Your Regrets Won't Bring Me Back - Chapter 34: Chapter 34
You are reading Your Regrets Won't Bring Me Back, Chapter 34: Chapter 34. Read more chapters of Your Regrets Won't Bring Me Back.
Sir Whitmore said, "I'm here for Ellie."
Annabelle's nails bit into her palms. Ever since the engagement had been switched from Ellie to her, Sir Whitmore had opposed the match at every turn.
The night before the engagement banquet he had even threatened not to attend.
That would have suited Annabelle just fine, yet now—at the crucial moment—he had appeared, clearly intent on causing trouble.
Was he about to announce that Elena Bennett would resume her engagement to Victor after all?
Victor rubbed his brow, casting an instinctive glance at Elena.
Had Elena called his grandfather here?
The scene in the gown boutique flashed before his eyes, and his heart gave a violent thump. Elena knew Sir Whitmore had always tried to push them together; asking him here now could only mean one thing.
Sir Whitmore barked, "Victor, have my words become mere background noise? Without my permission, do you really think this engagement banquet can proceed?"
Victor pressed his lips together. "Grandpa, I never intended to defy you."
"Humph! I'm here today to make an announcement," Sir Whitmore declared.
"Because certain matters remain unsettled, the Whitmore-Bennett engagement banquet must be postponed. I apologize for inconveniencing everyone; when we set a new date, we will make amends in person."
Annabelle's face went chalk-white.
Adaline and Lawrence Bennett looked equally embarrassed. To save face, Lawrence stepped forward.
"Sir Whitmore, our children's betrothal was arranged long ago. Where does that leave the Bennett family's dignity? Do you mean to break the engagement?"
Sir Whitmore chuckled. "I said postpone, not cancel. In fact, I'm eager to become in-laws. But the one promised to Victor was Ellie—when did it suddenly become Annabelle?"
"Sir Whitmore, Annabelle is my own flesh and blood," Lawrence insisted. "The engagement has always belonged to her; there's nothing improper in that."
"All I know, Lawrence, is that from childhood the one engaged to Victor was Ellie. What I value isn't merely the Bennett name; this match was never just a business alliance."
His meaning could not have been clearer: he found Annabelle wanting.
Realizing his weak position, Lawrence fell silent. If he offended the Whitmores now, Annabelle would never marry into that family.
The guests exchanged bewildered glances and began whispering among themselves.
"Please, enjoy the food and entertainment," Sir Whitmore told the crowd. "I have family business to attend to, so excuse me."
Annabelle went sheet-white. She tugged Victor's sleeve and whispered, "Victor, are you really going to let everyone laugh at me?"
Victor said nothing, his gaze fixed on Elena.
"Victor! Say something! Is the banquet ruined? Do you want me to become the laughingstock of the whole city?"
At last Victor looked at her, brow furrowed. "I'm sorry."
Annabelle felt her heart plunge into ice.
Around them, low voices sounded like ridicule, reveling in the public slap Sir Whitmore had dealt her.
Without so much as a glance at Annabelle, Sir Whitmore took Elena's hand and said softly, "Ellie, come with me."
"Okay," Elena replied.
Annabelle's nails bit into her palms. Ever since the engagement had been switched from Ellie to her, Sir Whitmore had opposed the match at every turn.
The night before the engagement banquet he had even threatened not to attend.
That would have suited Annabelle just fine, yet now—at the crucial moment—he had appeared, clearly intent on causing trouble.
Was he about to announce that Elena Bennett would resume her engagement to Victor after all?
Victor rubbed his brow, casting an instinctive glance at Elena.
Had Elena called his grandfather here?
The scene in the gown boutique flashed before his eyes, and his heart gave a violent thump. Elena knew Sir Whitmore had always tried to push them together; asking him here now could only mean one thing.
Sir Whitmore barked, "Victor, have my words become mere background noise? Without my permission, do you really think this engagement banquet can proceed?"
Victor pressed his lips together. "Grandpa, I never intended to defy you."
"Humph! I'm here today to make an announcement," Sir Whitmore declared.
"Because certain matters remain unsettled, the Whitmore-Bennett engagement banquet must be postponed. I apologize for inconveniencing everyone; when we set a new date, we will make amends in person."
Annabelle's face went chalk-white.
Adaline and Lawrence Bennett looked equally embarrassed. To save face, Lawrence stepped forward.
"Sir Whitmore, our children's betrothal was arranged long ago. Where does that leave the Bennett family's dignity? Do you mean to break the engagement?"
Sir Whitmore chuckled. "I said postpone, not cancel. In fact, I'm eager to become in-laws. But the one promised to Victor was Ellie—when did it suddenly become Annabelle?"
"Sir Whitmore, Annabelle is my own flesh and blood," Lawrence insisted. "The engagement has always belonged to her; there's nothing improper in that."
"All I know, Lawrence, is that from childhood the one engaged to Victor was Ellie. What I value isn't merely the Bennett name; this match was never just a business alliance."
His meaning could not have been clearer: he found Annabelle wanting.
Realizing his weak position, Lawrence fell silent. If he offended the Whitmores now, Annabelle would never marry into that family.
The guests exchanged bewildered glances and began whispering among themselves.
"Please, enjoy the food and entertainment," Sir Whitmore told the crowd. "I have family business to attend to, so excuse me."
Annabelle went sheet-white. She tugged Victor's sleeve and whispered, "Victor, are you really going to let everyone laugh at me?"
Victor said nothing, his gaze fixed on Elena.
"Victor! Say something! Is the banquet ruined? Do you want me to become the laughingstock of the whole city?"
At last Victor looked at her, brow furrowed. "I'm sorry."
Annabelle felt her heart plunge into ice.
Around them, low voices sounded like ridicule, reveling in the public slap Sir Whitmore had dealt her.
Without so much as a glance at Annabelle, Sir Whitmore took Elena's hand and said softly, "Ellie, come with me."
"Okay," Elena replied.
End of Your Regrets Won't Bring Me Back Chapter 34. Continue reading Chapter 35 or return to Your Regrets Won't Bring Me Back book page.