Chapter 173
Chapter 173
The Jackinans watched the Sullivan family's ostentatious display. From boasting about Brittany's stardom to inviting the renowned Gary's crew, it was clear they were trying to impress them. They suspected this was all to compensate for the fact that Paisley wasn't exactly presentable.
While Marianne
was momentarily excited to see Cary, the rest of the Jackman family, who didn't follow entertainment news, remained unimpressed. They still looked down on the Sullivan family. They didn't have much respect for an actress. Keith noticed that, compared to the unknown, unremarkable Paisley, his son seemed more interested in the younger daughter, Brittany.
But the Sullivan family had brushed them off with some excuse about Brittany having a boyfriend. The more Keith thought about it, the angrier he became, his gaze toward Gregory growing more disdainful.
"Gregory, what's the deal with Paisley? Does she think so little of my son and our family?" he asked.
"Exactly! How dare you match my son with some inferior woman! Marianne added, her tone sharp. The Jackman family was used to being courted and fawned over, Gregory had begged for this arrangement, yet here they were being disrespected
I've never lacked women. Who does she think she is, making me wait!" Baron sneered, his gaze toward Brittany growing increasingly vulgar and unsettling
Gregory's face turned pale with anger. In front of his wife, daughter, and Britany's crew, the Jackman family had shown no restraint in their insults. He didn't want to cause a scene in front of Brittany's crew or clash openly with the Jackmans, So, he directed all his pent- up anger at Paisley. Taking out his phone, he dialed Paisley's number with a fury. That ungrateful girl was clearly doing this on purpose to defy him.
If she dared not show up tonight, she could forget about ever stepping foot into the Sullivan family again. She might as well die out there.
As Gregory thought this, he fully expected Paisley to ignore his call. To his surprise, she answered after only two rings.
"You ungrateful
-" Gregory quickly realized the current setting wasn't appropriate. He forced himself to swallow his anger and questioned Paisley in low, restrained tone. "Where are you? Why aren't you here yet?" Deep down, he was worried she might flat-
out tell him she wasn't coming. After all, Paisley had always liked going against him, completely unlike Brittany, who was obedient and considerate.
If Paisley hadn't been this way, he wouldn't have favored Brittany so much in the past, nor would he have ignored Paisley completely during her years of running away. His neglect had been deliberate, a lesson to show her who held the power in their family. To his surprise, Paisley's tone was calm. There's traffic. I'll be there soon
Gregory felt his anger rise and choke him, unable to be released or suppressed. With a grim expression, he said. "When you get here, go straight to the private room. Everyone's already waiting" "Okay," she replied
Gregory wanted to remind her to watch her manners and not embarrass him, but she didn't give him the chance, hanging up abruptly. His face became more red, his anger stuck in his throat. Yet, given the occasion, he couldn't even curse at her.
The Jackman family already had reservations about Paisley as the match. He couldn't afford to deepen their bad impression of her. No matter what, he had to ensure Paisley and Baron's blind date was a success. If necessary, he wouldn't hesitate to
use force to make Paisley comply. With this thought, Gregory glanced at Baron, determination gleaming in his eyri.
"Baron, please wait
in the next room. My daughter will be here soon. It's her first blind date, so she's feeling a bit nervous. You know how ladies are-
please be understanding? Gregory forced a smile, racking his brain to make Paisley sound better.
Baron raised a thick eyebrow, smirking with mockery. "Oh! A shy little flower, huh?"
Gregory loathed Baron's demeanor but forced himself to respond due to the Jackman family's influence, "Uh, yes, exactly
Baron laughed loudly, his bulky frame abruptly rising from the chair, causing it to screech against the floor.
"I like them pure and innocent. Fine, I'll take a look," Haron said as he lumbered out. As he passed Brittany, he disgustingly threw her a wink.
Brittany felt sick to her stomach, her hands clenching tightly under the table. But beneath her revulsion was a sense of triumph. The thought of Paisley marrying such a repulsive man filled her with glee.
For as long as she could remember, even though she had Gregory and Christina's love, Paisley's mere existence had always been a shadow, a reminder that she wasn't the Sullivan family's biological daughter. She'd always known she was adopted from an orphanage by Christina. At the time, she had been the only child in the Sullivan family, making her position secure regardless of her bloodline. But then Paisley returned-
at just seventeen, escorted back by the police. Gregory and Christina were forced to fulfill their parental responsibilities, and it became public knowledge that Brittany was adopted, not the Sullivan family's true heiress. From then on, the word adopted became a permanent mark she could never erase. She hated Paisley- hated her biological status and wanted nothing more than to crush her forever.
Christina discreetly squeezed her hand under the table, giving her a reassuring and slightly relieved smile
She was thankful that it wasn't Brittany meeting Baron and even more thankful that Brittany had caught Dominick's attention and might one day marry into the Vanderbilt family.
As for Paisley, Christina hoped she would behave tonight and win Baron over. At least then she could contribute something to the Sullivan family. If she managed that, Christina might still acknowledge her as a daughter.