CHAPTER 480

Yes, that's right. Even marrying Zachariah beats living like this!

As Peachlyn grew up coddled, she had zero survival skills. In fact, she couldn't even stand the misery of having to support herself for the rest of her life.

However, marrying Zachariah… If she was lucky, the Soulsbys might actually be able to find a doctor to cure Zachariah. But even if they couldn't, given the Soulsbys' fortunes, they wouldn't do her wrong either. At least she could return to a life of living in a mansion, sitting in a luxury car, and having someone attend to her.

Right, that's it. I should've chosen to go home with Jericho, marry Zachariah, and become Mrs. Soulsby!

She had no other options other than that now. At that, she took a deep breath and turned to Jericho. "Jeric, I've thought it through. I'm willing to go back with you and marry Zachariah!"

Her words amused Milana, and she retorted, "You must be joining, Peachlyn! What do you make of the Soulsbys? A dumpster?! Who do you think you are to still marry Zachariah when you've already eloped with another man?!"

Peachlyn's face flushed crimson. "This is between Zachariah and me. Who are you to meddle in this?! Zachariah likes me. He'll definitely be willing to marry me."

"Huh," Milana sneered. "I have to say, think too highly of yourself. Zachariah said the only reason he likes you is that he thought you were the girl who saved him in the past. But since the day you eloped with Hugo, he knows you're not that girl because she's kind and smart and wouldn't be dumb and

selfish like you. So, he's all merry when he can call off the marriage with you since you're not the girl who saved him."

"No… Impossible… You're lying!" Peachlyn shook her head in disbelief, her face ghastly pale. "Zachariah likes me. It was love at first sight for him. I've only left Wingston with Hugo out of impulse. There's nothing between Hugo and me. Nothing ever happened. I'll explain it all to Zachariah. He'll definitely understand!"

"Oh? Explain it to him, then. I'll have you give up." Milana dialed Zachariah's number and put the call on speaker. "Zachariah, we've found Peachlyn. You won't believe what she told us. She said she regretted her decision and wants to marry you now. So, I told her you don't like her anymore, but she didn't believe it. Why don't you tell her yourself?"

It was quite a while before the silence broke, and a deep, magnetic voice came from the other end of the line. "Peachlyn, hand the betrothal gifts to Milana and Jericho. After they return with them, we'll be squared. I don't want to see you ever again."

"No, Zachariah, let me explain!" Peachlyn yelped in panic. "It's because I fear getting married that I fled with Hugo on a whim, Zachariah. There's nothing between Hugo and me. Nothing ever happened between the two of us. It's only after I left you that I realized the person I love is you. I—"

"Enough!" Zachariah sneered. "Peachlyn Lewis, don't take everyone for fools. You and I both know what it actually is. No matter how you put it, it's a fact that everyone saw you eloping with Hugo. We've become foes from the second you left with him. All I have for you now is contempt and aversion. I'd rather stay single forever than marry a woman like you. So, don't disgust me with your IQ-insulting words! Milana!"

"Right here, Zach," Milana answered crisply.

"Help me retrieve my family's betrothal gifts, will you?" requested Zachariah. "I don't want to see Peachlyn ever again, nor do I want to hear her voice. Don't let her disturb me ever again!"

"Alright, got it." Milana acknowledged. "You get some rest. I assure you I won't let her bother you again."

After ending the call, the young woman looked at Peachlyn. "So? You heard him. Zach said he'd rather stay single forever than marry a woman like you! C'mon, chop-chop. Hand over the jade emblem. Keep at this, and I'll call the police! Each emblem is worth a fortune, and you're practically a goner if I sue you for theft. I'm sure you don't want to spend the rest of your life behind bars, do you?"

"What are you smoking?!" Peachlyn retorted with a pale face. "The jade emblem's mine. My name is carved on it. What makes you think you can sue me for theft?!"

"You've been kicked out of my family, that's what! Since you're no longer a Clarke, you should return the jade emblem that signifies a Clarke family member. If it's not theft for you to take away what you should've returned, then what is it? Illegal possession?"

At that, she snorted disdainfully. "Whatever it is, once it's convicted, you'll be getting more than you bargained for. Are you sure you want to take this to court with us?"

Peachlyn shuddered as fear and anger overwhelmed her, for she hadn't expected the Clarkes to be so ruthless. She had never been on good terms with Milana, who would most certainly make things worse

for her when she was down now. Thus, she knew it'd be no use talking to Milana.

At that, she turned to Jericho and pleaded with teary eyes, pleading, "Jeric, I've learned my lesson. I just made a wrong impulsive decision. Mom and Dad will definitely forgive me… Jeric, take me home, please. I promise to listen to Mom and Dad. I will do whatever Mom and Dad say."

"Too late," Jericho uttered plainly. "Not every mistake gets a second chance. At least, not for eloping. Because of you, the Clarke Family suffered a significant loss in reputation and gain. Our family has no place for a young girl who'd elope. Mom and Dad won't forgive you, and neither will I. You can't go back anymore.”

At that, he extended his hand toward Peachlyn again. "Return us the jade emblem and live a good life with Hugo. Since he's your choice, then it's on you to decide what your life becomes."

"No, you guys can't do this to me!" Peachlyn wailed. "How can you guys do this to me?! I've merely made an unintentional mistake. Why can't you guys forgive me?! Will you guys do this to Milana, too, if she was the one who eloped with Hugo?! You guys keep telling me you adore me and want the best for me, but they're nothing but lies! I'm never as good as Milana to you guys!"

"You're right," Jericho affirmed plainly. "You really are never as good as Milana to me. Milana's my blood sister, but you're not. You're just a foster child my family has taken in. You and I have no blood relation at all. What's more, Milana's smarter, more sensible, and more pious than you. I'd naturally treat her far better than I treat you."

"Jeric…" Milana cooed affectionately as she wrapped her arms around Jericho's.

If anything, Milana had always found Peachlyn's behavior enigmatic. The girl was just a pauper, yet she

acted like a princess, loving to compete for her family's affection and wanting to be the only girl her family loved.

Fortunately, her parents and brother hadn't been blinded. The one they loved and pampered all this time was her—their blood daughter and sister. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Mom, Dad, and Jericho are the best!