Meanwhile, Jordan and Maddy were driving their car toward the Bransons’ manor.

Throughout the journey, Maddy stared silently out the window at the traffic, her eyes red and swollen.

Jordan knew that Maddy was in low spirits because of the various incidents that had happened at the Stones’, but he didn’t know how to comfort her because the matter mainly concerned her father. He didn’t know what to say or do.

Suddenly, Maddy asked, “Jordan, do you think that power and interests are really more important than familial ties and kinship?”

Jordan sighed. “This is only the choice of a small number of people, right? It’s just like how Lucas left all his power, authority, and status behind without hesitation just so that he could stay by the side of the people he loves and cares about.

“To me, no power and benefit can compare to a smile from someone I cherish.

“Maddy, I don’t know what to say about what happened earlier. But I can actually feel that although Carlos may seem heartless for chasing you out of the family and angering Geoffrey, he’s actually feeling terrible too.

“Maybe he’s muddled for the moment, but I believe that he’ll come to his senses when he realizes his mistakes in the future.”

Jordan comforted Maddy while driving.

Maddy smiled bitterly. “I know you’re just trying to comfort me. My father is beyond hope. I don’t expect him to wake up and turn over a new leaf since he always stubbornly insists on his ideas. Besides, even if he really changes his attitude toward me, it will probably be because he sees value in me. Hah, it’s so disheartening.”

“…” Jordan remained silent, not knowing what to say.

After a while, Maddy patted her cheeks, adjusted her emotions, and smiled. “I’m just feeling uncomfortable for now. I’ll be fine soon!”

At this moment, Maddy’s phone rang.

When she saw the caller ID on the screen, a trace of surprise appeared in her eyes. The person calling was her father, Carlos!

Maddy’s heart was lifted.

Carlos had just kicked her out of the family after losing his temper at her, so it didn’t make sense for him to call her so soon.

Unless… something serious happened, so he had no choice but to call her!

No longer hesitating, Maddy picked up.

As soon as the call connected, Carlos’s voice came. “Where are you now?”

Maddy asked directly, “What happened?”

No matter what, the two of them had lived as father and daughter for decades, so Maddy was worried that Carlos might encounter a serious ordeal.

Carlos snorted coldly. “The Bransons’ butler just called me and told me to arrive at the Brandson residence with you two within twenty minutes. Otherwise, they’ll make sure the Stonesvanish from DC tonight!”

Maddy frowned.

She knew that the Bransons wouldn’t give up just like that, but she didn’t expect them to be so eager to force the Stones to give them exclamation so soon.

Maddy pursed her lips. “Don’t worry. Jordan and I are on our way there now. We will arrive within twenty minutes! At that time, I will tell the Bransons that we will take responsibility for this and that the Stones have nothing to do with it!”

To Maddy’s surprise, Carlos didn’t sound any less angry. Instead, his voice was full of anxiety as he said impatiently, “That’s pointless. Even if you explain to the Bransons that you no longer have anything to do with the Stones, they won’t let us off! They’ve just given me a warning!

“So now, if you want to resolve our crisis, you have to find another solution!

“But I have a piece of good news for you. Rayson, the helmsman of the Williams, contacted me just now. He told me that if you agree to marry his youngest son, Cody, right now, they will help us deal with the Bransons!

“Just like the Bransons, the Williams are one of the eight top families of DC. In that case, the Bransons naturally won’t dare to do anything to us, and our crisis will be solved.”

Carlos instructed indifferently, “So, you don’t have to go to the Bransons anymore. Come back immediately, and I’ll have someone get your documents and send you to the Marriage Bureau to get your marriage license with Cody Williams!”

“As soon as the two of you get your marriage license, the Williams will step in to help us deal with the Bransons. Come back immediately!”

Hearing this, Maddy remained sitting in the car with her phone in her hand, spacing out in shock for a long time.

She could have never imagined that her father would one day so self-righteously and indifferently ask her to marry a stranger without any regard for her opinion at all.

The more terrifying thing was that Maddy had long heard about Cody Williams.

He had Down’s syndrome and a mental age of only three years old, even though he was physically over 30 years old. He also had severe violent tendencies, and he had once killed several servants of the Williams!

Yet her father wanted her to marry such a violent and intellectually disabled man!

Moreover, Carlos clearly knew that she was already engaged to Jordan and that they were getting married on Valentine’s Day!

Anger suddenly surged in Maddy’s heart.

“No, that’s absolutely impossible!

“I’ve already found the love of my life, and he’s the only person I’m marrying. I won’t allow you to use me as a bargaining chip for a marriage alliance again!

“If you want to use your identity as my father to pressure me, don’t forget that you just kicked me out of the family ten minutes ago. I already have nothing to do with you and the Stones. Who are you to arrange my marriage for me? I don’t agree!

“I’ll settle the matter with the Branson matters on my own. You don’t have to come up with any funny ideas! If you must make someone get into a marriage alliance with the Williams, go look for someone else. I won’t marry him!”

Maddy yelled in exasperation, greatly emotionally agitated.

After hearing Maddy’s refusal, Carlos was even more furious. “Even though I’ve kicked you out of the family, you’re still my daughter! You have to do what I say!

“I’ll tell you the truth. I’ve already promised Rayson Williams that I’ll get you to marry his son. So if you don’t go to the Marriage Bureau to get your marriage license with Cody Williams within twenty minutes, do you think the Williams will let us off?”

“When the time comes, we’ll not only be unable to resolve the problems with the Bransons, but we will face another great enemy like the Williams. There will be no chance of survival for us then!

“So, no matter what, you have to marry Cody Williams. Otherwise, you’ll harm the Stones, and no one will let you off. Do you hear me?”

Carlos’ words were like a bottomless abyss that he wanted to push Maddy into!