An Understated Dominance - Chapter 297

“Enough. Stop fighting. Let’s hear what happened first,” Florence said, her voice filled with concern.

“I don’t know what happened either,” James cried. “I blacked out after drinking with my friends. When I woke up, I was in the car, and there was wreckage everywhere. I was so scared that I ran away, but I got caught the same night.”

“You did a hit-and-run? Do you have any idea how serious that is? You could be facing years in jail!” Dahlia shouted.

“What?” James went pale. “I’m still young. I don’t want to go to jail. Please help me!”

“You have to face the consequences of your actions. How can you think you’ll be safe after killing someone?”

Dahlia sighed. Although she loved her brother, she felt helpless about his situation.

“Please, Sis, Mom! Help me! I promise I’ll never do this again! I’ve learned my lesson!” James pleaded, panic in his eyes at the thought of spending his life in prison.

“Calm down, James. I’ll call your aunt right now. With the Glenstead Nicholsons’ help and some money, we should be able to get you out,” Florence said quickly as she pulled out her phone. She dialed Jane. “Hello? Jane? James is in trouble. He ran his car into someone and killed them. Can you make some calls to help him?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to help, Florence, but Dahlia ran away from her date last night, and our family is very upset about it. They’ve decided that unless Dahlia marries Mr. Longford, they won’t help us,” Jane replied calmly.

“What?” Florence stiffened, looking at Dahlia with surprise.

“I will never marry him!” Dahlia immediately refused.

“Then forget it. You’ll have to handle James on your own,” Jane said before hanging up.

“Just agree, Dahlia. What’s wrong with marrying Mr. Longford? He’s rich and powerful,” Florence urged.

Dahlia came from a loving family, but they were in trouble. Her mother, Florence, pleaded with her, “If you marry Mr. Langford, we can save your brother and live comfortably.”

“But Mom, I don’t like him!” Dahlia frowned.

“You’ll learn to love him. Do you want to see your brother go to prison?” Florence cried.

James, her brother, chimed in, “Please, Sis! Marry Mr. Langford, or I’m doomed!” He was clearly upset.

“Did you two ever think about my future?” Dahlia asked, feeling anxious.

“You’ll have a great life if you marry him. Our family will grow stronger too. Plus, I’m your brother. Don’t you want to see me free and not in jail?” James shouted, his eyes red with worry.

“Just let me think about it. There has to be another way,” Dahlia said, closing her eyes in despair.

“There’s no time to waste!” James exclaimed, sounding frantic.

“Please help him! I’m begging you!” Florence cried, dropping to her knees.

“Mom, what are you doing? Get up!” Dahlia rushed to help her mother.

“I won’t get up until you agree!” Florence insisted.

Seeing her mother’s determination and her brother’s fear, Dahlia felt frozen. She never imagined her life would come to this. She had been hoping for happiness, but now it felt out of reach. Didn’t she deserve to be happy?

Finally, she sighed and said, “Fine. I’ll do it…” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she realized she had given in.