The wind from outside is getting stronger. My eyes are getting moist.

Oscar continued, “I’ve decided that Abel shall bear responsibility for what happened to Alana and take her as his wife. Looking at Alana’s condition, he will be engaged to her first, and the wedding ceremony will be held once Alana recovers.”

The atmosphere in the study seemed to have frozen.

After a short pause, Adrien began to applaud, followed by Adam, Landen and his wife, and finally Lewis and his wife.

Everyone then turned their heads toward Abel and saw that he was looking at Emmeline.

Alana lowered her head shyly and rested her clasped hands on her legs.

“Wait.” Abel stood up, which nearly caused Alan to topple.

He straightened her and was about to speak when Oscar interjected, “If you have anything to say, wait until I’m done speaking. Don’t disrupt the agenda.”

Abel could only sit down again.

Oscar continued, “Adrien, your three children are already four years old, and you haven’t settled your business. If I were you, I would’ve already put a ring on her finger and brought her home!”

Adrien stood up. He was about to cheer when Emmeline stood up and said, “It looks like weddings are the rage nowadays, Mr. Ryker. Adrien can put a ring on whoever he wants, but leave me out of it!”

“That’s not up to you to decide!” Oscar snorted coldly.

Adrien was anxious. “Wouldn’t that be good, Emma? Why can’t you be grateful? Every woman dreams about being taken into the Ryker household!”

“I’m not a dreamer, and it’s not up for negotiations!” Emmeline said.

Julianna stood up. “Emmeline, won’t you consider it for your children? Every child deserves a complete family. If you marry Adrien, at least the triplets won’t have to deal with a stepfather. Even I had to make sacrifices when I married Landen. No woman could possibly tolerate…”

“Ahem!” Landen grabbed Julianna’s wrist and pulled her down.

Julianna was caught by surprise and nearly fell. Adam helped her to her seat.

Even though Landen stopped his wife from finishing her statement, Emmeline could understand what she was trying to say.

Looks like Landen isn’t loyal, but Julianna bore with it because of their two sons.

By her logic, Emmeline should marry Adrien because the children needed their biological father.

To Emmeline, that was totally out of the question. She could not bear the thought of marrying Adrien.

“No. Things are different now. My job can sustain my three children. I won’t marry a man I don’t like and sacrifice my happiness. Okay, next topic on the agenda, Mr. Ryker.”

Oscar was furious. Who do you think you are, Emmeline? It’s not up to you to decide!

He slammed the table and said, “Mind your manners, Emmeline. It’s decided you will marry Adrien. If you don’t agree to it, don’t think you can leave Struyria alive.”

Slam! Emmeline slammed her hands on Adrien’s shoulders.

She did not have a table in front of her, so she had to reach for the closest thing to her.

“Oww!” Adrien nearly fell off the chair.

“He?” Emmeline pointed at Adrien. “What use do I have for a useless bum? Worship him like a deity?”

Adrien was angry. “Who are you calling useless, Emmeline?”

“You are useless, Adrien! You can’t even perform in bed! What’s the point of marrying an impotent man? Hm? Hm?”

Everyone stared at Adrien.

Adrien was flustered. “Why are you looking at me like that? Who says I’m impotent?”