A Night of Desire

Chapter 404 - 397: Sarah’s Marriage

His expression softened considerably, and he smiled affectionately. "Autumn, I’m sorry for what you went through today. Does your face still hurt?"

"I’m fine, Dad." Autumn Shelby seemed very well-behaved and understanding. As she spoke, she reached up to touch her face. And though she insisted she was fine, her hand faltered, and her smile stiffened.

Evan Shelby could clearly see she was just putting on a brave face to reassure him, and his heart ached for her. He said quickly, "Even if it doesn’t hurt, you should still put some ice on it to keep it from swelling. Our Autumn has done a great service for the Shelby Family. You took care of Seth Quinn and the Quinn Family, which means I can certainly take care of anyone else who tries to cause trouble for you. Autumn, just you wait. You’re going to be the young mistress of the Quinn Family."

Autumn Shelby’s face broke into a radiant smile. "Thank you, Dad. Well, Mom, Dad, I’ll head out first. I’ll leave you two to talk."

Evan Shelby nodded, his eyes following her out the door. He then pulled his gaze back and sat down in a chair.

Yvette Zimmerman also looked away from the door, turning to Evan Shelby. She spoke tentatively, "Evan, remember when I mentioned Sarah’s marriage? Well, I have someone in mind."

"Which family?" Evan Shelby looked at her. After what had just happened, his stance on Sarah Shelby’s marriage was clearly not as firm as it once was.

Yvette Zimmerman’s eyes lit up at his response. "The Stratton Family," she answered.

"The Stratton Family?" Evan Shelby frowned slightly, seeming unable to place the name at first.

"The one that’s connected to the Linden Family by marriage," Yvette Zimmerman prompted.

Realization dawned on Evan Shelby. "The Strattons may be in decline, but their connection to the Linden Family is a major advantage. An alliance with them would be like building a bridge to the Lindens. Still, which of the Strattons do you have in mind?"

"Why, the eldest young master of the Stratton Family, Ewan Stratton."

"Ewan Stratton? Isn’t he crippled? Besides, they say that ever since his accident, his personality has become extremely eccentric and capricious." Evan Shelby grew hesitant again.

"Oh, that’s just outside gossip," Yvette Zimmerman quickly explained, hoping to dispel his doubts. "Mrs. Linden told me herself. Ewan Stratton has simply become more reserved and unsociable, that’s all. It’s not that he’s eccentric or capricious."

"Besides, it’s true he’s disabled now, but that doesn’t mean he’ll never be able to stand again. The doctors said there’s a chance his legs could recover. It’s just that he’s lost heart and refuses to do physical therapy, so he hasn’t shown any improvement."

"Is that so?" Evan Shelby looked away, his gaze fixing on a spot on the table as he fell into thought. "But that’s just Mrs. Linden’s version of events. We can’t trust it completely... Aren’t there any other suitable young men in the Stratton family?"

’He was quite satisfied with the Strattons as potential in-laws. After all, the Shelbys didn’t have the standing to arrange a marriage with the Linden Family directly. Having the Strattons act as a bridge would, at the very least, establish a connection between the Shelby and Linden families.’

’But when it came to Ewan Stratton himself, he was still hesitant.’

’After all, his daughter was a perfectly healthy, beautiful young woman, and she would have to marry a cripple with an unknown chance of recovery...’

Yvette Zimmerman could see his hesitation and immediately pressed her point. "Why consider the other sons? A daughter of the Shelby Family must marry the eldest son, the primary heir. Ewan Stratton may be disabled, but he is still the Stratton Family Head.

"To be frank, given Sarah’s standing, she wouldn’t have even been considered worthy of marrying Ewan Stratton if his family hadn’t declined. Even now, with their family’s reduced circumstances, countless other families are still clamoring to marry their daughters off to him."