Mr. Guzinan snapped, then yanked Arla by the ear and dragged her in front of Mrs. Guzman Take her home. Now.
He shot Mrs. Guzman a look, and she immediately grabbed Aria by the arm. “You’re coming with me. We’re going to have a little chat.”
The two of them struggled, but neither moved an inch from where they stood.
At this point, they had already given enough of a performance to smooth things over. And naturally, Edward took the cue to step in.
He stroked his beard and said, “Let’s just let this go. Young people squabble–no need to let it ruin the relationship between two families.”
Then he turned to Mr. Guzman. “You’ve managed Harthville’s Chamber of Commerce for years now. That’s no small job. But now that you’re getting older, maybe it’s time to focus more on your family. Especially on your daughter’s upbringing.”
There was an edge to his words. Mr. Guzman’s expression changed immediately.
Lowering his head slightly, he replied, “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Ford Senior. But I still believe in contributing to Harthville’s growth. Besides, I’m only 50–not exactly time to retire just yet.”
Edward chuckled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. He didn’t reply.
“Take your daughter home for now. Alicia only suffered some superficial injuries. Have her apologize at a later time, and that’ll be the end of it.”
Mr. Guzman nodded quickly. He knew exactly what Edward was implying. If Mr. Guzman wanted to keep his position, he had better keep Alicia happy.
He bowed his head, nodded again, then smacked Aria lightly on the back of the head. “Well? Apologize to Ms. Zimmer!”
“I won’t!” Aria snapped.
“She knows she was wrong!” Mrs. Guzman quickly stepped in, forcing Aria’s head down and pushing her into a half–bow. “We apologize for the trouble.”
Edward made a show of turning to Alicia. “Alicia, you should apologize as well. And make sure your friends don’t run their mouths like that again.”
“I understand…” Alicia said serenely, bowing slightly toward Aria. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
Her tone was sweet, but her eyes were gleaming with smug satisfaction. With Fard backing her, no one dared to call her out.
Even Mr. and Mrs. Guzman could only swallow ( ir pride
Alicia might’ve looked graceful, but she still gave me a cold glare.
Of course. I had pushed Aria to tell the truth. I’d suggested pulling surveillance footage Anyone with half a brain could see I was the one pulling apart Alicia’s carefully constructed image.
No wonder she hated me right now–her well–maintained act had cracked, and I’d been the one to peel it open..
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be taking Aria home,” Mrs. Guzman said quickly, dragging Aria out with her.
Aria was still fuming, yelling the whole way out.
And just like that, the ridiculous mess came to a barely passable end.
Then,
Edward turned to me, his expression darkening. “You–come with me.”
I blinked, confused. “Me?”
“Who else?” he said, frowning. After a pause, he added, “I have something to say to you.‘
I stared at him. “Then say it here.”
Edward looked at me, shocked. “Did you just defy me?”
Was that defiance? Seriously?
This man had clearly been sitting on his high horse for far too long.
Maybe it was because of Jonathan–his powerful, obedient golden grandson–that he was so used to everyone treating him like royalty. Even the sons and daughters of Harthville’s top families fawned over him.
So, the idea that someone like me—his granddaughter–in–law–would speak to him like an equal?
Unthinkable.
