The Underestimated Tycoon

Chapter 5

"Aria will marry Gregory Holden," Margaret declared in a firm voice.

The tension in the room became extremely suffocating, and Henry Whitman stood tall, his arms crossed as he stared down at his wife, Margaret, who had just made an outrageous declaration. Her statement that Aria would marry Gregory Holden had shocked everyone in the room, and Henry’s expression instantly turned to one of pure disgust.

“Gregory Holden? That hypocrite’s son? You must be out of your mind.” Henry sneered, his voice filled with disdain.

Margaret remained unflinching at her husband’s harsh words, her posture stiff and resolute.

“Greg is a fine young man, and he works for the powerful Crestwood family. It is surely a connection that will be invaluable to us one day.”

Henry shook his head, his patience wearing thin.

“The Crestwood family may be powerful, but Greg himself is nothing. His father is a mere lackey who can’t even manage his own affairs, and you want our Aria to be engaged to such a person?”

“He’s more respectable than that boy you’ve brought in!” Margaret shot back, her voice rising as she pointed toward Ethan, who stood silently by the side.

"Respectable, my foot! Greg will never be part of this family,” Henry stated firmly, his words final.

Just as the argument between the two hit its peak, Aria’s parents emerged from the side hall, having overheard the entire argument. Her mother, Eloise Whitman, looked pale and apprehensive, while her father, Edward, wore an expression of clear disapproval.

“Father.” Edward began to say, casting a sideways glance at Ethan’s poor appearance,

“Is this really the young man you’ve chosen for Aria? Look at him! He’s hardly fitting for our daughter!”

“Yes, Father. He looks so unkempt. Surely, we could find someone more suitable.” Eloise, who was always quick to follow her husband’s lead, added quietly.

Henry’s eyes darkened as he glanced toward his son and daughter-in-law.

“Enough! I am the head of this family, and I have made my decision! Ethan is Aria’s fiancé, and that is final.” Henry declared angrily.

“But Father! This boy doesn’t even look like he comes from a respectable family. How could we possibly accept him into ours?” Eloise protested, fiddling with her hands nervously.

Margaret, who was emboldened by their objections, stepped forward, her voice more determined than ever.

“Can you see? Even Aria’s parents object to this madness!”

“Gregory Holden is surely the better match for our family! His father may be a mere employee now, but their connection to Edward Crestwood will surely open doors for us and elevate this family to a new level!”

“I don’t care about the Crestwood family or their connections. What I care about is what is best for my granddaughter Aria and for this family.”

“She will be engaged to Ethan, and that is the end of this argument.” Henry concluded, his tone resolute.

Ethan, who stood in a corner of the hallway, remained silent throughout the entire exchange with a stoic expression on his face as he listened to the insults and arguments flying around him. He didn’t care about their wealth or status. All that mattered to him was uncovering the truth behind his mother’s death, and Aria was the key to that.

“You’re making a mistake, Henry. A terrible mistake.” Margaret’s face flushed with anger, her voice trembling as she spoke.

Henry, unshaken by his wife's words, turned toward his granddaughter.

“Aria, take Ethan on a tour of the campus. It’s time you got to know him properly.”

Aria’s expression soured as though she had eaten a fly, but she forced a smile, knowing better than to outrightly defy her grandfather in front of everyone.

“Of course, Grandfather. I’ll be happy to show him around.” She said it sweetly, but her eyes glinted with malice.

With a curt nod, Henry turned away, signalling the end of the discussion. Margaret remained fuming, but it was clear that there was no winning this argument today.

As Aria and Ethan left the room, her parents exchanged looks of frustration.

“This is a disaster,” Edward muttered under his breath.

“I still can’t believe it. Look at him! He’s not fit to marry our daughter.” Eloise said in a dejected tone as she shook her head.

Meanwhile, the moment Aria and Ethan were out of sight, her sweet demeanour immediately disappeared and was replaced by cold, venomous anger.

“Listen to me,” she hissed, turning on Ethan with fire in her eyes. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but let me make one thing clear—I will never marry you.”

Ethan, still annoyed from the disturbance inside the villa, tried to maintain his composure.

“Look here, Aria. I’m not here to force anything on you. But—”

Still, before he could complete his sentence, she cut him off with a sharp laugh.

"Oh, please, spare me. You’re just another gold digger, trying to worm your way into this family. Well, let me tell you something you don’t know. You’ll definitely regret ever stepping foot here.”

Ethan’s temper flared, but he bit his tongue and calmed himself.

“Look, I’m not after your family’s money,” he said quietly.

"Sure, you’re not,” she sneered, rolling her eyes. “What else could someone like you want?”

“I’m trying to save you,” Ethan shot back, his voice calm but firm.

Aria burst into laughter. “Save me? You?”

“Don’t make me laugh. You can barely save yourself.” She scoffed, crossing her arms as she looked him up and down.

Ethan’s expression hardened, and for a moment, the calm mask he wore slipped.

“I’m very good at saving people,” he said, his voice somewhat irritated at Aria's constant jabs.

“Is that so?” Aria’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “And what exactly makes you think you can save anyone?”

“There are things about—” Ethan began to say, but Aria wasn’t listening.

“Oh please,” she interrupted, rolling her eyes again.

“You’re just bragging now. Whatever you think you know, it doesn’t matter. Because no matter what you do, I will never marry you.”