A Toast To A Love That Never Was Chapter 10
“Thank you, Mrs. Hart.” Olivia smiled politely at Miriam before turning to Dustin and extending her hand toward him. “Dustin, you can just call me Liv.”
Olivia naturally knew this dinner’s purpose. The Hart and Scott families were well–matched in status, and coincidentally, the two families had recently been negotiating a business partnership.
Besides strengthening ties, this meal also carried the unspoken intent of arranging a marriage alliance.
Olivia knew there were two other women around Dustin, but she didn’t mind.
After all, one of them had abandoned him when he was at his lowest. He might still cling to that woman, unable to truly let go, but who could truly feel nothing toward someone who had once cast them aside?
And the other was nothing more than a country bumpkin with no background or connections. If not for the Hart family’s support, she would never have crossed paths with Dustin in the first place.
Even if she had earned some favor for caring for him after his accident, she was still no threat. In Dustin’s heart, she didn’t even measure up to Jane.
Dustin quickly understood Miriam’s intentions. His expression darkened, and he stared at the outstretched hand without responding.
The atmosphere grew increasingly awkward until Miriam smoothed it over with a smile, pulling Olivia back into her seat. “Dustin’s been like this since he was young, so don’t take it to heart. It’ll be fine once he’s more familiar with you.”
Olivia’s expression stiffened slightly, but she said nothing in the end.
Men of privilege always had their strange tempers, especially those who had lived through so much.
Miriam had hoped to let them get acquainted and gradually build a rapport, but she hadn’t expected Dustin to be so uncooperative. He ignored Olivia when she tried to start a conversation, brushed aside every attempt at mediation from Miriam, and just remained cold throughout.
From beginning to end, Dustin acted as though Olivia didn’t even exist. She endured it at first, but even the most patient person would eventually lose their composure when being treated this way.
Olivia abruptly stood up and headed for the door. “Mrs. Scoot, I don’t think Dustin has any interest in continuing this. Let’s just leave it at that.”
The dinner ended on a sour note as Miriam helplessly escorted Olivia out of the residence. Once Olivia was gone, Miriam shot Dustin a glare. “What was that all about? I only asked you to come over for a meal, and you caused such a scene.”
Dustin hadn’t even lifted his head a single time while Olivia was leaving. He merely kept on eating calmly.
Only when Miriam spoke did he answer indifferently, “You didn’t say anything about this when you told me to come back.”
“Our families are working together right now. I just thought it wouldn’t hurt to at least befriend each other.” Miriam looked at Dustin with exasperation, but she could only sigh at his indifferent expression. “Fine. Since you don’t like this one, I’ll just look for another.”
But before she even finished, Dustin put down his utensils. “Don’t bother. I won’t agree.”
“Dustin, I’m not trying to pressure you, but you’ll have to marry someday…” Miriam sighed again. “I still can’t stand Jane, either. Dustin, don’t forget that she was the first one to cut ties with you when you had your accident.”
Dustin would normally have defended Jane, but for some reason, he mentioned something else entirely. “What about Mel? Weren’t you the one who always wanted her to be your daughter–in- law?”
Hearing Melanie’s name, Miriam froze for a moment before blurting out almost instinctively, ” Melanie? Didn’t she already go abroad?”
