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Chapter 616 I Disagree
After the ceremony was over, most people took their leave. The only ones who stayed were there for
the drama. Since most of the Woodleys were gone, Leanna and Aidan stood out. Nobody had seen
them before. If Naomi weren't here, they wouldn't think much about these two. However, now that she
was here, the fact that another man about the age of Lachlan stood around posed many questions.
And the fact that he resembled Lachlan a little piled more questions on.
Noticing the whispers, Philip looked at Aidan through his spectacles, though he probably didn't see him
clearly. A few coughs escaped his lips. "The ceremony has come to an end. The Elders, Charles,
Lachlan, and Naomi, stay here. Everyone else, proceed to the lobby, please."
The crowd made their way to the lobby. Nobody would go against Philip's orders, after all.
Charlotte tried to sneak away as well, but Philip said, "Ah, Charlotte, you will have to stay as well."
She pulled her foot back and stood beside her father.
Once everyone was gone, Philip picked up his teacup and blew on the tea. "One agenda at a time." He
looked at Charlotte. "And we're starting with you."
Charlotte tried to put on a coy act to get out of the matter. "Grandpa Philip…"
Philip took a sip of his tea. Charlotte's act would not work this time. He then raised his head. "You three
may come in now."
Aidan pursed his lips and entered with Leanna. Waylen looked around. Should I go in? He scratched
his head. F*ck it. I'll do it.
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The moment Aidan came in, Charlotte tried to hold his arm, but he dodged it. She was a little
intimidated by the look Aidan was giving her, but he was her only ticket out of the marriage with
Lachlan.
Charles coughed loudly, telling her to stop.
Charlotte pulled her hand back, but she didn't feel ashamed at all. "I have someone I like, Grandpa
Philip. And I'm not marrying my uncle."
A frown creased Charles' forehead. "Shut it. He's not your uncle."
"He is. You told me to call him that when I was a kid. I'm not going to change that now," rebutted
Charlotte.
"Charlotte, Lachlan's grandfather and I are cousins. There's barely any connection between you and
him now. It's alright. He's just your uncle by name. Not your real uncle."
Charlotte was about to say something, but the elders started coughing, and Charles shot her a
withering glare.
Just then, Lachlan said, "I object to this arrangement as well."
Lachlan's mother wanted to say something but stopped herself.
Lachlan continued, "I have no plans to raise a family just yet, and Charlotte's too young to be married."
One of the elders said, "Well, you can get engaged to her. The wedding can wait."
Unable to take it anymore, Charlotte snapped, "I said I have someone I like. You guys, it's the modern-
day now. Arranged marriage is a thing of the past, and I refuse to be a product of that tradition. I want
to pursue my own happiness. I will not be held hostage to the thoughts of a stubborn—" She stopped
mid-sentence, a searing pain coming from her cheek. Then, she looked at her father dumbly.
Charles screeched, "On your knees! Now!"
Tears welled in her eyes. She sobbed and tried to say something, but she had the feeling that the
moment she opened her mouth, only cries would come out. She bit her lip tightly and knelt behind
Naomi.
Seeing that, Waylen took a step back. Some sort of phantom pain came from his knees.
Lachlan frowned and looked at Charlotte, yet he said nothing.
Charles pulled his hand back and inhaled sharply. "She's still young. I'll be sure to whip her into shape."
The elders looked better after that. Philip let it slide, seeing that Charlotte was his great-granddaughter.
"Then, let us move on to the second agenda. I have recently caught wind of disturbing news. News that
one of us has gone to Highside. And news of some… unsettling matters. What say you, Lachlan?"
"He is. You told me to call him that when I was a kid. I'm not going to change that now," rebutted
Charlotte.
Lachlan answered coolly, "Nothing but rumors, I'm afraid. I shall deal with them accordingly."
"If a Woodley has left Jamesdon, then this is indeed grave news." Philip was still disgruntled about the
fact that Naomi had come back. He was using this as a precursor to what he would say next.
Lachlan responded, "I know. I sent Waylen, after all."
Did he just say that?! Waylen was stunned.
Philip and the elders shot Waylen a look. He felt a chill run down his spine and was reminded of the
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmslap Charlotte got. For some reason, his cheek was searing, too. He knelt without a second thought.
"Grandpa Philip, elders, I—"
"Something's going on in Highside. Someone's coming after the Woodleys. If I do not act, they will
destroy us," Lachlan interjected.
Philip held his cane silently. He remained in his seat with his eyelids closed. Leanna wondered if he
was deep in thought or just simply asleep. She turned to look at Aidan, who was silent, and she pursed
her lips.
One of the elders said, "Be that as it may, you should have consulted us before going through with that
decision. The rule must be upheld."
Unfazed, Lachlan said, "From the moment I took the helm, my grandfather told me I have absolute
power."
The elder flew into a rage. "Why you—"
Lachlan continued, "If you think that there is a better alternative, then I can always give my spot to
those who can do better."
With that, silence took the hall. Even though the elders had their own candidates, they couldn't and
wouldn't impeach Lachlan at the moment. The discussion that would follow was not something they
could bear.
"Very well," Philip said. "Lachlan is right. He is the family head. He has the right to call the shots without
informing any of us. That is final. But the fact that Waylen has gone to Highside cannot be overlooked.
He must kneel for now."
What? Waylen wanted to cry.
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