Chapter 601
For Suzanne, this was a matter of earth-shattering importance.
Yet in Tristan’s eyes, it was merely a harmless little mistake, something he could easily turn a blind eye to.
Suzanne stared at him for a long time. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, but she couldn’t utter a single word.
There was only profound disappointment.
Rex opened his mouth to speak, but Laurel placed a hand on his arm, silently stopping him.
Laurel smiled faintly, a trace of sarcasm in her voice. “Since you’ve already made your stance clear, what more is there to say?”
Any further argument was pointless.
She should have known better than to expect Tristan to offer any real accountability. Fortunately, she had never truly relied on this father of hers from the very beginning.
Maya, assuming this was just like every other time where her siblings were powerless against her, took the opportunity to ask Tristan, “By the way, Dad… can I go to the Winter Charity Gala tonight?”
“Of course you can.”
This time, Laurel agreed even faster than Tristan did. “If we don’t let you go, wouldn’t your father just slap Rex across the face again?”
Tristan felt a wave of helplessness. His usually composed and respectful eldest daughter was throwing out remarks that made him lose face. “Alright. If you really don’t want Maya to go, she can stay home.”
There was no way Maya would agree to that. Just as she was about to protest, Laurel scoffed. “She can go if she wants. It has nothing to do with me.”
In Maya’s eyes, this was a clear admission of defeat. She secretly reveled in her triumph.
Thinking of Marcia on the other side of the wall, Maya probed carefully, “Then… what do you plan to do with Marcia?”
If they pushed Marcia too far, Maya feared she might bite back. If there was a chance to help her, Maya didn’t mind putting in a good word.
Jesse replied coldly, “That’s none of your concern.”
Meanwhile, the Atwater family estate was bustling with activity.
As the groom’s side, they naturally had to show absolute sincerity in their proposal arrangements.
Especially since the other party was the Wilkinson family!
Once this marriage was finalized, the Atwater family’s status would skyrocket, forcing many more people to fall in line behind them.
Carmela was practically overflowing with enthusiasm, personally managing the registry and checking off the extravagant gifts one by one.
All told, the total value started in the tens of millions of dollars and was quickly approaching the hundreds of millions.
Carmela winced slightly at the cost, but when she remembered that they were marrying the youngest
Wilkinson daughter-who was also
carrying her biological
won
grandson she felt every penny was worth it.
Frank temporarily returned to the manor to grab something, only to walk into this chaotic scene.
Seeing him, Carmela assumed he had finally come around. She hurried over. “Take a look. Is there anything else we should add?”
The Atwater family’s wealth was vast enough that they could easily add more; it all depended on their willingness to spend.
Frank cast a cold glance over the courtyard filled with vibrant red gift boxes. “Whatever makes you happy.”
His wishes clearly didn’t matter anyway.
And he had no intention of ever granting Carmela’s wishes again.
Missing the underlying bitterness in his tone, Carmela smiled. “That works too. Usually, the elders handle these sorts of things anyway.”
“Yeah.”
Frank gave a dismissive hum, strode through the front doors, and headed straight for the collection room. He pulled out the pair of bracelets Old Mrs. Atwater had previously wanted to give Elissa.
When he came back downstairs, Carmela noticed his hurried expressian and couldnt help but ask, “Are you going out again? Aren’t you coming with me to the Gala tonight?”
Frank’s expression tightened. He gripped the jewelry box in his hand and said flatly, “No.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, his assistant stepped out of the waiting
Maybach, hurried over to Frank, and whispered something in his ear.
Frank froze. “Why is he here?”
“I’m not sure.”
The assistant shook his head. “The office just called. Mr. Murphy didn’t say anything
other than that he needs to see you.”
“They didn’t dare stop him. He’s already waiting in your office right now.”
“Understood.”
Frank completely ignored Carmela, quickening his pace to get into the car. “Let’s
go.”
The assistant hesitated. “Are we going to the company, or…?”
“The company.”
Having been friends for so many years, Frank understood Rowan well enough. “If I don’t show up at the office, his suspicions will only grow.”
“Right away.”
Thinking of something, a faint glint flashed in Frank’s eyes. “How are the arrangements at Bayview Docks coming along?”