Chapter 1638 - 1591: When Rivals in Love Meet

Yeats Howard thought of Marcus Quinn’s personality, which is described kindly as low-key but bluntly as reclusive. The Shaw Family has nothing to do with him; why would he attend Lana Shaw’s engagement party?

"Sure, how could I miss such an occasion? I’ll definitely be there." The Howard Family’s young master agreed readily, smiling as he watched them enter the private room. With a craving for nicotine, he stood in the hallway, smoked a cigarette, and then went inside.

When Yeats Howard entered the private room, Marcus Quinn had already ordered lunch, and the couple sat together admiring today’s bounty. Tara truly loved the diamond ring she bought and couldn’t part with it. She never imagined she’d own a pink diamond; though the Chase Family was affluent, her father was frugal, so Tara was usually restrained when buying luxury items.

She had never anticipated owning a ring worth millions.

"Wow." When Yeats Howard came in, he saw Tara’s eyes shimmering as she looked at her diamond ring. Beside her, Marcus Quinn patted his thigh and said, "I forgot about that. Brother Quinn, how do you plan to propose if you already bought a diamond ring with your little wife?"

Marcus Quinn hadn’t considered that at all. To him, they had long agreed to marry, and it was enough to register the marriage directly. He couldn’t pull off those extravagant gestures and hadn’t thought to do so.

The man looked at Tara, who sweetly smiled, "I have anthropophobia; I don’t need those ceremonies."

Tara knew well of Marcus’s goodness. Having endured dark times, although she converses with people without issues now, there’s been an intrinsic change—a reliance on Marcus, distrust of strangers, aversion to attention, and maintaining a safe distance from others.

Marcus tightened his grip on her hand, his gaze becoming deeper, without saying a word.

"You two really are a perfect match, one low-key and one simple," Yeats Howard murmured, curious but unsure what to say. His father often said Marcus Quinn was the most understated and simple among the children in their circle, and now Yeats Howard has to admit that.

Look at his two siblings, one a hedonist and the other spoilt, yet see Marcus: he went straight to the Military District after finishing school, disappeared after discharge, and now farms in the countryside. Luckily, he found a sweet, obedient girl.

"Little sister-in-law, which university did you graduate from? Don’t mind me, my brother is a closed book, says nothing, and I’m just curious." Yeats Howard recalled his mother’s task and idly chatted.

Tara paused for a moment and said, "I graduated from Oxford University, just returned last year."

The unlearned young master of the Howard Family gaped, his smile stiffening slightly. Oxford University? Wow, what was a dunce like him thinking asking such a question?

"Haha, little sister-in-law is a hidden scholar? I don’t know how my Brother Quinn persuaded you to be with him, haha." Yeats Howard realized he had killed the conversation, laughed awkwardly, then pulled Marcus Quinn aside.

"Brother Quinn, what’s the situation with little sister-in-law’s family?" Although Yeats Howard was a playboy among playboys, he was insightful, pulling Marcus to the window in the corridor, speaking quietly.

Yeats Howard had seen many children from prestigious families and found it strange that despite Tara’s appearance, temperament, discourse, and knowledge—which didn’t seem to come from a small family—Marcus Quinn, farming in the countryside, wouldn’t typically intersect with a girl like Tara.

"Her parents passed away, relatives aren’t kind, she’s alone outside. That’s about it," Marcus replied flatly. "Why, are you suspicious?"

Yeats Howard: "..."

Yeats Howard’s heart raced slightly, blood pressure seemingly rising, he whispered, "You’ve discussed marriage and should visit her family; not all relatives can be villains, right? I’m worried you’re too honest. You know the Duncan Family always thinks your grandfather left you a secret large inheritance; if they have any schemes, better safe than sorry."

Marcus Quinn: "..."

Marcus naturally couldn’t tell how he and Tara met—being captive for a year had tarnished her reputation. He’d already investigated some matters by the Seacoast, but couldn’t share these with Yeats Howard.

"My mom said the two families’ elders should meet; the marriage process needs to be followed, and relatives introduced." Yeats Howard was anxious enough to stomp his feet. Marcus Quinn was remarkably sincere and honest—the way his unscrupulous father treated him was proof enough. This tall and mighty man had a formidably honest character.

Marcus Quinn wasn’t one of those playboys with a toolkit for wooing women; how Tara found Marcus appealing seemed increasingly odd to Yeats Howard.

Marcus patted Yeats Howard’s shoulder and said, "Yeats, you must understand, in matters of love, if it doesn’t work out, the girl usually suffers more. I’ll visit the Seacoast after the New Year, and we’ll see about the elders meeting based on the situation there."

Yeats Howard could only agree with that.

"Brother Quinn, don’t blame me for being nosy. After all these years of absence, your family couldn’t find you, and suddenly you bring a little sister-in-law back. Naturally, I’m curious and asked a few more questions."

"Alright, I know you’re all concerned about me." Marcus nodded, not blaming Yeats Howard for thinking too much. Being born into the Howard Family, if Yeats Howard were na?ve and sweet, the problem would be severe.

"Why are you here, Mr. Howard? What a coincidence!" an excited voice sounded.

Marcus Quinn and Yeats Howard looked over. A man in a black-and-white checked suit with a dark red tie, fair and handsome, stood out in the crowd.

"It’s Mr. Yarn! What a coincidence! Are you here for Sister Lana?" Yeats Howard greeted with a smile upon seeing Caspian Yarn. Though he wasn’t familiar with him, Caspian Yarn had been quite active in the Imperial City’s prestigious circle lately; everyone appreciated him because of the Shaw Family.

Yeats Howard thought if Caspian married Lana, he’d become related to Richard Shaw and need to give some respect.

"I’m here to pick up Lana. Who’s this?" Caspian Yarn looked at Marcus Quinn, filtering through memories but confirming he had never seen this man before. Seeing Yeats Howard’s familiarity with him seemed like no ordinary person.

The man exuded a fierce aura as sharp as a sword, his features somewhat intimidating, not resembling family scions in the prestigious circle.

"He’s a friend of mine." Yeats hadn’t intended to introduce them. A worldly-wise person like Caspian Yarn wasn’t of the same kind as Marcus Quinn—no need to know each other. Without Caspian’s connection to the Shaw Family, Yeats would likely have nothing to say to him.

Caspian Yarn’s actions are all-encompassing. Seeing through his smooth, seemingly perfect facade with practiced eyes, Yeats could discern the perfect mask Caspian Yarn wore.