Chapter 69

As Aaron ascended the stairs, Avery heard his footsteps approach her door. She intercepted him in the hallway. "Aaron, are you also going to leave me behind?" she asked. Aaron looked at her with indifference, his voice lacking its former warmth. "You said before that Lionel was constantly bothering you, asking me not to kick you out. I gave you one last chance. I thought you would refuse my grandfather's engagement proposal, but what did you do?" Everyone thought he couldn't bear to send Avery away. But the truth was, after Thomas's funeral, she assured him that she would help temporarily appease Jonathan and then reject the engagement. Jonathan was always one to honor commitments. Despite misunderstanding Aaron and Avery's relationship, he stubbornly wanted to fulfill his late friend's wish. Accustomed to calling the shots, his sons and grandsons always went along with his decisions, making him the undisputed authority in the Malone family. Aaron knew that if he couldn't resolve