“We’ll likely hold the wedding within a month of registering our marriage.“Oh, right. Our hometowns are so far apart. Where should we hold the wedding? In yours or mine? Or should we have one in each city?“You’re neither the oldest nor the youngest in your generation, but marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime event. I don’t want you to feel slighted. I want the people in Wiltspoon to also know that we’re married.”His relatives and friends were all in Wiltspoon.If they only held a wedding in Satbury and not in Wiltspoon, Isabella would feel that Austin was being treated unfairly.She loved him and did not want him to suffer any grievances.After all, he had already sacrificed so much for her.Austin said, “We’ll hold banquets in both cities and invite our relatives and friends to share a toast and bless us.”Personally, he did not mind either way, but he knew his family elders would, so it was better to host celebrations in both places.Isabella hummed in agreement. “Then we’ll

Tati teased, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could be sisters-in-law on top of being pretty much sisters?”“I did think about it, but all of Austin’s older brothers are already taken. He has three younger brothers, but they’re still too young. Grandma May isn’t even in a hurry to find matches for them yet.”Tati giggled. “Isa, I was just joking. Don’t take it seriously.”“Oh, right. Last time I visited FC Manor, I met a few of the single Johnson men. Francis Johnson would actually be a great match for you. Next time I chat with Grandma May, I’ll ask her to play matchmaker for you.”“Wait, Isa, are you serious? I was only kidding! I don’t want to get married, at least not right now. Maybe when I’m thirty, and if I change my mind,” Tati exclaimed, not expecting Isabella to actually consider setting her up.Truthfully, she had no intention of marrying and would happily stay single forever. It was not like her parents or younger brothers would kick her out.With her own substantial asset

Tati could not help but grumble.Her mother was the epitome of propriety. She was always perfectly made up, with high heels on, and was impeccably dressed even at home. She would even only remove her makeup when she went to bed.Even now, waiting up late for her daughter, Margaret remained fully groomed. Her elegant, dignified image was impregnable no matter the hour.Tati often wondered if her mother ever grew tired of it. To her, it seemed exhausting.“With Isabella taking a few days off, I’ve taken over her workload. I’ve been swamped, so that’s why I’m late. Tonight’s actually considered pretty early. I might come home even later for the next few days. So, Mom, if you need anything, just call me. No need to wait up like this.”Margaret complained, “When I call you, you say you’re busy not even two sentences later. In the morning when you leave, I’m still asleep, so I don’t get to see you then either. The only chance I have of catching you is if I wait up for you at night.“To

Tony Longbottom was precisely that sort of ungrateful bastard.“Mom, do you know about the Jensburg Fishers?” Tati asked.Margaret replied, “I rarely go out, and Jensburg is so far from here. How would I know about them?”Tati recounted the Fisher family’s situation to her mother.She explained, “The Fisher matriarch’s ending is exactly what Tony Longbottom fears. He doesn’t want to have all his hard work come to nothing and give it all back to the main line. That’s why he’s set his eldest son’s sights on us.“It's all about securing a backup plan for themselves.“If they form a marriage alliance with us, and the true Longbottom heir returns to reclaim everything, do you think Manny Longbottom and his father could refuse? The legitimate heir holds all the family symbols of authority.“The Longbottoms’ elite forces obey the tokens, not individuals. Whoever possesses them commands their absolute loyalty.“At that point, as their in-laws, wouldn’t we be forced to assist Manny Long

Her own daughter was now a pillar of the O’Connor family. If her birth relatives still harbored designs on the family’s wealth, they would be harming her child.A mother’s children were both her Achilles heel and her last straw.“Exactly. Even the most talented business geniuses stumble sometimes. It’s normal for our company to have losses for a quarter or two. We’ve always adjusted strategies to turn things around.“I have full confidence in both myself and Isabella.”Tati acknowledged how hard Isabella had it.“Get some rest.”Margaret rose without further discussion. After urging her daughter once more, she headed upstairs.Entering her bedroom, she found her husband, Harold, stirring awake. Seeing her return fully dressed and made up, he asked, “You’re still up? Where were you? Or is it morning already?”He glanced outside at the still-dark sky. Nope, it clearly was not morning yet.“No, it’s only about 1 AM right now. I was waiting for Tati to come home and to talk to her