Chapter 1853:

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“I understand if you don’t. I was just as surprised when he told me,” Nina said earnestly, her expression laced with concern. “After all, it does seem out of character for him.”

“Then why make something up that you know doesn’t hold together?” Ellis asked plainly, dropping the pretense.

“I’m not making it up,” Nina insisted.

“Mm-hmm,” Ellis said, sounding thoroughly unconvinced.

“I’m really not making it up! If you don’t believe me, I’ll swear on it.”

“Then swear on this — if you’re lying, you and Damian will part ways,” Ellis said flatly, going straight for the jugular.

Nina stared at him, a trace of indignation in her eyes. Having a father that sharp wasn’t always a blessing.

𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴.𝘤𝘰𝘮

“I swear,” she said at last, attempting to bluff her way through. Then, barely above a whisper, she mumbled, “If I’m making this up, Damian and I will not part ways.”

The word “not” was spoken so softly and quickly it could easily have been missed.

But not by Freya and Ellis. Their ears were far too well-trained for that. “Will not?” they echoed together.

“Huh?” Nina blinked with practiced innocence.

“There’s no point in pretending anymore,” Ellis said, leaning back lazily. “That was far too obvious.”

Nina suddenly found herself at a complete loss for words.

Ellis didn’t bother softening it. “Jesse’s running the company now, and under his leadership, profits have climbed year after year. He’s even launched several startups and taken them public.”

“So?” Nina asked, playing dumb.

“He’s remarkably gifted in business,” Ellis said, hinting at something beneath the surface.

Nina stared, genuinely lost. She could never quite keep up with the way her father’s mind moved in these moments.

“He’s barely in his twenties — far too young to be rushing into marriage,” Ellis continued, reading the situation with ease. He could tell exactly what was going through his son’s head. “And if what you said were true — if we actually cared about Alayna’s background — Jesse would’ve simply built a company under her name and taken it public within a few years.”

With Jesse’s talent and connections, something like that would have been effortless. Once the company was public and thriving, Alayna’s standing would rise naturally, and any objections would dissolve on their own.

Nina wanted to argue, but had to admit the logic held. If their parents truly cared about family background, Jesse might very well have chosen exactly that route.

“So, are you going to tell us what he actually asked you to keep quiet?” Ellis looked at her directly.

“No,” Nina answered without wavering. “I promised him I wouldn’t say a word.”

Seeing her resolve, Ellis and Freya didn’t press further. They would speak to Jesse themselves. Marriage, after all, wasn’t something to take lightly.

That afternoon, while Ellis and Freya were resting after lunch, Nina called Jesse. “They found out.”

Jesse sounded completely calm. “Okay.”

Nina blinked, thrown by his total lack of reaction. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say?”

“Mom and Dad are sharp. Your acting skills are solid, but lies need airtight logic to hold up,” Jesse said evenly. “It’s not surprising they sensed something was off.”

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