Chapter 15
“Andrew, I’m so sorry! Please, just give me one more chance!” Wendy begged, her voice trembling.
Andrew stepped back, dodging her desperate embrace, his disgust palpable as he brushed off his sleeve where she had touched him.
The Harper family had never faced such humiliation since their rise to wealth. Caleb frowned, displeased with Andrew’s arrogance, yet he had no grounds to argue. After all, it was Wendy who had caused all this chaos.
Julian pulled Wendy aside, frustration etched on his face. Zoe fought the urge to slap her, opting instead for a harsh whisper “Wendy, stop it. Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough already?”
Turning to Andrew, she continued calmly, “The damage is done, and if Mr. Sinclair wishes to call off the engagement, we won’t stand in your way.”
Andrew tapped his fingers rhythmically on his knee, his long lashes veiling the swirl of emotions in his eyes.
His voice remained calm yet resolute as he addressed the room. “The engagement between the Sinclair and Harper families was arranged by our grandparents, who are no longer with us. I have no intention of breaking such a long–standing agreement, and I trust the Harper family feels the same.”
Julian raised an eyebrow. “Then what do you mean? You’re the one who wanted to break off the engagement.”
“I’m not canceling the arrangement with the Harper family,” Andrew replied, his tone unwavering. “I’m simply ending my engagement to Wendy. Given that you’ve recently found your real daughter, shouldn’t she be the one I marry?”
His words landed like a bombshell, plunging the room into a heavy silence.
The discovery of the Harper family’s long–lost daughter remained a closely guarded secret, known to only a select few. Andrew’s influence in Windiburg was evidently extensive.
Zoe quickly stepped in to dismiss the notion. “No, Mr. Sinclair. While we did find her, she’s not well–educated or refined. She wouldn’t be a suitable match for the Sinclair family.” Her words were a deliberate attempt to downplay Nora’s worth, as she sought to protect her daughter from what appeared to be a disastrous marriage.
To Zoe’s dismay, Andrew seemed unfazed, even more convinced that the newly discovered daughter might be the perfect match for him. He craved someone genuine, not a woman like Wendy who masked her cunning with pretense.
“Is she home?” Andrew asked, wanting to settle the matter.
Zoe immediately shook her head. “No, she’s not.”
Upstairs, Nora huddled deeper into the shadowy corner, trying to stay out of sight. ‘Marry me? Yeah, right,‘ she thought, rolling her eyes. ‘He’s practically on his deathbed. Let Wendy have him; I’m not about to become a widow.
Wendy was teetering on the edge of madness, consumed by jealousy. Regret gnawed at her for ever reaching out to those tabloids. ‘How did it all go so wrong?‘ she wondered, frustration boiling within her.
“I’ve said my piece. I won’t take up any more of your time,” Andrew said, rising to leave.
Wendy rushed to follow him, but Julian grabbed her arm, holding her back. “Wendy, stop! Do you even realize what you’ve done?”
Sobbing uncontrollably, Wendy struggled to find her voice as her family looked on, their disappointment palpable.
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3:38 am
Chapter 15
Caleb sighed heavily. “It’s done now, so let’s not dwell on it. But Wendy, listen closely–this is the only time I’ll let such a mistake slide. Do not repeat it. No man is worth losing your dignity.”
Wendy nodded, tears welling in her eyes, but resentment bubbled beneath the surface. How could Andrew even think about marrying Nora?” Fury threatened to spill over as she bit her lip, her mind racing. At least he doesn’t know it was Nora who spent the night with him
Zoe rubbed her temples in exasperation. “What about Nora? We can’t seriously let her marry Andrew, can we?”
Caleb sighed. “Let’s take a step back and see how things unfold. We’re at fault today, but if none of this had happened, I would have preferred Andrew over anyone else. Wendy, consider this a lesson: don’t ever cross paths with Andrew again.”
Wendy nodded obediently, her face tear–streaked. “I understand, Dad.”
Nora, who had been secretly relishing the drama from her hiding spot, finally returned to her room. As she closed her eyes, Andrew’s cold, indifferent face flashed through her mind. ‘Whoever marries him is in for one hell of a life,‘ she mused.
After leaving the Harmony Chateau, Andrew slid into the car, immediately sensing something was off with Axel. He glanced away, stammering, “Mr. Sinclair, I’ll start driving.”
“What’s wrong?” Andrew inquired.
Axel hesitated. “I… um…”
Andrew’s patience wore thin. “Just spit it out.”
Finally, Axel blurted out, “Well… sir, it’s about your sister. She had a car accident on her way back to the mansion. She’s in the hospital now.”
Andrew slammed the car door shut with a loud bang, his temper barely in check. Normally composed, the news that his sister had been in an accident pushed him to the brink.
“How is she?” he demanded.
Axel quickly reassured him. “Mr. Sinclair, don’t worry. She and the baby are fine. She’s resting now. Let me drive.”
The atmosphere in the car was charged with tension as they sped toward the hospital. Andrew’s brow furrowed deeply, his thoughts racing. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Mr. Sinclair, I just found out myself. Ms. Sinclair insisted we not tell you–she didn’t want to add to your worries,” Axel explained.
When they arrived at the hospital, Andrew hurried straight to Samantha’s room. She had been his rock ever since their parents died in a car accident while he was still in high school. Despite their wealth, Samantha had taken on the dual roles of sister and guardian, guiding him through the challenges of life.
Eight years his senior and freshly graduated from college, she stepped up to care for him when he needed it most. Apart from their grandfather, she was the only person he truly relied on.
Now, pregnant with her second child, Samantha had been in an accident while her husband was away on a business trip abroad. Andrew’s heart tightened as he approached her. “Sam,” he called softly, searching for any signs of injury.
Samantha gave him a weary smile. “I’m fine, Andrew. Stop worrying.”
Andrew’s expression turned serious. “Sam, don’t keep things like this from me. Not ever.” He then turned to Axel, his voice steady. “Find out who the driver was and fire him immediately.”
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Chapter 15
Samantha sighed, her gaze warm with affection. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to freak out. It’s just a few scrapes. and I’ll be discharged in two days. I need you to do me a favor while I’m here–take care of Tommy for me”
Tommy, Samantha’s first child, had been born with autism due to a difficult delivery and required constant care.
“Of course, I’ll take care of him,” Andrew replied without hesitation.
“Oh, and one more thing,” Samantha said, her tone shifting to serious. “Check the traffic footage from that day. There was a young woman who helped me after the accident. She had medical knowledge and saved the baby. I need you to find her. If it weren’t for her, the baby might not have made it.”
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AD
