In the living room, Elaine kept a smile plastered on her face as she apologized to my dad again and again. "Mr. Preston, Sophie was just confused for a moment. You can't call off the engagement over something like this." My dad let out a cold snort. "Since the Bennett family already has a son-in-law in mind, why come begging for someone else?" Richard, who had been silent until then, finally spoke up. "That's not a fair way to put it. Sean is ill, and Sophie only looked after him out of kindness." Then, he turned to me, his tone easing into something almost conciliatory. "Max, we've already talked this through. If you're willing to move past it, we'll treat Sean as Sophie's godbrother from now on. Or, we can arrange for him to be sent away if that makes you uncomfortable. He won't be stepping into your home again." He paused, then went on as though he were offering a perfectly reasonable compromise. "You're a grown man, Max. Try to be a little more generous. Sophie still ca
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