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Chapter 7. The Choosen Mate

Matthew Bronckhorst and his son Damian barged into the Kellents' dining room. Matthew is Bruce Kellent's close cousin. Taggart's cousin Damian also came along with his father.

"How could you start the dinner ball without me, my great cousin?" said Matthew as he spread his arms and smiled. Likewise, Damian slipped a cynical smirk. He glanced at Taggart, who stood up from his chair. Their gazes met, and Taggart stared coldly at him.

"Matthew, what did you come here for?" Bruce came out of his place and approached Matthew with a displeasure look. Matthew scoffed with a slight chuckle. He displayed an attitude that didn't challenge Bruce as the host.

"I came for the dinner."

"No one asked you. Why did you come to my house?" Bruce stared sharply at Matthew. He didn't want to give his cousin any chance. He knew that Matthew intended to ruin the occasion.

"Ah, you are too sensitive, brother. You should invite me too so I can participate in choosing a future daughter-in-law for Damian." Matthew makes fun of Bruce even more. Bruce clenched his jaw in anger.

The guests, who were eating, then stopped to see them. They were curious about the situation or the men who had interrupted the dinner ball. Pearl went to roll her eyes at the man approaching Taggart. Taggart approached his family member who had just arrived. Though she briefly turned around, she didn't understand.

"Why do you come here for?" Taggart went with a growl toward Matthew and Damian. Bruce swiftly intervenes to prevent Taggart from exploding his rage. Meanwhile, Matthew and Damian grinned with satisfaction at seeing Taggart's reaction.

"Isn't there a dinner ball right now to find your future mate, Tagg? Can I join? Maybe I can get the girl I want, and we can go on a double date," Damian replied, daring to make fun of Taggart. Taggart suddenly got angry and was about to move forward. But Bruce quickly intervened.

Everest came and grabbed Taggart's arm. The atmosphere turned increasingly hot and tense. Guests can feel and see it. They would run away if a fight broke out because they were afraid.

"Leave now, Matt. You scared my guests." Bruce is still trying to be patient by talking to Matthew. His voice was lower but still menacing.

"Oh, don't be like that to your own family. I didn't come to attack you. I just wanted to visit." Matthew still annoys Bruce with his uncaring attitude. He smirked and glared at Taggart.

"Come on, Dad. We'll sit there." Damian pointed to a corner at his father instead. Matthew smiled and nodded in agreement. He walked with Damian to one of the tables on the right. Bruce frowned in surprise but couldn't stop them. He only blocked Taggart with his hand from stepping forward to confront.

"Dad!" Taggart protested, but Bruce shook his head.

"No, not now. Go back to your seat." Bruce also ordered Taggart. Taggart had no choice but to comply. He turned to Everest, who was next to him. Everest also nodded at Taggart to comply.

Bruce couldn't stop Matthew, who suddenly came to join him for dinner. If there is more movement, then everything can stay smooth. Bruce smiled again at his guest, and Taggart returned to his seat. The dinner will continue.

"Sorry for the slight interruption. I want to welcome all the families who came to the dinner ball tonight. I really appreciate your presence," Bruce said, opening the event.

Pearl leaned back slightly, then lowered her eyes. It would be better if she just stared at the menu on the plate. Pearl then glanced down again and picked up the cell phone she had accidentally dropped earlier. Pearl typed the conversation interrupted in the chat room with Briana and Keith.

[I cannot stand it anymore. I want to go home.] Pearl typed the message.

[What happened? Did that man force you?] Briana then replied.

[Has he chosen you? I hope not.] Keith chimed in.

[He doesn't do that yet. I'm sure he won't choose me. There are still many women who are more attractive than me.] Pearl was still typing until John caught her.

"What are you doing? Put your cell phone away," whispered John, reprimanding Pearl. Pearl gasped, then grinned strangely. She looked to the right, then whispered back to John. Sandra's mother was busy enjoying the elegant dinner on her plate. So she should have watched over Pearl, who was stealing chances.

"Dad, I want to go home."

"Wait a moment. Once there is certainty, we will go home." Pearl's brow furrowed. There was certainty about what her father meant. Besides, Pearl didn't understand why she came to the dinner ball. Pearl wasn't paying any attention to Bruce, who was talking in front of her. Even when Taggart stood up from his chair, Pearl didn't notice either.

"Tonight, my son, Taggart, will choose one of your family members to be his future wife." Bruce stretched out one hand to Taggart, who stood up from his chair. Everest watched Taggart from behind and stayed close to protect him.

"I have chosen my bride," Taggart said firmly. Damian, who was watching, chuckled mockingly. Taggart glanced at Damian, then squinted in dislike. Damian's attitude always triggered Taggart to turn to anger. They never got along with each other. But tonight, Taggart tried not to care. He resumed his speech.

"I want her." Taggart pointed at Pearl without hesitation.

John shockingly widened his eyes. Sandra choked, then quickly turned to Pearl. Meanwhile, Pearl, who wasn't paying attention to anything, looked to the front. Taggart pointed at her with a smirk on his lips.

Bruce, who originally wanted to stop Taggart, is silent and turns to Pearl. He didn't expect his son's choice to fall on one of the girls from the Rosenthals.

"W-What happened?" Pearl stuttered. Other guests also looked at Pearl. Most of them looked disappointed.

Damian glanced at Pearl, who the guests beside her had hidden. Damian tilted and then gazed at Pearl.

"But," John interrupted in shock. Pearl still didn't understand until Bruce came closer.

"Pearl, will you stand up?" Bruce asked politely. Pearl turned to her father, but John lowered his head instead. Pearl seemed to have no reason to refuse, so she did it.

"From now on, you and Taggart will take a wedding preparations."

"What!" Pearl screamed in shock.

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