Chapter 761 Love at First Sight?
"Feelings develop over time, Anthony. I know you grow to like Ms. Watkins over time, so I don't mind that you don't like me now. We have plenty of time, and I believe you will eventually discover your love for me," she said.
"I didn't grow to like Jane over time," Anthony corrected.
"What is it then?"
Anthony thought briefly before speaking, "Maybe I fell for her at first sight?"
Aurora's face turned pale as if suffered a heavy blow. When Anthony corrected her, she felt quite relieved. But the words he uttered next left her in despair.
"I think I had envisioned my future with her for a long time," Anthony explained, "When I first saw Jane, I was already thinking she would be my wife."
That was Anthony’s first impression of Jane. It had nothing to do with his reasonings or external factors. His admiration for Jane merely stemmed from primal impulses and fantasies. Anthony kept reminding himself that Jane’s mother was responsible for his father’s death. But those fantasies even overwhelmed his reasoning.
"Anthony, can we discuss this tomorrow? The engagement banquet is about to begin, the guests have almost arrived, and you haven't changed your clothes yet. Let's deal with the banquet first," Aurora said, almost pleadingly.
"Aurora, I won't marry a woman I don't like," Anthony responded to her plea coldly, even furrowing his brows slightly.
Anthony was no fool. He didn't believe Aurora couldn't understand the meaning behind his previous statement. Anthony had no intention of going through with the engagement, and he knew Aurora was pretending to be oblivious.
"Aurora, I have told you long ago that I have no romantic feelings for you. I’ve also told you I won't marry you, let alone be engaged with you!" Anthony scrutinized Aurora with his gaze. "Before I went abroad, you told me you wouldn't agree to the engagement to put my mind at ease. You also promised me you would find a way to handle this arranged marriage. Is this how you handle things?"
"I..." Panic flashed across Aurora's eyes, but it was mostly filled with sadness and frustration. "Anthony, is that truly what you think of me? How could I convince your mother? You know your mother's expectation of this marriage."
Anthony knew his mother’s thoughts very well. Rather than saying Ann was impressed with Aurora, it was more accurate to say Ann wasn’t pleased with Jane. Fearing Anthony and Jane would have the chance or possibility to reconcile, she believed marrying her son to someone else would be the most direct and effective method.
"I will not pursue this matter any further!" Anthony yelled. Aurora might have looked after Ann for years, and The Dewar family might have helped The Clark family before. Even so, he decided not to pursue this matter. "I will give you two options. First, I will not attend today's engagement party. Second, you go up to the podium and tell everyone that you don’t want to marry me and are dumping me."
Aurora bit her lip anxiously and shook her head. The second option would damage her and her family’s reputation and dignity. Aurora liked Anthony and was willing to marry him. She had dreamed of marrying him and refused to give up. "Anthony, you cannot marry Jane! Are you planning to spend your life with a woman who won’t marry you? Plus, your mom will surely oppose your idea!"
"My mother may accept you as my wife, but do you think it means anything to me?" Anthony retorted. Since he refused, Ann's blessing meant nothing.
Aurora stumbled and had to lean on the wall to support herself. The silence was deafening. Aurora could only hear her breathing. She didn’t even realize Anthony had left the room for a while. She only felt heartache.
Realizing Anthony had gone, Aurora’s eyes widened. ‘He left? He doesn’t even care about my existence?’
Anthony had heard of the engagement party before. But since he didn’t want to marry Aurora, he saw no reason to attend the occasion.
‘Does he plan to embarrass me? No, that’s not possible!’ Aurora shook her head. Although Anthony was cold to her, he would still protect her image and not intentionally embarrass her and her family at the engagement party.
‘But what could it be?’ as Aurora’s mind grew restless, Jane's face gradually appeared in her mind. Aurora had always been confident and constantly told herself not to speculate about others with malicious thoughts. But, besides Jane, she couldn’t think of anyone else, or any other reason.
Aurora recalled expressing her admiration for Anthony in front of Jane. It got her wondering. ‘At that time, was Jane mocking my admiration for Anthony? Yes, I think she mocked my admiration for him!’
"Aurora!" Ann and her servants were looking everywhere for Anthony but saw Aurora standing alone in the corridor, looking heartbroken and helpless.
"Aurora, what's wrong? Are you crying? Your makeup is ruined!" Ann quickly asked someone to look for a makeup artist. Then, she looked at Aurira again. "Honey, today is your engagement day. You must look beautiful! If something has upset you, tell me. I will help you deal with it."
"Mrs. Clark…" Aurora saw Ann as if she saw a lifesaver. She burst into tears as soon as she spoke. She felt extremely wronged.
Ann held and comforted Aurora while asking her servants to look for Anthony. She told them to look for Clint instead if they couldn't find Anthony. After all, Clint was like Anthony's shadow. Even if they weren't always together, he must have known where Anthony was.
"Mrs. Clark, there's no need to look for him." Aurora cried. "I just met Anthony. He said he doesn't want to marry me and won't attend the engagement banquet."
"Has he gone crazy?" Ann angrily widened her eyes. "Why would he say that?"
As Ann spoke, she instantly thought of someone. "Why doesn't he want to marry you? Is it because of Jane? Is it because of that bitch? Did they meet?"
Aurora intended to say that Anthony didn't like her, but Ann’s constant questioning didn’t give her time to speak. Aurora only looked at her. After a while, she nodded. "Yes, Anthony did meet with Ms. Watkins."
"What's so good about that bitch?" Ann cursed. After that, she held Aurora's hand and continued, "Aurora, don't worry. You are the daughter-in-law I approve of!"
"But, Mrs. Clark, Anthony said he won't attend today's engagement party. I’ll be the only one there." Aurora smiled bitterly.
"That’s not a big deal!" Ann quickly came up with a solution. "It's just an engagement party. When Natalie and Oliver were married, Oliver didn't attend the engagement party either."
Aurora breathed a sigh of relief. "Mrs. Clark, thank you. I love Anthony with all my heart!"
"Aurora, I like you too. I believe Anthony will eventually love you. Don't worry, you have my support." The thought of Jane made Ann even more approving of Aurora.
"Mrs. Clark, thank you!" Aurora smiled.
"From now on, you should start calling me Mom!" Ann joked.
Aurora shyly lowered her head. She thought, 'Mrs. Clark is right. I am the bride that The Clark family approves. Jane may be outstanding, but she’s no longer an aristocrat, and her class doesn’t match with Anthony’s family. There’s no way Mrs. Clark will ever accept her. I can't give up. First, I have to become Anthony's wife!'
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