Chapter 534 - Five Hundred And Thirty-Five: Give Him Anabelle

The third point of view:

George's face was taut but full of certainty. He knew no matter the verdict today he was going to win but it still broke his heart that his chosen daughter-in-law was not in support of this marriage. Anyway, she's just a kid and knows nothing. The man was sure that with time feelings would develop between both kids. With a kid as smart as Isabella as his grandson's wife, he would be at peace wherever he is - including the grave.

"Can I speak?" Pedro raised his hand, "I know I'm not related to the case but Isabella's my girlfriend hence I have to speak out my grievances," He said.

"The floor is yours," Reina permitted him.

Pedro stood to his feet with a deep breath, he looked around his surroundings and finally settled his gaze on Isabella and said, "I love Isabella,"

Cecil whistled.

Camille and Reina swoon. 

The men said nothing but there was a look of respect on their faces. George was the only one who had a look of unease. It was obvious that he didn't like the fact the boy was gaining supporters without even knowing it. 

Isabella was the only one who stood as still as a rock. This wasn't the first time Pedro had expressed his love for her but this was the first time he was saying it in front of everyone; in front of her parents and the whole world. Her heart began to beat so fast she was having difficulty breathing. 

"I don't care whatever decision you guys make but I'm never letting go of Isabella. You might break me, torture me or even worse kill me but I'll be more at peace knowing my last moments were for her than living an unfulfilled life without her," Pedro said, all the while holding her gaze. 

The both of them stared at each other, the others present with them fading into the background, making it seem like it was just the both of them at the moment. Both of them against the world. 

Isabella knew at that moment that Pedro owned her heart. No one could have her, body, mind, and soul but him. She had thought it was over between the both of them when the engagement surfaced, but Pedro stood by her. What else could she ask for? 

Tears stung her eyes, but as Isabella would always be Isabella, she blinked them away, refusing to show weakness. If only there was a way to solve this shit or at least exploit a loophole, then things would have been... 

Suddenly, an idea hit her, Isabella's eyes widened. How had she not thought of that? She immediately searched for her father and when their eyes met, the information was conveyed. They needed to talk. Privately. 

Pedro sat down as soon as he was done, his gaze following Isabella who had taken off her eyes at the last minute. He was a bit disappointed, why wasn't she listening?

Anabelle was the next to lift her hands, she wanted to speak; Pedro's speech motivated her. However, almost immediately, Niklaus announced, 

"I need a minute with my daughter," He stood, surprising everyone. Niklaus gestured to Isabella to follow after him while everyone stared on. 

George stared at them suspiciously, he didn't like father and daughter going for a secret meeting. Who knows what they are up to? Niklaus and Isabella together were a force to be reckoned with. 

Thankfully, everything settled down when Anabelle began her speech, "Hi," She waved at them politely, "I'm sure everyone here has someone close to their heart that they want to protect and I'm proud to say that person is Judy. Yes, he's made mistakes but we all are humans, who haven't made one. So I'm pleading we all reconsider this engagement. Isabella and I love each other and she would never do anything to harm me - even though she doesn't show it - but the engagement is trying to tear us apart,"

Anabelle took a deep breath, "My father, Eden raised me with love and I'm privileged to have my uncle Niklaus as well, who's helplessly in love with his wife, Reina. So I'm sure you all feel what I'm talking about,"

Their parents shifted uncomfortably in their chair, her speech was close to home. 

Anabelle went on, "You might say that teenage love is a mirage, that it's just infatuation, it doesn't last. But the truth is that we are kids still trying to find our way, don't force us to grow up quickly," and with that Anabelle took her seat, the living room as dead as a graveyard. 

Quickly, Julie stood to share his viewpoint. He knew their speeches were beginning to affect the other parents so he had to strike while the iron is hot. 

"Grandfather," He faced George this time, "I know you have great plans for me but no amount of achievement can give me the joy I feel when around Anabelle. I know it's wrong of me to go back on my words, but I agreed to the engagement out of carelessness. 

"Moreover, the Isabella you engaged me to has another in her heart. How do you expect me to live with that? That would only make me miserable. You said an Alpha needs a strong Luna but then, the alpha is the king already and no two kings can rule a kingdom. I need a helper and a friend, not a fellow ruler. So people reconsider, " 

Julie looked up, his grandfather looked the other way with a huff and his heart sank. The old man was determined. But he didn't give up as well. 

"Anabelle might not be strong, smart, and capable like Isabella but she has her perks...." He hesitated before speaking, "She's like a ray of sunshine that spreads warmth upon the face, the kind of warmth that melts even the coldest of hearts. She's beautiful, friendly, kind, thoughtful and the most compassionate soul I've ever seen. I know you're concerned about the gang but we can't have wars all the time, everything doesn't have to be solved with violence - "

"She's weak and would make you weak," George retorted. 

"She makes me weak in a good way. Her positivity is all I need to fight my battles,"

"Our business is bloody, she just cannot handle it. You need a strong wife,"

"I'll be there to protect her and you keep forgetting that Anabelle is a Spencer, what hasn't she seen?" 

"A lot," Reina almost said. Compared to the others, Anabelle was the innocent queen of the bloody Spencer group - Eden had made sure of it. But Reina was sure that Julie would be able to cover her from the violence just as Eden had done. 

"You're not marrying her, simple!" George concluded. 

"Why not?!" Eden chimed in this time. All this while, he had remained silent on purpose, but no more, "What's wrong with my daughter? Are you trying to say I didn't raise her well?" 

"Exactly," Camille supported her husband, "Do you know many noble families will fight each other just to have our daughter betrothed to them? Yet, here, you are, treating her like she's worth nothing," she was furious. Anabelle was a nice girl compared to Isabella. 

"Your son doesn't even love Isabella, why force him? Give the children freedom of relationship," Cecil joined in 

"Let your son be happy old man," Emerald persuaded him, "Give him the girl after his heart," 

"Just give him Anabelle," Reina yawned. 

"Yes, give him Anabelle!" A voice shouted from behind and all turned back and found the triple trouble, they've been spying and eavesdropping on their conversation. 

Allen facepalmed, this fool called Neon just gave out their position. 

"No, this is a good thing," Ailee said upon seeing the disappointment on her brother's face. 

"How is this a good thing?" He pointed to the numerous eyes on them. 

"Follow me," Ailee smiled and then shouted, "Give him Anabelle!" 

Allen frowned but Neon didn't hesitate to join her in shouting out, "Give him Anabelle!" 

"Oh well," Allen rolled his eyes exasperatedly yet cried out, "Give him Anabelle!" As always, they would get in trouble, together. 

And just like that, the kids began to chant, "Give him Anabelle!" stamping their feet and clapping their hands, forming a rhythm of their own. 

George's face distorted in anger and he turned around to give Reina a look that says control - your - monkey - of - a - children. 

However, Reina merely shrugged. What could she do anyway? Ailee, Allen, and Neon were obviously expressing their opinion on the issue. 

"Give him Anabelle!" they kept on pestering the old man and he lost it. 

"Enough!" George roared with an intensity that shut everyone up. The place became as silent as a graveyard. 

George's eyes were wide and red as he said, "I've made my decision and no one is going to stop -" 

"That decision is invalid," Someone said.

There was a collective gasp. Everyone turned to the source of the voice only to see Niklaus and his daughter coming into view. Isabella was as confident as usual while her father had his smirk on. Something was going to happen, they could all feel it . It was about to go down.

"What do you mean by that?" He had a bad feeling about this.

Isabella boldly said, "You claim that Reina's words have the same power as Niklaus'. But then, you forgot one thing, Reina had not been married to my father, Niklaus, when she made that agreement. Remember?" she grinned. 

"No," George's expression changed. That is impossible.