Chapter 156: Brooke York Loses It Again

Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Brooke York Loses It Again

"The marriage contract has already been destroyed. Besides, I never once said that I wanted Brooke York and our Ethan to get together, did I?"

The air seemed to freeze. Miles York, who was holding a teacup, paused, the plastered-on smile on his face fading slightly. He had assumed the Prescott family’s decision to call off the engagement with Chloe York was merely a strategic move. He believed that, when all was said and done, they still intended to arrange a marriage between Ethan Prescott and Brooke York.

After all, Brooke York was the York family’s legitimate, biological daughter. She was beautiful, and her family status was a perfect match. In his eyes, this marriage was a foregone conclusion. The Prescott family had no reason to refuse.

He chuckled and looked at Sophia Quinn, his tone a confident, probing one. "Mrs. Prescott, I know the engagement between Chloe and Ethan is off. However, I can’t help but feel that fate isn’t done with our children yet. The Prescott and York families have been friends for generations. Why not have Ethan and Brooke get engaged instead? We could bring our families even closer. Wouldn’t that be for the best?"

The moment he spoke, Brooke York, who was sitting to the side, instantly straightened her spine. Excitement and anticipation were written all over her face. Her eyes sparkled as she stared at Sophia Quinn, eagerly awaiting her assent.

’To her, Sophia Quinn’s words just now were simply a test, to see what the Yorks were thinking.’

She had long dreamed of marrying Ethan Prescott and becoming the Young Madam of the Prescott family. That way, she could finally put Chloe York in her place. Now that Miles York had brought it up, she was certain the engagement was a done deal.

Alice Cole chimed in from the side, her face wreathed in smiles. "Exactly, Mr. Quinn! Brooke and Ethan are a perfect match—he’s handsome and talented, and she’s a true beauty! A marriage alliance would benefit both the Prescott and York families. Please, just give it some more thought!"

However, Sophia Quinn’s reaction caught everyone completely off guard.

She sat poised on the sofa, her posture elegant, her expression impassive. Her cool gaze swept lightly over Miles York, then flickered past the expectant Brooke York. Her tone was civil yet carried an indisputable, chilly aloofness as she cut straight to the point, "Mr. York, there’s nothing to consider."

Those five simple words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing all of Brooke York’s hopes.

Sophia Quinn’s tone was flat, completely unapologetic. "In the Prescott family," she continued, "we base marriages on our children’s feelings, not on family background. Ethan has his own mind, and he has no romantic feelings for your daughter, Brooke York. You can’t force a horse to drink. There is no need to force a marriage between two children for the sake of a so-called generational friendship."

She paused, her gaze falling on Brooke York’s face. With a detached sort of courtesy, she added, "Furthermore, in my opinion, Ethan and Brooke York are not suited."

Those three words pierced Brooke York’s heart like a dagger.

The color instantly drained from her face, leaving it deathly pale. The hopeful light in her eyes died, replaced by a mixture of embarrassment, jealousy, and a flicker of anger she couldn’t hide.

She clenched the hem of her skirt, her nails digging deep into her palms. Forcing down the resentment and fury boiling inside her, she squeezed out a strained smile, attempting to preserve her last shred of dignity. "Mrs. Prescott, I am the biological daughter of the York family. This marriage was arranged by the elders of our two families. I believe we should defer to their wisdom."

Although Brooke York’s words sounded perfectly reasonable, the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her profound inner turmoil.

’She had never imagined the Prescott family would refuse so bluntly, even going so far as to say they ’are not suited.’ It was a complete and utter humiliation for her, the true heiress of the York family.’

Alice Cole couldn’t bear to watch any longer. Seeing Brooke York so aggrieved, she flew into a rage, completely losing her composure. She slammed her hand on the table, pointed a finger at Sophia Quinn, and began to rail, "Sophia Quinn! What the hell is that supposed to mean? In what way is our Brooke not good enough for your son? Did you have to be so utterly disrespectful, saying they aren’t suited right in front of everyone? I see what this is—you just look down on the York family!"

Alice Cole’s outburst instantly plunged the private room into a tense stalemate. The color drained from Miles York’s face as he quickly grabbed her arm, hissing, "Alice, shut your mouth!"

He shot her a fierce glare, warning her to stop spouting nonsense. He was mortified.

Alice’s outburst hadn’t helped Brooke in the slightest. On the contrary, it had only made the York family look even more pathetic in front of Sophia Quinn.

Miles York forced a smile and apologized profusely to Sophia Quinn. "Mrs. Prescott, my deepest apologies. Alice... she just speaks without thinking. She doesn’t know any better. Please, don’t hold it against her."

Sophia Quinn, however, remained utterly unfazed. Maintaining her aloof posture, she flicked a cool glance at Alice, her tone perfectly even. "One should think before one speaks. It’s a fundamental principle of basic decency."

Her gaze returned to Miles York, her tone now carrying a formal, business-like detachment. "Mr. York, let me be perfectly clear today. Regarding Ethan Prescott’s marriage, I will not allow him to marry any young lady from the York family. On this matter, I trust the York family will not waste any more of its efforts."

With that said, Sophia Quinn helped Miss Prescott to her feet, and they left.

Brooke York stood frozen, watching Sophia Quinn’s retreating back. A storm of embarrassment, jealousy, and rage warred on her face. She bit her lower lip so hard she nearly drew blood, just to keep herself from crying.

’Jealousy sprouted in her heart like wild weeds. She was jealous that Chloe York had once been engaged to Ethan Prescott. She was even more jealous of the approval Sophia Quinn had shown Chloe. And now, when she—the real heiress—tried to secure the marriage, she was rejected so thoroughly. How could she not be furious?’

Alice Cole was still fuming beside them, utterly incensed. She had thought they were coming here to gain prestige; instead, they had been utterly humiliated.

’Brooke York’s heart churned with anger and regret. More than anything, she hated Chloe York for having stolen the spotlight that should have been hers.’

’But she could only swallow all her emotions and force a calm expression onto her face, even as a tempest raged within her. Her dream of this marriage alliance had been shattered to pieces.’

She realized she couldn’t stomach the humiliation after all. Leaving Miles York and Alice Cole behind, she bolted.

"Brooke! Brooke!" Seeing her daughter suddenly run off, Alice Cole grew worried and tried to chase after her.

Miles York pulled her back. "That’s enough. What’s the point of chasing her now? She needs to cool down by herself. You going after her won’t change a thing."

"Miles, didn’t you see? The Prescott family has no respect for us! They’re just bullying Brooke! And I refuse to believe Chloe York doesn’t have something to do with this."

Hearing Alice bring up Chloe York again, Miles York felt a headache coming on. He bit out two words: "Go home!"

Furious, Brooke York hailed a cab and headed straight for Southbend University to find Chloe York.

She had forgotten, however, that it was Sunday. Chloe York wouldn’t be at school; she’d be at her rented apartment.

So she headed directly for the apartment Chloe was renting. Thanks to her constant stalking and surveillance, she knew exactly which floor and which unit Chloe lived in.

Arriving at the door, she began to pound on it furiously, screaming Chloe York’s name.

The neat bun she had so carefully styled was now mostly a wreck, and she looked like a complete madwoman.