His Destructive, Toxic Love

His eyes scrutinized Casper with an unabashed intensity, like a future father-in-law sizing up his daughter's boyfriend and finding him increasingly lacking. "I heard you've been married before?" Ronan's voice was slow and deep, carrying a hint of disdain.

No one expected Ronan's first question to be this.

Dillon's heart sank, his eyes involuntarily drawn to the scornful curl of Ronan's lips. This was just plain dumb.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Susan was also taken aback. "Dad, you're saying Casper was married before? To whom? How come I didn't know? And where did you hear this?"

"That's not important," Ronan gently patted Susan's hand on his arm, signaling her not to worry. "What matters is that from now on, he needs to be completely devoted to you. You're entering your first marriage, but this is his second."

Dillon was exasperated. With Casper's qualifications, forget a second marriage. Third, fourth, fifth people would still line up to marry him. Was Ronan trying to elevate himself by putting Casper down? Had he forgotten why he came to Falconridge? If he wanted to use the Welton family as leverage to expand his own business, he should be humble, not act like he's bestowing a favor by marrying his daughter to Casper.

Did he not understand Casper's temperament, or did he think Casper was an easy target?

Casper chuckled mockingly, looking at Ronan. "Mr. Ronan, you've done your homework. Not only have I been married, but I'm also not divorced yet. I even have a child, so I really don't measure up to your precious daughter."

Susan was stunned. What did she just hear? Casper wasn't divorced yet? So if she got involved with him, she'd be the other woman? A wealthy heiress like her, becoming a mistress? But she had never seen Casper's wife. Could her father's reckless words have angered Casper, making him say this on purpose?

Susan's uncertain gaze shifted from Casper's face to Dillon's, but Dillon avoided her eyes. Without an answer, her gaze returned to Casper.

"Casper, you're joking, right?"

Casper massaged his temples,

glanced at Susan, and then leaned back into the sofa. He pulled out a cigarette lighting it as if no one else was there, and Dillon offered him a lighter. The cigarette ignited, and pate smoke slowly spread out...

Ronan was irked by Casper's attitude, his expression darkening. "What do you mean by this, Mr. Casper?"

Casper took a slow drag, chuckling as he looked at Ronan. "What do you mean, Mr. Ronan?"

"Am I not stating the facts?" Although Casper's marriage wasn't public, everyone in Falconridge knew he was married. "I never said Susan can't marry you because you've been married. Why the hostility towards me?"

"Are you saying I'm not showing enough appreciation, Mr. Ronan?" Though Casper's face bore a smile, each word was filled with biting chill.

Sensing something was off, Susan

tried to deescalate. "Dad, let's not discuss personal matters at the

office. Didn't you say you had business to discuss with Casper? Why don't you focus on that?"

AQUMS

Ronan had intended to scare Casper a bit before discussing business, to better control him. Clearly, this was a wild horse, not easily tamed.

"Business can wait. I've just arrived in Falconridge; it's proper to meet Mr. Casper's parents first and settle your marriage."