A grand wedding.

"Hello, Aunty!"

Chloe sat beside Mr. Smith, facing her. She was nervous but tried to keep a calm appearance. She didn't know what was going to happen next. 

Mrs. Miller didn't seem to care about her; she glanced at her for once, then looked straight at Mr. Smith. 

"So, where were we?"

Mr. Smith sighed.

"I have told you everything, Mrs. Miller. Now the decision is yours. Whatever you suggest, I'll do. After all, it's my daughter's fault, I can't avoid any responsibility."

Mrs. Miller's eyes fell on Chloe; she raised her eyebrow, and a scornful smile appeared on her face.

"I wish, your daughter also had some sense of responsibility! You won't have to be responsible for her doings then!"

Chloe lowered her head. Every word of hers felt piercing through her heart. But Mrs. Miller didn't seem to care about her gesture, she kept talking.

"Since last night when you told us about the situation, we gave it a serious thought and thought of a solution."

"What's that?"

Mrs. Miller took a pause, then said.

"See, Mr. Smith, we don't have any problem with your family. For decades, our partnership has been going really well, and having a personal relationship will just strengthen it for sure. I'm really eager to have you as a part of my family. And it would have already happened unless your daughter...."

"So, after much thought, we have come to the conclusion that we will arrange a grand wedding..."

"What!"

Before Mrs. Miller could finish, Mr. Smith cut her words. He was so startled that the expression just came out of his throat!

Chloe was also startled. 

A grand wedding! What's on her mind! 

She wondered.

"Let me finish first, Mr. Smith!"

"At this point in time, one thing I won't hide anymore is that I've always liked your younger daughter more than Chloe."

Chloe looked up in shock! Mr. Smith also looked at her in surprise.

Mrs. Miller continued.

"Clara was always my favorite. I don't mind saying that she is more well-mannered and elegant as compared to Chloe. And for Carl, my choice was always Clara. But, Carl really liked Chloe... so I just supported his decision to marry her."

Mrs. Miller stopped, then addressing Chloe, she again said.

"Chloe, I really love my son, and I never did anything that would potentially hurt him. Though I liked Clara, I really wanted you to be my daughter-in-law, because... He liked you. He wanted to be with you.

But, you disappointed me. I couldn't ever think that you would do something crazy like this!"

A deep sigh came out of her chest. 

"Mr. Smith, in the current situation, we have only one way. The news of the marriage between the Miller and Smith family is already widespread. So my suggestion is, let's continue the relationship. We will arrange a grand wedding, but the bride will be... your younger daughter, Clara."

"Clara!"

"Yes. Your elder daughter is already married, but you still have an unmarried daughter. Both our families are well known in this city, and anything that happens in our families just pops up on the news. So, let's take a proactive approach to manage the situation."

"We will discreetly incentivize the media to suppress the news of Chloe's engagement day's scandals, make sure that it stops gaining unnecessary traction, and divert their attention by hosting a high-profile wedding celebration for Clara and Carl."

"The grandeur of the event will undoubtedly capture the headlines. In this way, not only any potentially damaging news will be concealed, but also the reputation of both our families will be secured. What's your thought on this?"

Mrs. Miller stopped.

Mr. Smith was lost in his thoughts.

What Mrs. Miller suggested was not that bad. Having Millers with them was always beneficial for the Smiths. Over the years, their relationship had strengthened to a great extent, and for some projects, their company even became dependent on them. Marrying Clara with Carl sounded good indeed; her future would be secured, too. And if the marriage happened, people would stop talking about Chloe.

This way, both purposes would be served at the same time.

But Clara!

Would she agree with this?

He looked at Mrs. Miller and said.

"Mrs. Miller, please give me some time. I have to think about it, also... I need to talk to Clara before reaching any final conclusion."

Mrs. Miller nodded.

"Sure. Take your time, talk to your daughter, then let us know."

"And what about your son?"

"Carl!" She smiled. "Right now, he doesn't have an option though."

Mrs. Miller stood up.

"Okay, think about it. But, Mr. Smith, don't think for too long. Otherwise, maybe we would have to change our decision and call off the partnership between Millers and Smiths. And I don't think, it will be good for your company."

Mr. Smith said nothing. Mrs. Miller was retreating towards the door, but suddenly stopped and turned back.

"Oh, and... I just forgot to mention one important thing!"

"What?"

"Mr. Smith, though we will use our power and money to prevent the media from spreading the news further, but still...

If your daughter is around, no matter how hard you try, we can't get it out of people's minds; they will talk about it. And it certainly wouldn't be good for us. So, to wrap this whole thing up..."

She pointed towards Chloe.

"She has to leave."

"Leave!"

"Yes, Mr. Smith. Before we proceed further with this, make sure to send away her from this city.

Okay, I've told you everything that I had to. Think well about it, and let us know. I'm leaving then."

Without any further delay, she left the house. In a few seconds, the sound of her car was heard fading away.

Chole stood up and slowly headed toward her room. Mr. Smith sat there and watched her go.

He understood what was going on in his daughter's mind. Her sister's marriage with her own fiancé — was not easy for her to accept it!

A thorn was prickling even in his own mind; on one hand, Chloe; on the other, his family's honor, business relationships — he felt torn in between.