Chapter 192

The room fell into stunned silence at Reginald's outrageous suggestion.

Nathan's face darkened instantly, his fingers tightening around the porcelain teacup. "Grandfather, this isn't amusing."

Harrison Kingsley nearly choked on his Earl Grey tea, while Leonard Blackwood and Penelope Whitmore exchanged shocked glances.

Cassandra Blackwood hid a smirk behind her hand, thoroughly enjoying the unfolding drama.

"Harrison, if I recall correctly, you have three daughters?" Reginald continued, undeterred. "Has your family grown in recent years?"

"Still just the three girls," Harrison replied stiffly. "Nine children are quite enough for any man. I've no intention of expanding our household further."

Reginald stroked his chin thoughtfully. "And their marital statuses?"

"My sixth daughter, Cassandra, is happily married and living abroad. Arabella is still in university - far too young for such considerations." Harrison's tone turned protective. "And then there's my Evelyn."

At the mention of Evelyn's name, Nathan's hand jerked, nearly spilling his tea. His jaw clenched visibly.

"Ah yes, Evelyn! I remember her as a delightful child," Reginald beamed. "She must be... twenty-four now? Unmarried, I presume?"

"Not yet," Harrison confirmed, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Then what do you think of Nathan as a potential son-in-law?"

Harrison's teacup clattered against its saucer. The audacity! As if he'd ever let his precious Evelyn marry into this dysfunctional family. The mere thought made his blood boil.

"Grandfather, I'm already engaged," Nathan ground out, his voice dripping with barely contained fury. "Even if I weren't, Evelyn Kingsley would be the last woman I'd consider."

Harrison's face darkened like a thundercloud. "Young man, are you implying my daughter isn't good enough for you?" His voice dropped dangerously low. "Evelyn is the jewel of our family. When the Prime Minister's son and the Duke of Westminster came courting, I found them lacking. What makes you think you have the right to dismiss her so casually?"

The tension in the room became palpable. If not for Reginald's presence, Harrison might have thrown Nathan out the window.

"Miss Kingsley is undoubtedly accomplished," Nathan conceded coldly. "We've had business dealings. She's intelligent, driven, exceptional in every way." His dark eyes flashed. "But our personalities are fundamentally incompatible. No amount of forced proximity could change that. Should our paths cross, I'm certain we'd make excellent business associates - nothing more."

Harrison's expression softened slightly at the compliments to his daughter.

"Why wait for chance encounters?" Reginald clapped his hands together. "Let's arrange a meeting! Tomorrow, next week - whenever suits. Perhaps this 'incompatibility' isn't as insurmountable as you believe!" The old man's grin widened. "Consider it settled!"

Nathan's handsome features twisted in displeasure. The old fox was clearly trying to sabotage his engagement to Victoria by playing matchmaker blindfolded!

Penelope finally intervened. "Father, with all due respect, Nathan is practically betrothed to Victoria. Wouldn't this be inappropriate timing?"

"Practically isn't legally," Reginald countered, his smile vanishing. His piercing gaze silenced further objections. "Marriage contracts are like business negotiations - until the ink dries, everything remains negotiable!"

"But the engagement announcement has already been made," Penelope pressed. "Any last-minute changes would reflect poorly on Miss Kingsley's reputation."

Leonard quickly pulled his wife aside before she could provoke Reginald further.

The old patriarch's face turned crimson. A coughing fit wracked his frail frame, each hack more violent than the last.

Harrison sipped his tea impassively. What a circus! No sane father would subject his daughter to this vipers' nest.

"Get away from me!" Reginald wheezed between coughs. "Where's Evelyn? I want Evelyn!"

The old man gasped like a fish out of water. Evelyn had become his oxygen - without her calming presence, he could barely function.

"Come to think of it," Cassandra mused with feigned concern, "where has Miss Carter disappeared to?" Her lips curled in a secret, malicious smile.

As if on cue, Victoria Sterling glided into the room, her timing suspiciously perfect.

"Victoria dear," Cassandra called sweetly, "have you seen Evelyn? Grandfather's asking for her."

Victoria twisted her fingers nervously. "I... I did see her earlier." Her eyes darted about anxiously. "But I'm not sure I should say..."