Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 228

Chapter 228

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The Goodwins had first gone to the hospital, and now they’d shown up unannounced at the Hamilton residence.

It was obvious they weren’t leaving until they saw lan in person.

Miranda quickly told the staff to clean up the floor.

Ian insisted on leaving, but Edward rebuked him and told him to stay.

Shane warned Ian, “Say only what’s necessary in front of the Goodwins. Don’t mention anything you shouldn’t.”

Patrick, with a helpless sigh, helped Ian back onto the couch.

Once everything was tidied up, Edward waved at Thomas to let the guests in.

Margaret’s parents were middle–aged, but they looked impressively youthful, clearly taking excellent care of themselves.

Margaret wore a beige professional pantsuit, her cool brown bob neatly tucked behind one ear. A designer watch gleamed on her left wrist, giving her an air of modern style and efficiency.

After the elders exchanged pleasantries, Margaret walked straight up to Ian.

Margaret said, “We heard Mr. Hamilton was injured while saving his ex–wife and had to be hospitalized, so my parents and I came by to see how you were doing.”

Ian stayed seated on the couch, not bothering to get up.

He asked Margaret, “How’d you hear about that?”

Margaret’s father interjected, “Sir Julian was kind enough to tip us off. Otherwise, The Goodwins would’ve been left completely in the dark about this.”

His tone carried both accusation and thinly veiled irritation.

Ian glanced at Patrick, and Patrick got the message, helping him up from the couch.

lan said, “I’ll head back to the hospital. You guys go ahead and talk.”

The Goodwins had barely settled in when lan immediately tried to leave, and the air suddenly turned awkward.

Margaret’s mother said, “Mr. Hamilton, it seems like you’re not exactly happy to see us.”

Shane hurried to break the tension. “Mrs. Goodwin, you’re just teasing! This troublemaker was arguing with me, and I had to give him a talking–to–that’s all.”

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Chapter 228

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Patrick jumped in, catching the moment. “Uncle Shane, Ian’s pretty banged up and he’s been out way longer than he should. He really needs to get back to the hospital soon. You all go ahead and chat–I’ll run Ian over

now.”

Patrick was just about to help Ian leave when Margaret got up.

She smiled and said, “I was actually going to the hospital to pick up some medicine for my grandma. Why don’t I drive Mr. Hamilton over?”

Ian looked at her and asked, “Miss Goodwin, when you visited me at the hospital, didn’t you pick up the medicine while you were there?”

Margaret remained perfectly calm. “I meant to, but after hearing you’d left the hospital injured, my parents and I were so worried about you that it completely slipped our minds.”

Margaret’s mother frowned, her voice tinged with annoyance. “Mr. Hamilton, what’s that supposed to mean?”

Ian just shrugged, “Just asking.”

The tension in the room suddenly spiked.

Patrick jumped in to smooth things over. “Come on, Miss Goodwin, don’t fight me on this. I’m the muscle around here–it’ll be way easier if I take Ian.”

Patrick had barely finished speaking when Edward’s commanding voice interrupted, “Patrick, you stay here. Just let Miss Goodwin take Ian back to the hospital.”

Since Edward had spoken, Patrick–being just a guest here—could only let go of Ian, knowing there was no

room to argue.

Margaret walked up to Ian, but he just stood his ground, refusing to move.

Ian swept his gaze across everyone in the living room, then locked eyes with Margaret. His voice was firm, cutting through the tension. “Miss Goodwin, that engagement thing—that was all my grandfather and my dad. I never wanted it, not for a second.”

As soon as Ian said that, both Edward and Shane’s faces instantly darkened, looking caught off guard and

angry.

Margaret’s parents also went pale, their expressions turning stiff and shocked.

Margaret’s father slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet, voice sharp with anger. “Both our families agreed to this engagement! If you never wanted it, why the hell didn’t you speak up sooner?”

Margaret’s mother retorted with her chin held high. “Sure, the Hamiltons are Kingsford’s top dogs, but everyone knows Mr. Hamilton cheated on his wife and the whole thing ended in divorce. My daughter’s spent these years grinding hard, staying on the straight and narrow, keeping her reputation spotless. The Goodwins never once griped about Mr. Hamilton being divorced, but now he wants to act like he’s too good for my girl?”

Shane and Miranda quickly apologized, trying to smooth things over, but Edward just sat there in silence, his

face unreadable.

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Chapter 228

The air was thick with tension, making it hard to breathe.

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Margaret tried to smooth things over, saying, “Dad, Mom, you’ve got to respect Mr. Hamilton’s choice. No need to always make such a big deal out of everything.”

As soon as Ian slipped out, saying nothing, Margaret hurried after him.

Patrick and Mia exchanged a look, about to leave, but Edward shot them a look that stopped them in their

tracks.

Shane Hamilton was clearly pleased with Margaret. He praised, “You really are a lady raised by the best- knowing just how to act with dignity and keep the big picture in mind.”

A few minutes later, Ian slid into the car, with Margaret hurrying in right behind him.

As soon as the car door closed, Margaret said, “Hold on, I forgot my bag. Mr. Hamilton, can you wait here for a minute?”

Margaret got out of the car and headed back inside, just in time to hear her parents giving The Hamiltons a piece of their mind.

Her mother was saying, “The engagement’s practically set, and Ian nearly gets himself killed rescuing his ex- wife? How is this supposed to look?”

Her father demanded, “Seriously, what are The Hamiltons playing at?”

Margaret cut in without missing a beat. “Dad, Mom, if anything, this just proves how much Mr. Hamilton values true loyalty.”

As soon as Margaret finished, Shane and Edward immediately agreed, jumping in with nonstop praise for her.

Margaret turned to Edward and said, “Grandpa Edward, since Ian has his own ideas, maybe it’s best not to push him anymore. Let him make his own choices and do what he needs to.”

Edward looked at her and asked, “So, are you saying you want to break off the engagement?”

Margaret smiled, “Grandpa Edward, I’ve always admired Mr. Hamilton’s sharp instincts and skills in business. If these two families end up joining together, it’ll really be the icing on the cake for both the Hamiltons and the Goodwins.”

She went on, “But you know how when you push too hard, things can go sideways. What I truly hope for is that, while the Hamiltons and Goodwins team up, both sides also start getting along like real family. Grandpa Edward, maybe you could help ease up everyone’s relationships a little and stop holding lan back. Otherwise, it’ll just make things messier for all of us.”

Seeing both Edward and Shane nod in agreement, Margaret said with a relaxed smile, “Mr. Hamilton, you and your dad just keep your bond strong–leave the rest to me.”

Margaret grabbed her purse, gave a quick smile, and mentioned lan was still waiting for her in the car before heading out without another word.

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As she left, Edward and Shane were practically falling over themselves with praise, their looks saying loud and clear–they totally approved of her.

Miranda sat quietly next to Shane, not saying a word the entire time.

‘Margaret is even more rational and shrewd than I thought,‘ Miranda mused to herself, a bit impressed.

If what they want is nothing but a business marriage–with no emotions, just interests–then honestly, Margaret’s the obvious choice,‘ Miranda thought.

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