Chapter 952
Chapter 952:
Maggie let out another sigh, this one heavier. “A nice young man wanted to meet her, but she turned it down without even giving him a chance p>
Austin couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Ellen—karma had arrived faster than expected.
Not too long ago, Maggie had been orchestrating blind dates for him, and Ellen had found it endlessly amusing. Now, the tables had turned.
“Mom,” Austin began, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Ellen’s still young. Why are you already setting her up with blind dates? She’s plenty charming on her own. Doesn’t really need a matchmaker to find a good guy,” Austin said.
After all, he wasn’t exactly lacking in appeal either—so why had he been treated like something to be offloaded to the highest bidder?
Maggie, though, was persistent.
“Come on, Austin. He’s a fantastic young man. I didn’t want her to miss out. Look at his picture. Besides, you know how Ellen is. Most men wouldn’t be able to handle her p>
Austin didn’t even glance at the phone she held out. “It doesn’t matter how handsome he is. You should at least get to know who he is before making any judgments. You used to like Monica, didn’t you?” He paused, the words hanging in the air, his silence speaking volumes. Maggie’s mouth snapped shut.
With a nervous laugh, Maggie conceded. Everyone had their moments of misjudgment—who could have known that Monica was so skilled at wearing masks?
Still, Austin’s words struck a chord. Perhaps waiting a bit longer was the better choice.
Meanwhile, Johan sat in his home, eyes fixed anxiously on his mother’s phone, as if willing it to ring by sheer force of will.
Nicola Barker observed her son with a touch of amusement. She knew her son well—proud, reserved, and rarely moved by most women. Yet for the first time, Johan seemed genuinely taken with a girl.
When Johan had shared Ellen’s family background, Nicola had been pleasantly surprised.
The Barton family held a revered place not only in Kheley but throughout the country—this was a match of notable prestige.
Of course, the Barker family wasn’t lacking in stature either. In Kheley’s business circles, they stood shoulder to shoulder with the Bartons. Should these two families unite, it would be a formidable power union.
Johan’s parents were delighted at the prospect.
Nicola couldn’t fathom why her son seemed so restless. She thought he was simply being impulsive, as usual. Who could have anticipated that Johan would sit by the phone, waiting with such intensity? Anyone who didn’t know better might have assumed he was on the edge of a life-changing deal, worth millions.
“Mom, is your phone broken?” Johan asked abruptly.
Nicola blinked in confusion. Her phone was in perfect working condition. When had it ever been broken?
“Impossible. My phone is brand new. It cost me a fortune, and the salesman assured me it’s got the highest specs. It can’t be broken already,” she replied.
Johan, frowning with concern, shook his head. “That can’t be. If it’s not broken, why hasn’t it rung even once p>
Nicola stared at him, perplexed. A wave of curiosity washed over her, and she couldn’t resist asking, “Do you really like Miss Barton that much? You just got back to the country. How on earth did you even meet her p>
At the mention of “Ellen,” Johan’s face flushed, just a hint of pink creeping up his cheeks.