Chapter 9
1109 Words
Liam clenched his jaw, absorbing the tension in the room. Was this the sister he planned to replace Olivia with? She was nothing like Olivia or Mr. Parker, if anything, she had taken her mother's look.
While Olivia was in the bathroom, he had gone through her profile briefly.
Ashley Parker. Her page was filled with a lavish lifestyle, one that made Liam question if Mr. Parker ever loved Olivia more than Ashley. Or he had been forced to act that way because Olivia was a product of his legal marriage while Ashley was from a secret affair.
It was starting to make sense to him why Olivia had gotten upset at the sound of her sister. They hated each other.
Mr. Parker took a deep breath, attempting to regain control of the situation. "Mr. Carter, I understand the gravity of the situation, and I apologize for the current situation.
Mr. Parker adjusts on his seat leaning forward, "I assure you that we can find a way to rectify this misunderstanding. As for Ashley's words, she didn't mean to offend you. She is just making a sincere attempt to salvage our families' reputations."
"I am not interested in your proposals. I want a public apology, and I want this mess cleared up immediately," Mr. Carter asserted firmly.
Mr. Parker hesitated, realizing the severity of the consequences. It was too late to find another family who would be willing to align over an arranged marriage.
Mr. Parker nodded his head leaning back into his seat, "Very well, I will address the public and clarify the situation."
Mr. Carter nodded, his stern expression unwavering. "See that you do. I won't tolerate any further damage to my family's name."
The room suddenly fell into an uneasy silence as the weight of the situation hung in the air. Olivia glanced at Liam, who remained stoic beside her, his emotions masked.
"You do know that Alex here is related to the family?" Mr. Carter asked.
"Alex?" Mr. Parker raised an eyebrow with a puzzled look not knowing who Mr. Carter was referring to.
"The young man your daughter is planning to get married to," Mr. Carter said pointing at Liam.
"Oh really?" Mr. Parker chuckled. He didn't know that, maybe it wasn't a bad idea to pair Olivia and him together. He had thought to disown her for being an ungrateful child but maybe she would come in handy after all.
"Extended family but he is a part of my family no doubt," Mr. Carter continued.
"I see, I had no idea," Mr Parker, "You did say this young man here is your son so I assumed he Liam for a moment but I wasn't certain."
Mr. Parker stated staring at the young man sitting next to Mr. Carter who doesn't look like he wanted to be here.
"This is Aero, my second son. He was also in the shadows like Liam," Mr. Carter introduced.
"Ah, I see," Mr. Parker smiled. "Well you are highly welcome Aero." He said but Aero just stared at him blankly without a word.
Mr. Parker chuckled trying to hide the anger he felt by Aero's silence.
Mr Carter checked his wrist watch furrowing his brow as he stood up on his feet alongside Aero, "We have an important meeting to attend to, and I hope you will not be reaching out to me regarding this nonsense."
Mr. Carter stared at Liam, "Let's discuss outside," he said as Liam nodded getting on his feet. He follows Mr. Carter outside alongside Aero leaving Olivia behind with Mr. Parker and Ashley.
Mr. Parker exhaled running his hand through his hair, anger etched on his face, "That old bastard, who does he think he is talking to me like that and demanding a damn public apology," he cursed under his breathe.
"Dad relax, he is just pissed," Ashley said in a low voice looking at her father with a worried look.
Mr. Parker paced around slowly before facing Olivia and pointing his finger at her, "This is all your damn fault, if you had just gone ahead with the f*****g wedding but instead you chose to runaway like some stupid bitch."
Olivia remained quiet, her hands intertwined nervously on her laps as she avoid her father gaze.
"That Alex guy, Mr. Carter said he is related to him so tell me, who is he? A cousin? A nephew? What the f**k is he?"
Olivia frowned at his question, she was also just as surprised as her father to hear that Alex was in a way related to the Carter's. Alex had told her they were just family friends.
"Speak up you stupid b***h," Mr. Parker gritted his teeth irritated by her silence.
"I-I don't know," Olivia stuttered.
"You are joking right?" Ashley chuckled shaking her head in disbelief. "You were planning to marry a man and you don't even know who he is."
"I always gave you credit for how intelligent you were but you are starting to act dummer each day Olivia," her father cried out frustrated.
He sat down back on his seat taking a deep breathe, "You will need to find out his relationship with Mr. Carter, if they are close enough maybe you can convince him to get Ashley to marry his first son Liam."
"Dad on the other hand, I think his second son would be better," Ashley smiled. "Liam is like a shadow, no one has seen him before. It's why Mr. Carter prides himself on his reputation when it comes to Liam."
"What are you insinuating?" Mr. Parker raised a brow at his daughter.
"Just let me handle the situation, I will get Aero Carter. It doesn't matter which son right?" Ashley smiled.
"Yes, it doesn't actually," Mr. Parker said suddenly understanding his daughters point. "But that doesn't mean you still shouldn't find out who Alex is, he might be useful to us."
"I don't want to be a part of this," Olivia finally spoke up rising to her feet.
"Well listen here you ungrateful child," Mr. Parker stood up closing the distance between them and grabbing her by the hair as Olivia winced in pain.
Her purse falling off her hand to the ground, he yanked her hair backward so he could stare into her eyes.
"Do you think I care what you think right now? You have caused me enough troubles so you will do as you are told or I will have my men lock you up."
Olivia suddenly shivers under his grip, her eyes watering with tears at his warning.
"Let go of her," Liam barked stepping into the living room.
- Writer
