Chapter 465 Heartfelt Connection, Cruel Separation
The dinner party ended with a heavy, uncomfortable silence.
When Jennifer heard about the arranged marriage with the Alexander family, she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, her delicate face turning pale.
On the way home, she shared a car with her mother, Joyce, without even getting a chance to talk to her father, Charlie.
"Mom… why?"
Jennifer's eyes filled with tears as she choked out, "You know I love William… You know I only want to marry him. Why are you forcing me into this marriage with the Alexanders?"
Joyce felt a pang of bitterness but kept her voice steady, "Your father and I think this is a better match for you. William is a great guy, but we don't approve of his family."
"From what I've heard, William's parents don't like us. If you marry him without their blessing, your marriage will be full of problems. Look at Evelyn, she's so strong, but her three years with the Wellington family were miserable, and they ended up divorced."
"Plus, Gordon has turned against our family. Even though we helped him once, he chose to repay us by defending Tiffany in court. I get that a lawyer shouldn't pick sides, but Tiffany has hurt Evelyn over and over. She even…"
Remembering the slander and humiliation she suffered from Tiffany during her acting days, Joyce's heart still ached, "Gordon's actions, and his parents' indulgence of him, are things your father and I can't tolerate. The Flynn family's reputation isn't what it used to be. I don't want any ties with them."
"But… but William is different!"
Jennifer felt like an invisible hand was squeezing her chest, her throat aching, "William has been helping my brother and Evelyn since he graduated from college. He's been so loyal to our family. Can't Dad see that? If you dismiss William's efforts just because of this, how unfair and hurtful would that be for him?"
Her simple and sincere nature made her think of William's feelings first, not her own future. "And Evelyn told me that her divorce from Mr. Wellington wasn't because of pressure from the Wellington family, but because Mr. Wellington didn't love her and let her down. But William has never let me down!"
Joyce's long lashes fluttered as she pressed her lips together.
"William treats me so well, really well."
Jennifer recalled the beautiful moments she shared with William, the happiness they had, and tears began to fall uncontrollably, "Mom, I feel like I'll never find another man who treats me as well as he does. I don't want to lose him…"
"I've loved him for so many years. I've liked him since I was a child, and now I can finally be with him. Please, talk to Dad and don't let us be separated, okay?"
"Jennifer, you're a Taylor. Don't you think you should do something for the family? Do you want to be a sheltered flower forever, a child without any responsibility?"
Joyce had always been gentle and soft-spoken. Even when Jennifer secretly applied to film school to become an actress, she had persuaded Charlie not to send her abroad to study, allowing her to pursue her dreams.
This time, her stern words shocked Jennifer, "Mom…"
"Jennifer, every child of the Taylor family must contribute to the family, no questions asked. Even Evelyn, who's been traveling the world like a free bird for the past few years."
"Now she has to come back to help your father manage the failing hotel and will eventually take over the vast KnightSpear Group. You can imagine how much work that will be."
Jennifer lowered her head in shame, her slender hands twisting together until they turned red.
Evelyn was not only her sister but also her idol.
But she had never been like the evil sisters in romance novels, jealous and trying to outshine her brilliant sister. She knew Evelyn was talented beyond her reach.
But was this the reason she must sacrifice her love?
"Mom… I…"
"And then there's the status of the Flynn family. Marrying William would be a step down for them."
Joyce shook her head, no longer looking at her, "Evelyn is already strong enough, and her fiancé Edward is the president of the Wellington Group. If you stay with William, how will that benefit Evelyn or the Taylor family? Jennifer, you always say you want to do something for this family. Now, it's time for you to make a sacrifice."
By the time they returned to Oasis Villa, Jennifer's eyes were swollen from crying. Afraid of being seen, she stayed in the car for a while before getting out.
Charlie's car had arrived first, and he walked briskly into the house with Hubert following closely behind.
"Mr. Taylor."
He paused, finally noticing William standing in front of him, unsure how long he had been there.
"William, it's late. Why haven't you left yet?" he asked with a faint smile.
"Mr. Taylor, I…" William hesitated, his throat tight.
"I know, you're waiting for Jennifer, aren't you?"
William's expression turned awkward as his intentions were revealed. After a moment of silence, he spoke with deep remorse, "Mr. Taylor, I'm truly sorry about Gordon. But please believe me, no matter what the Flynn family decides, I will always stand by you and Miss Flynn, unwavering."
Charlie's lips curled slightly, "This is your family matter. You don't need to explain it to me. You must have a lot to say to Jennifer, right? Go ahead and talk. I won't interrupt."
These words sent a chill through William's heart.
By the time he snapped out of it, Charlie had already walked away.
After a long wait, Jennifer finally composed herself and walked through the front door, her face pale and her expression dazed.
"Jennifer!"
William rushed forward, wrapping his arms tightly around the girl he loved, holding her as if he would never let go.
"William, you're squeezing me too tight, I can't breathe," Jennifer said, trying to sound lighthearted as she gently chided him.
William's eyes were red, but he refused to loosen his grip.
Instead, his trembling arms tightened even more, and his burning lips pressed against her shoulder, leaving a heated mark. "I'm sorry, because of my family, you're caught in the middle."
Jennifer took a deep breath, her eyes welling up with barely noticeable tears. "It's nothing, don't overthink it."
The two young lovers held each other for a long time before reluctantly parting.
"William, I'll be busy planning my career for the next while," Jennifer said softly, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "And I've been studying at Mugden for the past four years, rarely in Hameen. Now that I have more time, I want to stay home and spend more time with my parents."
"You've just recovered from a serious injury. Evelyn mentioned wanting you to try out in the legal department at KnightSpear Group, so you'll be busy too, right?"
William's breath hitched, his heart tightening. "Jennifer, what are you trying to say?"
"For now, let's not see each other," Jennifer forced a light smile.
Instantly, William's heart felt like it was being torn apart. He grabbed her shoulders, "Jennifer, is Mr. Taylor pressuring you? Is he forbidding you from seeing me?"
Jennifer's smile grew more bitter.
She couldn't tell him the truth, afraid he wouldn't be able to handle it and would break down.
"No, it's just that so much has happened recently. I think it's better to wait until Evelyn and Mr. Wellington handle Gordon's situation, and until Dad calms down a bit. Then we can see each other again, okay?"
"Go home, William. You haven't been resting well because of everything going on at home. Your dark circles are so heavy."
Jennifer's fingers trembled as she gently touched William's reddened eyes, a storm of emotions churning in her aching chest.
Finally, she couldn't hold back any longer. She stood on her tiptoes, cupped her beloved's handsome face, and kissed him deeply, tears streaming down her face.
"William, I love you."
Evelyn had just finished her shower and stepped out of her room, only to see Jennifer, her eyes swollen from crying, quickly heading to her room.
"Jennifer? Jennifer!"
But Jennifer acted as if she didn't hear, quickening her pace.
Evelyn knew she had heard but was deliberately ignoring her, and she couldn't help but feel worried as she chased after her.
"Jennifer, what's wrong?" Evelyn grabbed her arm.
Jennifer slowly turned around, her tear-streaked face still wet, "It's nothing, Evelyn."
Evelyn was taken aback, "You've been crying? Did you fight with William? Or…"
"Evelyn, you and Mr. Wellington… you must be happy."
Leaving behind a cryptic message, Jennifer shook off her hand and ran down the hallway, ignoring Evelyn's calls.
Evelyn's brows furrowed, sensing something was wrong. She pulled out her phone and called William.
"Ms. Evelyn Taylor," William's voice was somber and weak.
"William, what did you say to Jennifer? She's crying so much. Did you hurt her?" Evelyn demanded, hands on her hips.
"Jennifer cried?"
William's heart ached, but he spoke honestly, "Miss Evelyn Taylor, I didn't fight with Miss Jennifer Taylor, but when she came back… she was already upset."
"I asked her why, and she just said we shouldn't see each other for a while. She didn't say anything else."
Evelyn grew more suspicious.
She knew how inseparable Jennifer was from William.
And just this morning, they had vowed to stay together no matter what. How could she suddenly say they shouldn't see each other?
"Did Jennifer go out alone tonight? Did she tell you where she went?"
William thought for a moment and said quietly, "Jennifer seemed to have gone out with Mr. Taylor and Mrs. Joyce Taylor."
Evelyn's eyes darkened.
In the study.
Charlie, after taking his medication for his stroke under Hubert's care, slumped on the sofa, resting with his eyes closed.
"Hubert… bring the spittoon, I feel like throwing up… ugh…"
"Right away! Hold on!"
Hubert quickly fetched the spittoon, kneeling beside Charlie.
Charlie clutched his chest, bending over in pain, but after a while, nothing came out.
"Mr. Taylor, this medication is too strong. You should reduce the dosage."
Hubert felt distressed watching him suffer, "I'm afraid if you keep this up, you'll weaken your body before you get better. What will we do then?"
"I'm getting old. Whether I take the medicine or not, I'll eventually weaken. Just accept it."
Charlie took a deep breath, his forced composure giving way to exhaustion, revealing his haggard appearance. "Just… don't let the kids know, especially Evelyn. I don't want her to be sad."
Hubert's eyes grew moist. "Mr. Taylor, stay optimistic. Medical technology is so advanced now, there's no reason we can't cure you."
"I know. I want to live a few more years. What will happen to Evelyn if I die? What about the three wives who've been with me?"
Charlie rubbed his aching temples, "But we need to plan. Before Evelyn takes over the family business, I need to clear as many obstacles and potential threats as possible."
"Mr. Landon Taylor may not be interested in business, but if Ms. Evelyn Taylor faces difficulties, he will sacrifice everything to support her."
Meanwhile, in the living room outside the study.
Evelyn walked in briskly, carrying a chill with her as she approached the door.
Hearing Charlie and Hubert's voices inside, she stopped abruptly, holding her breath and pressing her ear against the door.
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