As the newcomer gradually drew closer, everyone caught sight of him.
Upon recognizing him, nearly everyone froze in place. It wasn't until he was right in front of them that they realized they were blocking his way. They quickly stepped back to let him pass.
The newcomer was none other than Ezra.
His presence prompted a long, perplexed stare from those gathered. Everyone needed a moment to absorb and confirm that it was indeed Ezra standing before them.
But if Ezra was here, then who was the man in the corner with Rose?
Confusion swept through the room, leaving everyone, especially Lizzie, completely dumbfounded.
The second she saw Ezra, the smug look in her eyes vanished, replaced by a single question that kept echoing in her mind.
"What is Ezra doing here? This is not where he was supposed to be! Shouldn't he have been with Rose? If Ezra stood here now, then who is with Rose?"
Before Lizzie could process it further, Ezra's voice cut through the eerie silence of the greenhouse, his words like a haunting echo in her ears.
"Grandma, I do believe I'll be a good husband someday, but..." Ezra paused, his features etched with a mix of puzzlement and defiance. When he spoke again, his tone was resolute and clear.
"What does that have to do with Ms Shaffer's happiness?" His innocent expression made him seem like a child wrongly accused of some misdeed.
Eleanor finally snapped out of her daze and looked at the towering figure before her. It really was Ezra!
"Ezra..." His question echoed in her mind. "What does that have to do with Ms Shaffer's happiness?"
Indeed, with Ezra standing right here, he couldn't possibly be the man with Rose. So, Rose's happiness was entirely unrelated to him. But if not Ezra, then who?
A sense of unease crept over Eleanor for the first time.
"Could the opportunity that's almost within the Finch family's grasp really be slipping away just like that?" she mused.
Eleanor couldn't help but fear what the truth in the corner might reveal. She dreaded that unveiling the mystery would lead to bitter disappointment. Nevertheless, the truth inevitably had to surface.
"Mr. Xanth, Grandma…" Just then, a deep and resonant voice cut through the tense atmosphere, laced with impatience and displeasure.
Eleanor jolted, as did everyone else. All eyes immediately turned to the man in the corner who had spoken. The voice had come from the man shielding Rose.
That voice…
"M-Mr. Jonathan!" A gasp then rang out.
Recognition dawned on everyone familiar with Jonathan's voice.
It was unmistakably Jonathan, for only his voice held such an authoritative weight that mere words filled the space with suffocating pressure.
But how could the person with Rose be Jonathan? The suggestion alone sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Meanwhile, Lizzie's heart had already plummeted the moment Jonathan spoke. She stared at the figure in the corner. If it wasn't Ezra, then it could only be Jonathan.
"But how could it be Jonathan? Where had it all gone wrong?" she thought.
Lizzie's mind was in turmoil, her heart pounding with a mix of frustration and disbelief. Her frantic gaze swept across the room, desperately hoping to find Carl and demand an explanation from him. Alas, Carl was nowhere to be found.
Just then, Eleanor's voice snapped Lizzie back to reality. "Jonathan? It's you... it's really you..."
The initial surprise in her voice gave way to undisguised delight. She took a few excited steps toward the corner, her eyes confirming what her ears had already told her.
For a moment, people couldn't decide whether to think Rose had landed herself a great catch or if they should be envious of the Finch family for establishing such a valuable connection first.
Meanwhile, Eleanor was still immersed in the revelation that the man in the corner had been Jonathan, and the woman with him was Rose. She had not even noticed Jonathan referring to Rose as his wife.
At that moment, her mind was bursting with excitement.
"This is simply wonderful!" Her inner delight bubbled over, prompting her to seize the moment.
"Mr. Xanth," Eleanor began, her voice brimming with joy, "don't you think Jonathan and Rosie make a perfect match?"
She continued, "Jonathan's capabilities are well-known to everyone, and he's never been interested in any woman before. But with Rosie, it's clear that she's truly special to him. Since their feelings for each other are mutual…"
Eleanor could hardly contain her elation, her face brightened by a broad smile. She longed to arrange the wedding immediately but knew she must first secure the approval of the Xanth family.
However, her enthusiasm was swiftly dampened by a cold response.
"And just what makes you think their feelings are mutual?"
The icy voice belonged to Elijah, his tone unmistakably cold.
Eleanor froze. She wanted to say, given the situation just now, what else could it be if not mutual affection?
However, considering the Xanth family's stance, she kept her words in check and maintained her smile. "Regardless of the circumstances, Jonathan will assume responsibility. The Finch family will also do what is necessary."
She was resolved to see Jonathan take full responsibility. However, Elijah wasn't in any rush. He fixed his gaze on Eleanor, his words pointed.
"Handle the matters within your Finch family first. We can discuss everything else later."
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