are you still going to lie to yourself? Do you really not love her, or do you just not dare to admit that you do?”
Harrison had no idea how he left the Steele residence.
Ella’s words echoed in his head, “Do you really not love her, or do you just not dare to admit
that
you do?”
Harrison clenched his fists tightly
No. There was no way he loved Scarlett. He loved Hazel.
The moment that thought crossed his mind, he knew he had to find Hazel.
Too many things had happened all at once. That had to be why he felt so unsettled. As soon as he saw Hazel, he’d remember whom he truly loved.
With that thought, he asked Patrick and found out that Hazel was at a club with her friends. Without hesitation, he headed straight there.
But just as he reached the door of the private room and was about to push the door open, overheard Hazel’s friend speaking.
he
Wore up
“Hazel, you and down that you’d bag your Uncle Harry and marry into the Steele family. So? Did you pull it off or not?”
