Chapter 8 She Was Hit

Their agenda extended beyond merely pushing her out. "The Grant family came to propose a marriage," William mentioned. Amanda had heard about this from the servant, Jessie. Violet was unwilling to marry into the Grant family, complaining that Matthew was too ugly and that marrying him would be like living a widow's life. Violet didn't want Matthew, so they turned to her. "Dad, I'm still in school," Amanda retorted with a smile. She was supposed to marry Wilson after graduating from university, but now William was pressuring her to marry someone else. "The Grants aren't saying you should get married right away, just stay with them for a while," William suggested with a cold smile. As a father, he should be protecting his daughter, not plotting her marriage to a stranger! "Dad, the Grants actually want Violet, don't they?" William fell silent, not answering immediately. "You see, Violet and Wilson are in love; I can't just break them up," William feigned difficulty, "The Grants have a high standing in Yotania, Amanda. We can't afford to offend them." "Being married into the Grant family would be a blessing." "If it were the Sovania family, Wilson doesn't love you, and you would be mistreated." He spoke as if truly considering Amanda's welfare. "Dad, I'm not afraid of being mistreated," she said firmly. "Since Wilson and I are engaged, let's stick to that." "The Grant family is so great, let Violet go," she said deliberately, angering William enough to darken his expression. His facade of a loving father lasted less than ten minutes before his true intentions surfaced. "Amanda, you'll take Violet's place and go to the Grant family." "Why should I!" she demanded, unable to hold back her indignation. William was displeased by her defiance, "I've said all there is to say." "Going to the Grant family is for your own good." Decisions were being made for her! "I'm the one engaged to Wilson, and the Grant family wants Violet." "I'm not going to the Grant family." She was unwilling to marry a stranger and gamble with her life. William was taken aback by her blunt refusal; he didn't erupt in anger but simply watched her and chuckled. "Amanda, I think I should call a doctor for Rachel." That sentence hit Amanda hard; William knew exactly what her weakness was. Unwilling to marry into the Grant family, he played this card. At that moment, her body trembled uncontrollably as she watched William's smiling face, tears uncontrollably streaming down, blurring her vision and making the sight of him unbearably repulsive. He was using his elder daughter to force his younger one into marriage with a man who was a stranger to love. Reflecting on the past fortnight, Amanda smirked coldly. First, they wanted her to replace Violet in the Grant family, and now they were forcing her to break off her engagement. She disagreed, so William played his strongest card to coerce her. It worked every time, always making Amanda compromise. As she reached the top floor, she composed herself. No matter how upset she was, she couldn't show it in front of Rachel. The commotion at the door earlier had not escaped him. Violet pouted, acquiescing under Grace's urging with a resigned "okay." After William left, Violet, unable to restrain her temper, headed to the top floor to confront Amanda but was stopped by Grace's grasp. Amanda not only hit her but also ignored the issue of the jade pendant entirely.