Chapter 6
Dad had just closed an eight–figure deal and arrived right on cue, jumping in smoothly:[]
“Absolutely. A woman of my daughter’s caliber deserves nothing less than exceptional.“[]
“Those three? I took them in because they were orphans who needed a break. This ‘raised as future husbands‘ rumor is complete nonsense!“]
Despite Dad’s confident tone, the guests exchanged skeptical glances.]
Several of Dad’s golfing buddies spoke up:
“Look, Hextor’s resume is impressive, but after that accident…“[]
“Let’s be real. The guy’s paralyzed from the waist down and can’t perform. Your daughter marries him, there’s no kids–who inherits when you’re gone?“]]
“We all agree a woman can’t handle Montclair Industries solo, but couldn’t you at least find her a guy who works below the belt?”
Hextor might be DC royalty on paper, but reality check: he was damaged goods. Everyone knew his family empire would eventually land in someone else’s lap.
So why not mine?
When Jasper had said those cutting words earlier, it hit me: even as the sole Montclair heir, nobody actually believed the company would end up in my hands.
If that was the game, I’d choose a powerful ally who physically couldn’t steal my birthright.
Jasper was busy playing hero for the “traumatized” Doria when his phone lit up. His expression soured as he read:[]
[GET BACK HERE NOW! Charlotte just announced her fiancé! You’re gonna regret missing this!]]]
Griffin and Finn got similar texts from their party connections.
Jasper’s first instinct was to ignore it, but something nagged at him. Why would he regret it?
Had Charlotte picked Griffin or Finn instead?]
After eyeing them suspiciously, Jasper finally texted: [Who’d she pick?]
When the photo came through, his face went slack with shock.]
Griffin and Finn reacted in unison: “No fucking way!”
“Charlotte picked that paralyzed rich boy?”
e!”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me!”
Doria, still playing damsel in Jasper’s arms, couldn’t hide a flash of triumph before switching back to victim mode:
“Maybe she’s just trying to make you jealous? You all left her party because of me–she must be furious.”
“Maybe you should go back. I’ll be okay alone.”
She dabbed at perfectly timed tears, instantly melting their resolve.
Griffin, always shooting from the hip, scoffed: “Charlotte loves her mind games. I’ll believe she’ll marry that half–dead trust fund baby when I see it. Ten bucks says she’ll be crying at our door before the wedding, begging one of us to save her.”
Jasper relaxed at this.
Right. Charlotte had followed him around like a lost puppy for years. No way she’d marry a paralyzed guy just because he ditched one birthday party.[]
Doria kept watching Jasper’s face. Seeing his wheels turning, jealousy flashed in her eyes.[]
“It’s all my fault,” she whimpered. “Even though she tried to have me attacked, I shouldn’t have crashed her party.“[]
“What if she gets Daddy to cut off your trust funds? What then?” she sobbed. “I can’t be the reason your lives fall apart.“[]
Their faces darkened simultaneously.[]
Nothing pissed them off more than reminders of their financial dependence.[]
All 3–Childhood Grooms Beg Me Back After I Chose Washington’s Crown Tycoon
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Chapter 6
Griffin’s jaw tightened. “I’ve got two hands and a brain. I don’t need their handouts.“[]
Jasper stroked Doria’s hair reassuringly
“Don’t sweat it. Charlotte can’t handle Montclair Industries alone. She’ll be on her knees begging us to come back and run things.“[]
“Stop blaming yourself, Charlotte’s the villain here. If she hadn’t tried to hurt you, we wouldn’t have walked out and embarrassed her today.“]
They thought they’d just bruised my ego a little. They never considered what would happen next.[]
Jasper fidgeted anxiously before finally pulling out his phone to text me:[]
[You went too far today. No need to marry a useless cripple just to prove a point. If you apologize to Doria, I’ll still marry you.]]
He pictured the joy spreading across my face when I’d see his message–my knight in shining armor offering me a lifeline.[]
Instead, he watched the red exclamation mark appear instantly.
1 hadn’t just deleted him as a contact. I’d blocked his number entirely.[]
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