Chapter 264 Jarod, You Really Love Your Sister, Huh?
Elder Lawrence shook his head in disagreement, "I’d be even more worried if you went home alone, so just stay over tonight. If that rascal doesn't come over, you can sleep with Amber. At the very least, you'll have someone to look after you."
"Okay, then I'll tell him later," Isabella reluctantly agreed, not wanting to disappoint Elder Lawrence’s kind intentions.
"Fantastic!" Amber grinned with joy, "Let's go to your brother's room so you can tidy up a bit, and then I'll get you a set of pajamas. We can talk a bit after dinner before sleeping."
Isabella smiled slightly and agreed, following Amber back upstairs. Engrossed in their conversation, she forgot to inform Sebastian of her stay.
She practically left her phone untouched during the entire afternoon, completely unaware of the frantic search happening outside. The entire city was flipped upside down looking for her.
Elder Lawrence watched the two young women go upstairs, arm-in-arm, his face beaming with a kind smile, "If Jarod hadn't told me about what happened in Y city, I wouldn't have known the hardships she faced. She's truly a fitting wife for our family; pure of heart, devoted to Sebastian, and not filled with any nonsense."
The butler nodded with a smile, "You’re quite lucky, Sir."
"Ah, you with your silver tongue, sweet-talking me even in your old age. But I have to say, I do like to hear it," Elder Lawrence chuckled heartily. "After we settle things for Sebastian, Jarod’s next. I refuse to believe that time and proximity won't do their work; a fine young woman is bound to get his attention."
Growing more convinced by his own arguments, he continued, "That's the plan, then. Starting tomorrow, I'll start looking for suitable ladies for him."
The butler stood beside Elder Lawrence, sharing a laugh. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sebastian rushing toward the house. He promptly called out, "Young Master Sebastian, you’ve arrived?"
Sebastian strode into the house, his brow furrowed in concern. "Grandpa, where's Isabella?"
For a moment, Elder Lawrence was taken aback.
He was about to ask the butler to make a phone call but was interrupted; he didn’t call yet, so how did Sebastian come so early?
"She's upstairs in your old room. What happened to your forehead?" he noticed the cut on Sebastian's forehead, his expression darkening with worry. "Did something happen? Speak up."
Sebastian discovered that Isabella was here, but he couldn't quell his restless heart. Only when he heard Elder Lawrence's answer did he feel slightly relieved.
"It's nothing," he replied briefly before hastening upstairs.
Elder Lawrence huffed, "Just was is the problem now!"
The butler quickly comforted him. Elder Lawrence decided not to follow upstairs, choosing instead to go for a walk outside.
Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Sebastian met Jarod around the corner.
Peter was there, pushing Jarod’s wheelchair. It was unclear how long he had been waiting there.
Sebastian was unaffected, continuing forward.
Peter greeted, "Long time no see, Sebastian."
Sebastian let out a sound in acknowledgment.
Stopping beside Jarod, he tapped his index finger on the wheelchair as he calmly warned, “Jarod, let’s not drag women into our quarrels. We all share the same bloodline here, so don’t stoop to such shady tactics.”
"How boring," Sebastian bluntly said, his tone indifferent yet disdainful. "Instead of scheming against women, you should improve yourself. Your current state is really not worth watching."
Peter's face darkened, his anger rising as he couldn't accept Sebastian insults.
He sharply retorted, “If we really wanted to use dirty tricks, do you think we'd have waited until today? What, you think you’re the only one who knows the secrets in your marriage?”
Sebastian stopped in his tracks, his expression swiftly changing.
Jarod spoke up, "Sebastian, I only tested you today, but the results were very exposing. It seems you hold Isabella in a much higher place in your heart than I had imagined."
"A test?" he questioned.
"I do admit it; taking advantage of women isn’t so good. But right now, I lack certain advantages and must work extra hard to compete with you. There's no need for your sarcasm, since I couldn't care less. Perhaps, you should be more concerned about your crumbling households; when that time comes, will you still have the leisure to deal with me then?" Jarod’s gaze was downcast, calm just like Sebastian.
They were brothers indeed.
But this time, there was a hint of calculation in Jarod's eyes.
Sebastian's eyes were icy as he grasped the deeper meaning the man’s words.
He didn’t expect Jarod to discover the secret he had been hiding from Isabella for so long.
His older brother... Was no ordinary man.
Sebastian felt heavy pressure in his chest, thinking of the potential consequences if things were set in motion.
However, his face revealed nothing as he lightly chuckled, "Has my esteemed brother really stooped to meddling in other people's family affairs and creating rifts between a young couple?"
Peter was so frustrated that his scalp was itchy— this damn Sebastian, always hitting people where it hurt.
With one hand in his pocket and his shoulders broad with perfect posture, Sebastian exuded arrogance and privilege from just his figure. "To me, Isabella is indeed very important. If you want to target her, go ahead. If she loses even a strand of hair while under my care, I'll consider it a loss."
"Oh, and by the way," he continued with deliberate slowness, unbuttoning his cufflinks, "Instead of worrying about my household crumbling, maybe you should be more concerned about yours; considering your filthy heart and how supposedly lovesick you are. It's a pity, though, since your infatuation won't last long. You've heard it as well, no? I’m quite interested in what kind of new sister-in-law Grandpa will choose."
Peter looked down at Jarod, all the dots connecting in his mind.
Prior to this, Jarod had continued the conversation in two directions with two clear objectives in mind—
One was to make Sebastian realize he should keep hiding his secret from Isabella.
The second was to leverage his wrath, so that he’d disrupt Elder Lawrence’s arranged marriage plans.
Logically, after hearing those statements, Sebastian would never let Jarod’s arranged marriage go through. He’d intervene and stop Jarod’s power from growing.
However, he didn’t do that.
He saw through Jarod’s intentions, and it was quite clear that he planned to actively facilitate Jarod’s marriage.
Peter had to admit that Sebastian was indeed domineering and extremely confident– to the point that it was downright annoying.
The two brothers were no pushovers; each was smarter, more formidable, and more cunning than the next. Both of them had a knack for scheming!
After Sebastian left, Peter turned to Jarod and said, "Ever heard the phrase 'shooting yourself in the foot'? That's you right now."
Hearing this, Jarod slightly furrowed his brow. He rested his fingertip against the center of his forehead, his tone still gentle, "The situation escalated quickly. My little brother has been a lone wolf for such a long time, and I've helped him as much as I could. Push me into the house; let's think of how we can get out of this impending marriage."
Frustrated with Jarod's pampering, Peter blurted out, "Do you have a brother complex, or what? This is insane! Things have gone to this extent, but you’re still covering for him."
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