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Noah majestically walked over to them in the spacious living room with such an aura as his presence filled the room, along with his delicious scent.

He wore a white long sleeves with black office trousers and oxford shoes.

The buttons were undone from his neck to his chest and his silky hair neatly trimmed to the back.

“Mr. Grey.” Franklin hurried to him. “I was just about leaving for the meeting.” He bowed a little.

“You bastard!” Vera's mouth sharply dropped.

“Vera!” Joyce gasped and held her daughter back from confronting Noah for whatever reason it was.

“Behave yourself!” She whispered, throwing a fake smile at Noah. “Forgive her manners, she just got back into the country, jet lag perhaps?”

“Do not speak for me!” Vera peeled herself off Joyce. “Do you know what this man…”

“Shut up Vera!” Franklin firmly said, trying to hide his nervousness.

“Daddy!”

“Vee, please.” Joan looked over to her.

“Fine.” Vera hissed.

“Vera this is Noah, I'm pretty sure you remember him?” Franklin said. “He is your future brother-in-law.”

Realization slowly settled on her face.

He looks like a completely different person. The last time she saw him was years ago and he wasn't as hot as this.

Did she just call him hot!?

Noah finally looked over to her as their eyes met.

She didn't miss the dark look in his eyes.

And the way he just stood there, calm and collected was even more annoying.

She wanted to make him mad and annoy the shit out of him but his composure was on another level.

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes.

“Please forgive her, Mr. Grey.” Joyce threw an angry look over to her daughter.

Joan looked over to him and they locked eyes.

“Go to your room!” Franklin angrily ordered.

“That's better than entertaining this bullshit.” She picked her purse and angrily stormed upstairs.

It was so unfortunate that this arrogant bastard was going to marry her only sweet sister. So unfortunate.

They wouldn't make a good pair because her sister is a free spirited sweet, adorable woman and she deserves better than a conceited hypocrite.

Oh poor Joan.

She agreed to this goddamn marriage because of their family.

If only there was a way to call off that so called wedding.

“Please don't be mad, Mr. Grey.” Joyce pleaded again.

“Put her in line.” Noah tightly commanded.

“Yes, yes, I will.” Franklin nodded.

Noah turned to look at Joan one more time.

“Go get him tea!” Joyce pushed her a little. “Don't just stand there, make yourself useful!”

“I believe there are servants for that?” His voice deepened with anger. “And I also believe I pay them well to get me tea? Or do I need to fire each and every one of them, including you?”

“Forgive me.” Joyce bowed a little. “Please have a seat.”

Joan is his wife to be, why don't they understand that that title alone puts her above them?

If they don't want to respect her as their daughter or as a human, they shouldn't cross the line when it comes to his wife.

“Joyce, you'll go over to my house and arrange the files in my study while you, Franklin, my cars weren't packed well this morning, will you?” Noah said without the slightest bit of emotion on his face.

“Sir…” Joyce protested.

“Do I hear a complain?” Noah's right brow slowly lifted.

“No.” Franklin shook his head. “We will do it.”

“I want to have a word with you.” Noah said to Joan. “Outside, in my car.” With that, he turned and walked out.

Joan looked at her parents before following him out into his SUV.

“What was that!?” She flared up.

“Did you see the way they treated you!?” He was already irritated that she was taking their side, again.

“We talked about it!”

“I don't fucking care!” He hit the wheel with frustration.

“I'm leaving.” She angrily said but the door wouldn't open. “Unlock the door.”

“Sit your fucking ass down!”

“Don't talk to me like that!”

“I'm sorry!” He breathed.

Tears slowly filled her eyes. “Leave them alone, please.”

Noah ignited the car and drove away from the house.

“Where are we going? You said you wanted to talk, stop the car.”

“You're angry at me.”

“And don't I have a reason to be?” She looked at him.

“Peanuts, please.”

Joan moved towards the door and watched the road as he sped away.

Noah finally parked into a private suite, which Joan was very much familiar with.

“Stop ignoring me.” He said behind, following her into their bedroom. “Love,”

“Noah,” She suddenly turned to him. “You promised.” She breathed.

He looked at her for a while. “I'm sorry I defended you. I'm sorry I made them understand they need to stop walking all over you. I'm sorry I love you so very much that I can't bear to watch them treat you like that.”

Joan sadly sighed as she slowly sat at the edge of the bed.

Noah walked to the bottle of whiskey on the table close to the balcony doors.

“Don't drink.” She warned but he poured himself a glass still. “You heard me.”

He paused and turned to look at her. “Then tell me what to do.”

“Come here.” She stood up while he walked back to her. “I do appreciate that you always look out for me.” She started when he stood in front of her.

“But they are your family so I should take it easy on them because you love them so much but they don't love you as much because they prefer your wild and spoiled sister who doesn't even know what sacrifices are.”

“Noah.”

“No I get it. Love, you stood there and watched them push you aside like you're nothing! Vera is where is she because of you! You made the sacrifices! She has no idea what life is all about.” He was slowly losing his temper.

“She's just a girl. She's just a little girl.” Joan defended.

“She's a year younger, a fucking year!”

“I don't want to do this with you.” She sat back down.

“Peanuts,” He knelt in front of her. “You're going to be my wife. I will not take any form of disrespect from them, do you understand?”

Joan sadly cupped his face.

He took her hands into his and kissed them.

“Let me love you.”