Forsaking the Years of Longing
Forsaking Billionaire 26

Chapter 26

Nolan's eyes were bloodshot with rage, his fists clenched tightly as he threw a punch at

Theodore.

"Why does it have to be him? I don't accept this! Charlotte, as long as you don't want to marry him, I'll take you away! Europe, Miami-wherever you want to go!"

Theodore could have easily dodged Nolan's punch but chose only to slightly tilt his head, letting the fist graze his face.

The blow wasn't severe, but it left a red mark.

"Hiss-"

Theodore winced, covering the light injury on his cheek as his features scrunched in pain.

Even then, his handsome demeanor remained intact.

Seeing him hurt, Charlotte was filled with worry. She grabbed his hand, trying to move it to check the injury.

"It's fine. It doesn't hurt," Theodore reassured her with a casual smile.

But his attempt to downplay it only made Charlotte more anxious.

When he refused to let her inspect the wound, Charlotte turned to Nolan with anger and frustration.

"Nolan! Why did you hit him? When did you become so impulsive and reckless?"

Her reprimand was almost too much for Nolan to bear.

He hadn't expected Charlotte to completely ignore his earlier words and focus entirely on

Theodore.

Nolan knew exactly how much force he had used and that the punch had barely grazed Theodore.

But now, he was being blamed as if he'd gravely injured him!

Fuming, Nolan snapped, "I didn't even hit him! He's not hurt! Charlotte, come with me! He's not a good man."

As he reached for Charlotte's hand, she didn't hesitate to pull away and glare at him.

"This is the Murphy estate. It's my home, and I won't leave with you. I can't believe you hurt someone and now refuse to admit it." Her tone was colder than ever.

"Jaziel, Nolan, we're no longer friends. You're not welcome at my wedding-clearly, you didn't come with sincere intentions!"

With that, Charlotte grabbed Theodore's hand and strode decisively toward the villa's entrance.

The Murphy family's security and bodyguards quickly blocked Jaziel and Nolan, giving them no chance to follow.

Jaziel and Nolan, refusing to give up, remained outside the estate.

By late night, Charlotte's parents came out to drive them away.

"Mr. Collins, Mr. Rogers, please leave. The Murphy family does not welcome you here," Charlotte's mother declared firmly.

"We cannot entrust Charlotte to men like you. After all, who's to say there won't be another Sophie in the future?"

"You're both talented and capable-don't fixate on Charlotte anymore."

Charlotte's mother tried to reason with them, while her father stood silently by her side, his expression stern and unyielding.

Jaziel's usually composed face was marred by exhaustion and streaked with red veins in his eyes.

Nolan, equally disheveled, had lost all his usual charisma.

Seeing their persistence, Charlotte's mother sighed heavily and ordered the bodyguards to escort them away.

Though they wanted to prove their sincerity and devotion, Sophie's betrayal had left a scar too deep to ignore. It was impossible for anyone to fully trust them again.

As they were led away, Jaziel and Nolan exchanged a glance, seeing their own defeat and helplessness mirrored in each other's eyes.