Chapter5 Unbowed by His Force

Chapter5 Unbowed by His Force

These calm words exploded like a bomb in the room.

"What nonsense!" Richard jumped up, furious. "Amanda, your parents made this deal, not you! The marriage is set—no backing out now. Using such a lame excuse? How ridiculous can you get?"

Harold's face darkened with each word I spoke. I could see the veins pulsing at his temples, his lips pressed into a thin line of rage.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Harold spat, slamming his fist on the table. The teacups rattled violently. "You invited me here to discuss marriage, knowing full well your daughter was already married?"

"This must be some kind of mistake—" Richard stammered, shooting me a venomous glare.

"She's talking nonsense. It's impossible!" he insisted.

I squared my shoulders and met his gaze directly. "Let me emphasize this one more time. I am legally married. You can verify it if you wish. Stop wasting everyone's time here."

"You dare to play me?" Harold's voice trembled with fury. "For the first time in my life, I've been made a complete fool." He snatched his bank card from the table, knocking over his tea in the process. "This is infuriating! You'll regret this. Mark my words—you'll face consequences."

"Mr. Wilson, please," Richard pleaded, desperation leaking into his voice. "This marriage isn't real—"

Just as my father finished speaking, a magnetic voice cut through the tension from the doorway.

"What exactly are you planning to do with my wife?"

Ethan Blackwood strode into the room with casual confidence. Today he wore a tailored gray suit that accentuated his tall, athletic frame. Combined with his handsome features, he commanded everyone's attention the moment he entered.

My heart skipped a beat. Why was Ethan here?

I jumped to my feet and rushed over to him, whispering urgently, "What are you doing here?"

Ethan wrapped his arm possessively around my waist, his eyebrow arched as he surveyed everyone in the room with scrutiny. "We just got married. I should accompany you to visit your family, shouldn't I? What's wrong? You don't want me here?"

My cheeks flushed. It wasn't that I didn't want him here—given the current situation, Ethan coming here was basically walking into a lion's den.

What could he, supposedly just a model without power or influence, do against Harold Wilson?

I tugged at his arm, whispering, "You should go. This situation is complicated. I can't explain everything in a few sentences."

This was my family's mess. I didn't want to drag Ethan into it.

But Ethan stubbornly refused to let go of me. "You're my wife. Your problems are my problems."

This statement infuriated Harold. He'd been quite satisfied with me in all aspects, but this unexpected intruder made him feel disrespected. His temper flared, and he slammed his hand on the table hard.

The loud bang echoed through the room. My father, Richard, was clearly embarrassed and repeatedly apologized to Harold: "Mr. Wilson, it's not what it looks like. This is just her trick. Don't believe it."

The Davis family was counting on Harold's investment. If they angered him, Davis Industries would surely collapse!

Harold stood up from the sofa, his piercing gaze sweeping over me before settling on Ethan.

Ethan had a natural air of nobility about him. One glance and you could tell he was either wealthy or from a prestigious background.

However, Harold had some standing in LA and had met most people of importance. After giving Ethan a once-over and determining he didn't recognize him, Harold's attitude grew even more arrogant.

"Richard Davis! I'm not desperate for a wife! Don't humiliate me like this! If you don't want your daughter to marry me, just say so. There's no need to find some pretty boy to save face!"

My father's expression turned ugly. He hadn't expected me to use such tactics.

He hurried to Ethan's side, but being shorter made him look less intimidating. "Who are you? What are you doing in my house?!"

Ethan remained unfazed, pulling me closer to him. "Paying a visit to my in-laws, of course."

"Nonsense! Amanda is my daughter and still single! Where did you come from, making such claims about my daughter's virtue?" Richard exploded with rage, suddenly playing the role of a concerned father.

Ethan wasn't intimidated by my father's outburst. He simply gave Harold a cool glance.

"This gentleman must be in his forties or fifties, right? Old enough to be Amanda's father. You two are getting married?"

Harold's face turned crimson with anger. He shot a vicious look at Richard, speaking through gritted teeth: "Richard Davis, your family problems! Don't expect any help from me anymore!"

With that, he stormed out.

Richard tried to call after Harold, but Harold was too angry to even acknowledge him as he strode away.

What should have been a smooth negotiation had devolved into chaos because of this man's arrival. Richard nearly fainted from anger, glaring at Ethan and pointing his finger. "You... you..."

He couldn't even form a complete sentence.

Just then, Elizabeth arrived at the perfect moment, patting Richard's back while using a reproachful tone: "Amanda, even if you're unwilling, you shouldn't upset your father like this. Your father arranging your marriage to Harold is for the good of the Davis family!"

They always used such high-sounding reasons to do despicable things. I found their hypocrisy disgusting.

Richard caught his breath and glared at us. "Amanda Davis! How dare you pull this stunt to dodge your marriage! Let me be clear - you WILL marry Harold, or I won't lift a finger for your grandfather!"

Seeing he'd hit a nerve with the grandfather comment, his tone softened. "Tomorrow, I'll bring some gifts, and you'll come apologize to the Wilsons with me. Mr. Wilson will forgive you."

Elizabeth jumped in before I could respond: "Listen Amanda, no one knows about this mess yet. The family's barely staying afloat. Your father made this arrangement because he had to. Instead of understanding that, you bring home some random guy just to upset him?"

I coldly observed them both. Using my grandfather to threaten me repeatedly was truly despicable!

Sensing my anger, Ethan pulled me closer. His dark eyes curved slightly as if smiling, though the smile never reached his eyes.

"I'm sorry, but Amanda and I are already married. We eloped last weekend."

"What do you mean?" Richard clearly didn't believe it.

Ethan pulled out his phone and showed them the digital copy of our marriage documents. "If you don't believe me, you can verify with the county clerk's office. I have their number right here."

Richard looked at the photos in disbelief. Since I was financially independent and legally an adult, I didn't need anyone's permission to get married.

Seeing this, Richard's vision started to blur.

Madison came downstairs and, noticing the tense atmosphere, curiously approached. "Dad, Mom, what's going on?"

As she looked up, her eyes landed on Ethan and she froze. His cold, perfect features could've been chiseled from stone. In that gray suit, he looked better than any movie star.

"Madison, your sister found herself some pretty boy to marry. She's trying to give your father a heart attack," Elizabeth snapped, jabbing a finger at me.

Madison turned to me, instantly switching to her fragile victim act. "Sister, how could you? You promised yesterday! And Grandpa's still in the hospital. If we go broke, who's paying his medical bills?"

That was all Richard needed to hear. "Amanda Davis," he barked, "get this marriage annulled now. Tomorrow you're coming with me to apologize to the Wilsons! Otherwise, start planning your grandfather's funeral!"