Chapter 530
Mrs. Walters found herself completely trapped.
She wasn’t stupid; she could clearly hear Carmela’s seething hatred for Elissa.
But Elissa wasn’t someone she could afford to cross either. More importantly, Elissa’s connection to the Murphy family was undeniable.
Saying the wrong thing now could lead to catastrophic consequences later.
Thankfully, just as she was frantically trying to think of a diplomatic response that wouldn’t offend either side, a sharp, imposing voice rang out from the entryway. The tone was laced with dark amusement, yet it felt bone-chillingly cold.
“If someone with your manners could marry into the Atwater family, it’ll be a breeze for someone as exceptional as Elissa to join the Murphy family.”
*Gasp!*
The socialites often maintained their friendships strictly for business benefits. Beneath the surface, almost all of them harbored some level of resentment toward Carmela’s arrogance, but they tolerated it because her son managed the thriving Atwater Group.
No matter how annoyed they were, they had to keep their mouths shut.
But hearing someone brutally put her in her place was so satisfying that a few of them nearly laughed out loud!
Who had the absolute nerve to say what everyone was thinking?
Elissa turned toward the door and saw Rowan standing a few steps away in a crisp, midnight-blue suit. Displeasure was clearly etched into his sharp features as he gestured for her to come over. When he spoke to her, his tone softened
considerably. “Come on, let’s go home. The threshold of the Atwater family is clearly far too high for us. Let’s not come back.”
Everyone in the room instantly understood the threat.
The Murphy Group was cutting all ties with the Atwater Group!
Carmela’s face cycled through a spectrum of colors. Being publicly humiliated in
front of her inner circle ignited a blinding rage within her.
Completely forgetting the years of alliance between the Murphy and Atwater families, and entirely disregarding their massive joint business ventures, she shrieked, “Rowan Murphy, I am still your elder! Just because you’ve got some power now doesn’t give you the right to speak to me like that!”
“Besides, I didn’t say anything wrong! Matriarch Paige Murphy will never allow you to marry Elissa. Instead of standing here mocking me, you should be begging your grandmother for mercy!”
Her face was flushed crimson as she desperately tried to maintain her aristocratic superiority.
Frank had heard the commotion from upstairs. He hadn’t expected his mother to return so early. He hurried down the stairs, only to freeze mid-step when he heard her final demand.
He desperately wanted to hear how Rowan would answer.
He knew that while Rowan acted like he didn’t care about anything, he was fiercely protective of his own blood.
No matter how toxic his relationship with Matriarch Paige Murphy was, she was still his grandmother. Frank refused to believe Rowan would completely disregard his grandmother’s wishes for Elissa.
If Rowan hesitated, Elissa would finally see the reality of her situation and save
herself from a devastating heartbreak.
But Rowan simply sneered. Slipping
an arm around Elissa’s waist, he tossed the issue back with
devastating precision you’remet
venet
completely mistaken. This tras
nothing to do with whether Ior the Murphy family want to marry her. It is solely about whether Elissa is willing to marry me!”
Mrs. Walters exhaled a massive sigh of relief.
Thank God! Thank God she hadn’t insulted Elissa just to appease Carmela.
She had been completely right. Rowan Murphy looked at Elissa like she was the only woman in the world.
But she couldn’t help but marvel at the reality of it: a man known for his utter ruthlessness possessed a devotion so profound and absolute once he claimed
someone.
It was the kind of devotion that made people burn with envy.
Carmela’s face went completely rigid. “Do you seriously not care what your grandmother thinks? She’s elderly. Her heart can’t take this kind of stress. What if she dies from the shock…”
Rowan stared at her dead-on. “Then we’ll throw the biggest funeral this city has ever seen.”
“What?”
Carmela didn’t register the words at first. The moment she asked, the horrific reality of his statement hit her.
He was completely unhinged!
He was literally saying that if the old woman dropped dead, he would throw a massive celebration under the guise of a funeral!
Elissa discreetly pinched Rowan’s waist, silently warning him not to take it too far.
Earning a reputation as an unfilial monster wouldn’t do his corporate image any favors.
Rowan’s hand slid slowly from her shoulder down to her waist, pulling her flush against his side before he delivered his final, earth-shattering blow.My father and I share absolutely no blond relation with Paige Jensen. The fact that I’d even host a funeral for her is something you should all be praising me for.”