The Charismatic Lucas Gray

Chapter 9

"You see the man you chose to stubbornly be with? The moment trouble came knocking—the same trouble he caused—he turned his back and ran, leaving you to deal with everything alone. How can such a coward, such a loser, be what you truly want for yourself?" Watching Lucas disappear from view, Linda turned to Ariadne and chided, her arms crossed defiantly.

"He didn’t run away. Lucas is no coward!" Ariadne shouted through her tears, glaring at her mother. Why did she always have to stand in the way of her happiness?

What really did Lucas do to her?!

Was it such a crime to be poor?!

"My Lucas may be poor, but he is not a coward! Has never been!" she added, her expression brimming with confidence.

"Hmph!" Linda scoffed, her tone laced with disdain. "You honestly think he left to resolve the situation? He, a mere loser? If you really think that, then you’re dumber than I thought! I’m so ashamed on your behalf!" She paced the room, unable to contain the frustration bubbling inside her.

After a while, she turned back to Ariadne, her gaze softening. "Ariadne, honey," she walked over and squatted, gently taking her hands into hers. "I’m your mother. I know what’s best for you. I don’t want you to regret this for the rest of your life.

"You're a beautiful and talented lady, the county's belle. Lucas, that loser, is really not the one for you. You need a man who’ll treat you like the queen you are. Please, do as your grandfather has ordered—divorce that good-for-nothing. Once that’s done, we can arrange another wedding with Seth Miller. Please, I’m doing this for your own good. For your happiness. Because I love you."

"For my own good? For my happiness? Because you love me? Hah!" Ariadne let out a self-deprecating chuckle. "Mom, you’re so sweet and cunning with your words that if I didn’t know better, I’d believe you.

"You claim you’re doing this for me, but isn’t it actually for the family? For yourself? So you’ll answer Seth Miller’s mother-in-law and boast about it to your peers and everyone else willing to listen? Isn’t it so the family can finally rise from a B-list family?

"Hasn’t everything always been for your benefit? For the family’s benefit? Am I not just a toy in your eyes? Have you ever once cared about my feelings? About my so-called happiness?

"Six years ago, you all drove Lucas away, deprived me of his love, his care, his smile—him—and even made me hate him! And now, you’re still trying to tear us apart.

"It’s slightly understandable for Grandpa to be that cold. But you… you’re my mother! I can’t believe you’re even worse!" She snatched her hands from Linda’s grip, tears spilling freely down her cheeks.

"I’m sorry, but I’m starting to doubt if you’re even my mother," her tear-filled gaze swept around the room, full of sorrow. "If any of you are truly my family."

There was a minute of silence, as if the Brooks were trying to process what Ariadne just said before all hell broke loose.

"Then get lost if you think we are not truly your family!" someone yelled hatefully.

"Yes! Who even wants you anyway? This family would be so much better without a trouble-bringer like you!"

"You are a disgrace to the family! Get lost!"

The voices of the Brooks rose higher and higher to the point that some started cursing.

Ariadne knelt on the floor, her body wrapped around herself, whimpering.

Off to the side, Jack had a satisfied smile on his face. Hahaha! This is so good!

"My Lord, please, we really don't have time for this. Something really needs to be done about the situation at hand before everything turns for the worse. We definitely can't rely on that punk, can we?" Through the noise, Silas said anxiously.

"Indeed." Atticus nodded in agreement, his expression grave. His sharp gaze swept across the room. “Enough!” he thundered. “This is not the time for drama. We have a crisis on our hands, and I want solutions. Does anyone have a suggestion?”

The conference room fell into immediate silence. The Brooks' expression turned gloomy as they all instantly fell into thoughts, their minds racing far and wild. Everyone understood—whoever came up with a viable solution would earn Atticus's approval. It wasn’t the same as being named his successor, but it was still a significant step up.

"Grandpa, since Ariadne is part of the reason this is happening, and she has refused to resolve things herself, I think the best thing to do is to bundle her and send her to the Millers. They should lock her up until she agrees to divorce that loser and wed Seth!" barely a minute had passed when someone suggested ruthlessly.

A collective gasp rippled across the room. No matter what, Ariadne was a Brook.

This person was too ruthless.

The most surprising part was that the voice was familiar. They all turned to Jack.

Jack had an indifferent expression like he had no care in the world.

"Yes! Jack is right! They should bundle her and send her to the Millers!" someone suddenly said. It was a young lady.

No one knew if she said this to curry favor with Jack—after all, he was the successor of the family—or because she hated Ariadne.

Whatever it may be, one by one, the rest of the family also started agreeing.

"Yes, Jack's suggestion is the best. It'd kill three birds at a time: one, save us from this catastrophe; second, get rid of that loser; and third, have the family joined with the Millers and repair the recent stretch in our relationship. It is the best suggestion!"

"I agree!"

"Me too!"

Ariadne stared at her family, her lips parted in shock. Were they really being serious?

She couldn't believe it. They were supposed to be her family! How could they bear to bundle her and send her to the Millers?

She turned to Atticus. He was not going to accept that, right?

But to her surprise and dismay, he nodded in approval. "That sounds like a good idea." He glanced around. "Guards, restrain Ariadne Brook immediately!"

"What?" Ariadne was shocked. Before she could even react, two burly men darted over and restrained her, tying her hands and legs with a thick rope. No matter how Ariadne struggled, she couldn't loosen herself.

"Let me go!" she yelled, horrified. "Mom! Dad! Kelvin! Vera! Tell Grandpa to let me go! Please!" She turned to Linda, Reginald and her siblings, begging desperately.

Linda threw her head away, not saying anything. Kelvin and Vera shifted uncomfortably on their feet, but in the end, they also said nothing.

Only Reginald stepped forward. He couldn't stand it. No matter what, Ariadne was his beloved daughter. Who knew what Seth would do to her over there? He looked at Atticus and said firmly but cautiously, "Dad, isn't this too extreme? No matter what, Ariadne is my daughter and your granddaughter—a Brook! Is it really right to bundle her like a thief and send her to the Millers? Isn't there another way?"

Atticus shot his son a cold glance, his expression full of disdain. This was why you never became my successor!

Such a failure!

"Do you have any other suggestion then?" shaking his head in disappointment, he asked coldly.

Reginald fell silent. He really had no other suggestion. "But..." After a minute of silence, he tried to say.

However, Atticus cut him off with a dismissive wave of his hand. His gaze then flicked to Jack. "It's decided. I'm leaving this to you. Take Ariadne and head to the Millers. Apologize to Seth and Malcolm for what happened and then hand Ariadne to them. Tell them my decision. Make sure they let us off before you come back."

Jack smiled. "Don't worry, Grandpa. I won't fail you." He then turned to the guards. "Bring her and follow me."

Ariadne was overwhelmed with fear. She struggled to her knees and clasp her hands together. "Grandpa, don't do this! Please, don't do this. I'm your granddaughter! I'm your blood!" she cried, tears running down her cheeks. "Please! I beg of you!"

But Atticus ignored her. Amidst her tears and struggles, Ariadne was dragged away.