In the grand living room of the McAdams Manor.
"Aria, are you sure you want to marry Hansen?" Earl asked, frowning at Aria, who was sitting on the opposite couch. He was gripping a newspaper in his hand, and his face was as pale as a ghost.
"Dad, I love him. I must marry him." Aria's eyes were red and swollen. She replied with certainty, "Dad, I have been with him for so many years. We have so many memories together and I love him. Why can't I marry him? Where else would I be able to find such a good husband like him in A city?"
Aria was in denial, and was deeply unhappy. She was determined to make Hansen her husband no matter what.
"Alas." Earl shook his head, sighed. Then he said as he handed the newspaper to Aria., "You better take a good look at this for yourself. It's your decision after all. Don't blame me for not giving you a head's up."
After Aria took the newspaper and looked at it, she said casually, "Dad, I know about this. The paparazzi have been taking a lot of pictures of him and his ex-wife together these days. What about it? He has no feelings for her anymore. In fact, he loathes her, and besides, they are already divorced."
"Aria, how do you know that Hansen does not have feelings for Jenna? Look at this photo. This is what a happy couple looks like. They are smiling, looking all lovey-dovey. How can you tell that he hates her?" Earl's eyes were dead- serious. He looked at his smitten daughter and felt a little heartbroken for her.
If Hansen loved his daughter, would he bear to hurt her? Would he even refuse to label their relationship? This was not gentlemanly at all. If a man did this, there was only one explanation: he was either incompetent, or he didn't love the woman at all. However, Hansen was not incompetent, so it must be the latter. He, as an observer, could see this as clear as day. However, his daughter who was deeply in love with him, could not see this.
Through his conversation with Hansen, he understood his intentions. All these were just an excuse. He knew that he did not want his daughter to get married. He was the Mayor of City A, yet his daughter wanted to marry Hansen as his second wife. He was furious at the thought of it. His excuse was that Grandma Richards opposed the marriage, but Earl didn't think so. Grandma Richards can disapprove of their marriage, but Hansen was the one marrying her. If he loved her and wanted to marry her, he would do everything in his power to make it happen. He wouldn't hesitate at all.
A man like Hansen was smart, arrogant and would dare to do anything he wanted to do. If he put his mind to something, no one would be able to stop him. However, with regards to his marriage with Aria, he adopted a state of disregard, which further angered Earl.
As the Mayor of A city, the McAdams family was considered a rich and powerful family. Furthermore, Hansen was a divorcee. His daughter was smart and beautiful, which was more than enough for him. On the other hand, Hansen was not very enthusiastic about their marriage. Earl was embarrassed as his family had to initiate the topic repeatedly despite being the bride's family. Was his daughter so mean that no one wanted to be with her?
That was why he forced Aria to come home with them that night after going over for Grandma Richard's birthday celebration.
He did this for several reasons. First of all, he wanted to give Aria a chance to calm down and let her think through Hansen's motive. He was trying to persuade her against marrying Hansen, at least until Hansen proposed to her himself. If Hansen loved her, he would know what to do.
As a matter of fact, he did not want his daughter to marry such an outstanding man. That was not a good thing for women. Secondly, he wanted to try to change Grandma Richard's negative perception of his daughter.
There were not many wise elders who would refuse to change their minds once in the presence of Mayor McAdams. Besides, his daughter's marriage to Hansen would only boost the reputation of the Richards family.
Moreover, he wanted to save his daughter from embarrassment. After all, a bride's family could not always obey the groom's family. It would only bring shame to the family. That was the reason why he had asked his daughter to go home with them that night. He wanted to know how Hansen would react.
However, he was disappointed by his actions. Not only did Hansen not take the initiative to meet up with his daughter, but he recently saw a lot of pictures of him and his ex- wife together in the newspapers. What did it mean then? What was his daughter to him?
Therefore, he decided to convince Aria to give up the idea of marrying Hansen. His daughter did not need to marry a man like that. They had a reputation to protect. He had to protect his family's honor and let Hansen take the initiative to either propose, or cancel this marriage. How could his daughter be a mistress?
"Dad, men are all so unfaithful. The news used to report about him having a woman around him, and it was obvious that it was that woman who pestered him. I have to admit she is beautiful so I am not surprised that he would take advantage of her. Once he gets bored of her, he will automatically come back to me. After all these years, I know him inside out. I'm sure that he hates that woman. They separated after a few years of marriage. I know what's going on." Aria explained, not taking it seriously.
"Aria, are you sure that Hansen truly loves you?" Earl muttered, his eyes gleaming. He stared at Aria and asked sincerely.
Aria was stunned. She raised her confused eyes and looked at Earl. Her face was a little embarrassed. After a long time, she affirmatively said, "Before Jenna came back from abroad, I was sure that Hansen had feelings for me."
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