Chapter 207: Engagement, I Don’t Agree

Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Engagement, I Don’t Agree

"I’ll sign! I’ll sign the forgiveness letter!" Quentin Chandler blurted out, trembling uncontrollably.

After so many years in prison, what kind of depravity hadn’t he witnessed?

He’d much rather sign the letter than suffer a fate worse than death at that person’s hands.

Taking the forgiveness letter, signed with Quentin Chandler’s trembling hand, Shiloh Sloan’s lips curved into a faint smile. She then turned to give an order.

"You two will have to work a bit harder for a while. Keep a close watch on him and don’t let him contact anyone."

’Now that Quentin Chandler is in my grasp, how could I possibly let him run loose and give him a chance to get revenge?’

After leaving the hospital, she formally submitted the forgiveness letter to the police, putting the matter to rest for good.

Meanwhile, at the Forrester Estate.

Nolan Forrester had just hung up with Leo Yates. His brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes, so faint it was almost imperceptible.

He never would have imagined that Shiloh Sloan had actually managed to solve all her problems on her own, without once asking him for the slightest bit of help.

He looked up at the lush green lawn outside the window, a flicker of stunned reflection in his deep, dark eyes.

’She had grown at an astonishing rate these past few years. She’d long since shed her old immaturity, becoming independent, decisive, and able to stand on her own. She no longer needed to rely on anyone to make her way in the world.’

’It seemed... she no longer needed him.’

After a long moment, he withdrew his gaze and turned, walking into the living room.

In the living room, the elders of the Forrester and Summers families were gathered, animatedly discussing the date for his engagement to Summer.

"Why don’t we set it for two months from now?" Mrs. Forrester suggested with a gentle smile. "That day happens to be the eighth anniversary of the Forrester Group’s founding, so it’s both festive and meaningful." She turned to Summer beside her, her voice softening. "Summer, what do you think of that date?"

A blush instantly crept up Summer’s cheeks. Looking bashful, she whispered, "I’ll defer to Miss Forrester. I don’t have any objections."

"Such a good girl." Mrs. Forrester nodded, pleased. She then turned to the Summerses and asked with a smile, "Wallace, Miranda, what do you think?"

Wallace Summers smiled. "We’re fine with it."

Miranda Shelby’s eyes crinkled with a smile. "If Summer has no objections, then of course, neither do we."

"Alright then, the engagement date is set—" Before Mrs. Forrester could finish, a cold, distant voice cut her off, shattering the harmonious atmosphere in the room.

"Isn’t anyone going to ask for the opinion of the person actually involved?"

At the sound of his voice, all eyes snapped to Nolan Forrester.

Mrs. Forrester still wore a gentle smile, but her tone held an edge that brooked no argument.

"The minority defers to the majority. Your opinion isn’t that important. You and Summer spent three years studying abroad together, side by side. You know each other well enough. Summer took meticulous care of you while you were abroad; you can’t possibly let a wonderful girl like her down."

Her words did nothing to persuade Nolan Forrester. His gaze turned even colder as he spoke with firm resolve.

"I do not agree to this engagement!"

The living room plunged into a dead silence, the very air seeming to freeze.

The smile on Summer’s face froze. Her eyes instantly reddened, and a film of moisture welled up as she looked on the verge of tears, deeply wronged.

She opened her mouth to say something, but her mother, Miranda Shelby, discreetly pulled her back, signaling for her to stay calm.

"Nolan, do you have any idea what nonsense you’re spouting!" Mrs. Forrester’s brows furrowed deeply. Her face fell, her voice thick with displeasure.

"I know exactly what I’m saying." Nolan Forrester met his mother’s gaze head-on. "Me studying abroad, and everything after that, was always Summer’s wishful thinking, not mine. I made my position clear from the start. All of you were the ones who insisted on having your own way and forcing us together."

"You know better than anyone why I was forced to go abroad three years ago, don’t you?"

’If Mother hadn’t threatened him with Shiloh’s safety back then, he never would have compromised, let alone gone abroad to spend three years with Summer.’

’Back then, his words meant nothing. He hadn’t yet secured real power in the Forrester family and had no say in anything. He could only let others pull his strings.’

’But times had changed. Now, the full power of the Forrester family was in his hands. No one could ever force him to do anything he didn’t want to do again.’

Mrs. Forrester’s face tightened. Though she was burning with rage, her refined upbringing kept her from losing her composure then and there, allowing her to maintain a veneer of dignity.

She took a deep breath and turned to The Summers Family, her tone apologetic.

"My apologies. I need to speak with Nolan alone."

Seeing this, Miranda Shelby tactfully pulled a reluctant Summer to her feet and smiled to smooth things over.

"Luna, we’ll take our leave then. You and Nolan have a good talk. Don’t let it hurt your relationship."

Though deeply unwilling, her hand clutching the hem of her dress, Summer was still pulled firmly out of the Forrester living room by her mother.

Once only mother and son remained in the living room, Mrs. Forrester could no longer contain her anger. Her voice was cold as she demanded,

"Are you opposing this so stubbornly because of Shiloh Sloan again?"

"My affairs are my own. You don’t need to concern yourself with them." Nolan Forrester walked over to the opposite sofa and sat. His deep, dark eyes were placid, betraying no emotion.

"You are my son! I have the right to be involved in every part of your life!" Mrs. Forrester shot to her feet, her voice trembling with agitation. "Only a powerful alliance with the Summers family can solidify the Forrester Corporation’s position and elevate the group! That Shiloh Sloan has no family, no background, and no support! What right does she have to stand beside you? What in the world do you see in her?!"

"Mom, you wouldn’t understand our relationship even if I explained it." Nolan’s tone was flat but resolute. "I don’t want to repeat the mistakes you and Dad made. Life isn’t just about fame, fortune, and expanding a business empire. I don’t like Summer, and I will never, ever marry her."

"What is love worth? How long can it possibly last?" Mrs. Forrester retorted sharply. "Only concrete benefits and a stable business will allow you to stand taller and go further! You must get engaged to Summer. Other than her, no woman will so much as dream of stepping foot in the Forrester family’s door!"

"If we can’t see eye to eye, then we have nothing left to discuss."

Unwilling to say more, Nolan rose to his feet and walked out of the living room without another word.

"Stop right there! Where do you think you’re going!" Mrs. Forrester shot up as well, her voice a sharp reprimand.

Nolan didn’t stop. With his back to her, he answered coldly.

"Back to the office. So we don’t get sick of the sight of each other."

"This time, you can forget about controlling my life. I was never your possession."

With that said, he left without a backward glance.

Mrs. Forrester watched his retreating figure, her body trembling with rage.

’Over the years, she was certain Nolan hadn’t secretly contacted or met with Shiloh Sloan. Yet he was still hung up on her.’

’For that woman, he even dared to bring up *her* marriage.’

’Though her marriage to Miles Forrester was a business alliance, they had always treated each other with respect, never dropping the facade.’

’Was love really that important?’

’And Summer was truly useless. She’d given her the opportunity, yet in three years, she still couldn’t win Nolan’s heart.’

She summoned the butler and ordered coldly, "Find Shiloh Sloan’s current address."

’She had broken them up three years ago, and she would do it again!’