Chapter 243 You’re the One I Chose
The moment the formal introductions ended, Eliza turned to Tristan with a question.
She didn’t understand.
Didn’t understand why Tristan would do something like that.
Wouldn’t this just expose the Sue family’s scandal to the world?
“In my eyes,” Tristan said calmly, “the only thing that matters is that you don’t get hurt.”
He said it as if that thunderous announcement earlier had been as ordinary as eating dinner.
Finished
Eliza had never felt much toward the Sue family. But seeing Tristan go so far to protect her, something inside her started to shift.
“I already promised a friend I’d be returning to Westbrook soon.”
“You’ve got school in Westbrook. None of us will stop you.”
“…And what if I decide to live there permanently?”
“Westbrook was where Emilia lived. She didn’t like being overseas. If that’s what you want, we won’t object.”
“I don’t want to take the Sue family name.”
“That’s fine. You’re Emilia’s daughter. We never did our duty as your brothers. Keeping the Rivers name is only natural.”
Hearing those words, Eliza suddenly felt a little guilty.
She hadn’t done anything at all–and yet she was reaping all the benefits.
“Halbert doesn’t seem to like me much.”
“He’s close to your age. I’m sure he’ll come around eventually.”
Tristan gently patted her head, the way a big brother might spoil a younger sibling.
“Go on. You’re the star of the night.”
Just as Eliza turned to leave, she stopped suddenly, then turned back.
“Christian said there’s a marriage arrangement between me and the Foster family. I want-”
“To call it off?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m the one who invited the Foster family tonight. Don’t worry about it. If our little sister doesn’t want it, we’ll never force it.”
Eliza hesitated. “But the Rivers family… they’re not exactly easy to deal with.”
“That’s something I have to deal with,” Tristan said with a calm smile. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it under
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Chapter 243 You’re the One 1 Chose
control.”
Eliza had never known what it felt like to be protected by family.
And now that warmth had arrived so suddenly, she didn’t quite know what to do with it.
“Go.” Tristan said gently. “I’ll take care of the rest.”
This time, Eliza didn’t protest.
As she reentered the banquet hall, Christian approached Tristan in the shadows.
“Tristan… how exactly are we supposed to cancel the engagement?”
That agreement had been decided back when their father was gravely ill. The board had voted on it.
And yes–they had wronged the Foster family.
finished
“Different times, different rules,” Tristan said coolly. “If my sister doesn’t want to marry him, then he doesn’t get to. Let them try and push us–we’ll push back. I’d like to see them try.”
It was outright defiance.
Christian really wanted to say it out loud–You’re just being shameless.
But he held back.
After all, if the Sue family was known for anything… it was protecting their own.
Being shameless wasn’t new. Just embarrassing.
And if Tristan didn’t care about losing face, why should he?
Meanwhile, Eliza had returned to the banquet hall.
As soon as the crowd spotted her, everyone eagerly approached, wanting to exchange a few words.
Now that it was public knowledge that the Sue family’s entire inheritance would go to Eliza, getting on her good side was nothing short of strategic.
Eliza, however, was scanning the crowd–for Nolan.
But the banquet hall was packed, and no matter how long she searched, she didn’t see him.
“Looking for Nolan?”
Henry’s voice sounded beside her.
She turned–and there he was.
For a moment, she thought she was looking at the boy from high school again. But then she snapped back to reality.
This Henry… wasn’t the same one from back then.
They were on opposite sides now.
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Chapter 243 You’re the One I Chose
“What do you want?”
Her tone was cold.
Finished
“Just trying to build a better relationship with my fiancée. Though you don’t seem too thrilled to see me.”
“You’re right. I’m not.”
Eliza turned to leave, but Henry called out, “Nolan’s outside. You should go check.”
Eliza frowned.
She didn’t know if she could trust Henry.
But Nolan really wasn’t in the hall.
After a moment’s pause, she decided to take a look.
When she stepped outside the banquet hall, she froze.
There, in the distance–a woman had thrown herself into Nolan’s arms.
She looked delicate and frail, like she might collapse at any moment.
And Nolan… wasn’t pushing her away.
Eliza stood frozen.
Behind her, Henry came up and said calmly, “What’s wrong? Didn’t Nolan tell you? He has a fiancée.”
In that moment, Eliza felt like ice had sunk into her bones.
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