Chapter 8  

Norah was really upset, her teeth almost sinking into her lip. But she had to put up a fake gentle smile as she followed behind the two.

When they arrived home, the three of them noticed a luxury car that they had never seen before parked up in front of the door.

Feeling curious, Gloria entered the house with her two daughters and saw a well-dressed man sitting across Daniel.

Even if the man was not facing them directly, his extraordinary charm made it impossible for people to take their eyes off him.

Norah had never seen such a good-looking man before. She rushed up to Gloria and said, “Mom, who is that person?”

Gloria shook her head and walked in. “Hey, Daniel.”

When Daniel saw Gloria and his daughters, he quickly got up and introduced them. “Jared, this is my wife, and this is my younger daughter.”

As Daniel introduced Nicole to Jared Johnston, the affection on his face was plain to see.

Norah was waiting for Daniel to introduce her, but Daniel did not even spare her a glance.

Jared’s glacial eyes swept over the three of them, and then he stood up and nodded to Nicole. “Hello, I am Jared.”

Jared's words startled Gloria and Norah.

The friendship between the Johnston and Riddle families spanned across generations. Mr. Johnston Sr. and Mr. Riddle Sr. had made a marriage arrangement for their grandchildren in the early years, and Jared was the fiancé whom Norah had been hearing about but had never met. Jared had been studying abroad before.

She did not expect that when Jared finally returned to the country, she was no longer the daughter of the Riddle family.

Noticing that Jared was staring at Nicole, jealousy turned into thorns pricking Norah in the heart. She felt hurt even when breathing.

It was all Nicole’s fault for not coming back at the right time. Otherwise, she would be the only person Jared saw now.

“Nicole.”

The man in front of him was truly charming, but Nicole simply responded with her name and said nothing else.

Gloria felt awkward but guessed that Nicole had just returned, not knowing who Jared was. So, she quickly explained, “Nicole’s is simple and forthright. Hope you don’t mind.”

Jared could not help but take a second look at Nicole. “It is alright. I like such a forthright personality.”

What he said elated Daniel and Gloria.

Jared was the most outstanding grandchild of the Johnston family. It would be great if Nicole could get his likes.

Nicole looked at Jared’s dark eyes and felt that there was more to this man than met the eye. She was good at reading people, but this man had an unfathomable look in the eyes.

The three of them sat down together. Gloria deliberately let Nicole and Jared sit next to each other, and Norah could only sit down by herself.

Nicole felt it weird, wondering why she was seated next to a stranger.

Just then, Jared held up the coffee cup and continued. “My grandfather has not been feeling well recently and wants to meet my fiancée. I know it is odd, but so I am here today.”

Nicole was completely dumbfounded. “Fiancée?” What the hell was going on?

When Daniel coughed nervously, Gloria got the hint and hurriedly said, “Nicole, you just came back, and we hadn’t told you that your grandfather and Mr. Johnston Sr. made a marriage arrangement for you. Jared is your fiancé.”

“What?”

'What the hell?'

She had only been back to the Riddle family for two days and had not even met all the family members. Yet here she met her fiancé?

As cool as she was, she could no longer stay calm. “Arranged marriage, seriously, Mom? Don’t you think this is too outrageous?”

Who would still get married by arranged marriages nowadays?

“I know it is hard for you to accept, but that was the practice during your grandfather’s time,” Daniel said helplessly.

He and Gloria had also worried about this before, but when they saw Jared was such an excellent man, they hoped Nicole would find a good husband like him.

Nicole’s face turned pale, but Norah thought Nicole took things for granted. “Nicole, I was supposed to marry Jared, but now since you have returned, I should return what is rightfully yours. You must not let down Grandpa.”

Norah finally caught everyone’s attention, and even Jared was now looking at her.

Norah saw Jared looking at her, her heart instantly pounding, her face blushed. She let out a smile like a fine lady.

Jared sized her up and said, “So she is the adopted daughter of the Riddle family?”

Jared emphasized the word "adopted" when he spoke. It made Norah feel like a basin of icy water pouring on her head.

This was the biggest thorn in her heart. Norah did not expect Jared to say it so directly. For a moment, the smile froze on her face. She did not want to admit it, but she could not deny it either. All she could do now was to bite her lip with a hurt feeling, her eyes reddening, looking as if she deserved pity.

Norah had known since she was a child that she was not as outstanding as her parents and brothers in terms of looks, but being the sole daughter of the family was her advantage. Usually, she just needed to use the victim card, and everyone would soften and not hurt her again. It was a trick that had always been working.

But Jared did not seem to buy this. He said indifferently, “I appreciate what our grandpas have done for us, but the times are different now. If you do not agree to this marriage, you may also take this opportunity to cancel the arrangement with my grandpa.”

It sounded matter of course to Jared, as if it was just a weather chat. But it completely stunned Daniel and Gloria. “Cancel the marriage arrangement?”