Tempting Him to Lose Control

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: My People Don’t Need to Kneel

A stir went through the living room behind Miles Warren.

"Where’s the bride? Look at the time. How is she still not here?"

"Miles’s wife is really something. Making the entire family wait the very first time she meets us. The nerve."

Yvonne Warren fanned the flames with a snide remark. "It’s been half an hour and there’s still no sign of her. Looks like she’s trying to put the Warren family in its place."

Miles Warren gripped his phone, his knuckles tightening. He didn’t retort, his spine ramrod straight, his expression calm.

He recalled the words he’d overheard last night—’My parents don’t know, so if it doesn’t work out, we’ll just get a divorce.’

’So that’s why she agreed so readily to come to the family estate and told me not to pick her up from Moonstone. She never intended to come at all.’

’I should have known. I’d just been holding on to a sliver of foolish hope.’

Now, just as he’d expected, that hope had been dashed.

’She didn’t come. What excuse would she use to get out of it this time? ’My phone died,’ ’I fell asleep,’ ’My car broke down’...’

It didn’t matter what excuse she gave. She was certain he couldn’t bear to lose her, that he would forgive her.

After all, over these past ten long years, he had mastered the art of waiting.

Miles Warren lowered his gaze and slipped his phone back into his pocket.

Louis Warren spoke up to save face for Miles, his voice deep and resonant.

"The weather’s bad, and it’s peak rush hour. It’s perfectly normal to be late. Let’s all just wait a little longer."

The Family Head had spoken. The crowd fell silent and waited obediently.

The minutes ticked by.

Six o’clock, six-thirty, seven...

The atmosphere in the living room grew heavier and heavier until even the sound of conversation died away. This time, even Louis Warren was starting to look embarrassed.

Yvonne feigned concern. "Uncle, did you even confirm things with her? Don’t tell me Claire Kendall just decided not to come."

She sneered. "Then again, after ruining the Warren Group’s anniversary gala and getting cozy with my fiancé, how could she possibly have the nerve to face the Warren family?"

"Yvonne," Miles Warren cut her off, his eyes like ice. "I know what kind of person my wife is better than anyone. It is not your place, as a junior, to comment."

"Slander her again and you’ll be violating our ancestral precepts. You can go kneel in the family’s ancestral hall."

"You..." Yvonne’s words had been foul, and even with her father, Victor Warren, right there, she couldn’t refute Miles’s point.

"That’s enough, Yvonne. Since your uncle told us to wait, we’ll wait," Victor Warren said, taking a sip of his tea with an unperturbed air.

Miles Warren straightened up, raised his glass, and spoke in a solemn voice.

"Claire was indeed delayed today. The fault is mine for not planning better. I apologize to all the elders here."

He drained the glass in one go.

He went from table to table, humbling himself as he toasted each person in apology.

At the head of the table, Louis Warren clenched his fists. It pained him to see Miles acting this way. He was debasing himself, all for Claire Kendall.

When Miles offered a toast to Victor Warren, Victor neither stood nor accepted the proffered glass.

He slowly lifted his eyelids and spoke. "Miles, Father values tradition above all else. He gathered all these people for the announcement of your marriage. A blunder of this magnitude can’t be smoothed over with a few toasts."

Victor continued at a deliberate pace, "You should go to the ancestral hall and kneel for two days and two nights. Atone to the Warren ancestors on your wife’s behalf. That is the only way to show true sincerity."

The room erupted in murmurs.

An older brother making things difficult for his younger brother. It was blatant, unconcealed humiliation.

"Victor Warren, what are you trying to do?" Louis Warren’s lips trembled with anger. "We’re all family!"

A slight smirk touched Victor Warren’s lips as he retorted, "Father, the rules were established by our ancestors. Surely you wouldn’t be the first to break them."

If the Family Head was at a loss for words, no one else dared to intervene.

Miles Warren set down his glass. His voice was hoarse from the strong liquor he’d downed. "Fine."

He added, "I will kneel for two days and two nights. But after today, the next time my wife sets foot in the Warren home, no one is to give her any trouble or show her the slightest disrespect."

He turned and started toward the ancestral hall.

Suddenly, a raspy female voice called out from the doorway.

"Kneel for what?"

All heads swiveled toward the door.

Claire Kendall stood in the doorway, dressed in a pale blue cheongsam. Under the play of light and shadow, the embroidered lotus flowers on it seemed to come alive.

The waist was narrow, and the modest slit in the hem fell to her knees. With every step, a sliver of her smooth, fair calf was revealed. She moved with captivating grace.

The vast living room fell silent for several seconds.

Before her arrival, they had all heard of Claire Kendall’s reputation from the fiasco at the Warren Group anniversary gala. She was supposedly promiscuous, deeply calculating, a woman who resorted to the most despicable tactics.

But the woman before them looked like a celestial beauty who had stepped out of a painting. How could she possibly be associated with such words?

’Rumors. They had to be rumors!’

Claire Kendall walked forward and came to a stop beside Miles Warren.

"I’m sorry I’m late."

He stared at her, a flicker of astonishment in his eyes, and let her take his arm.

Claire Kendall’s voice was clear as she explained to the room, her tone perfectly poised.

"On the way here, my car was in a minor fender-bender, which held me up. My apologies for keeping the elders waiting."

’A fender-bender?’

Miles’s gaze immediately locked onto her, scanning her from head to toe.

Victor Warren nearly crushed the wine glass in his hand.

’A bunch of useless fools! Didn’t I tell them to stop Claire Kendall at all costs? Why is that bitch still standing here?!’

Claire Kendall picked up a wine glass from the table and faced Victor Warren, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Mr. Warren... or, I suppose I should follow Miles’s example and call you Elder Brother now. I’d like to propose a toast. From this day forward, I am part of the Warren family."

With her other hand, she looped her arm through Miles Warren’s, her smile radiant.

"If I do anything wrong in the future, I hope you’ll be patient with me, Elder Brother. Please don’t punish me by making me kneel in the ancestral hall. My constitution is just too weak for that."

As soon as she finished speaking, her wrist gave a little tremble.

The wine glass slipped from her fingertips, and the entire glass of red wine spilled squarely onto Victor Warren’s trousers.

The liquid trickled down from an... awkward area. He was utterly humiliated in front of everyone.

"Oh, Elder Brother, I’m so sorry. My hand slipped. Like I just said, my constitution is so poor I can’t even hold a glass properly."

"You’re not angry with me, are you, Elder Brother?"

Yvonne slammed her hand on the table and shot to her feet. "Claire Kendall, you did that on purpose!"

Claire shot her a cold, playful, and provocative look. "Niece, you’re being too loud. You’re frightening your aunt."

"Claire Kendall, stop pretending..."

"Yvonne, shut your mouth!" Victor barked.

"Sister-in-law, if your constitution is so fragile, perhaps you should avoid going out."

"Thank you for your concern, Elder Brother," Claire said, leaning against Miles, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness.

"Darling, could you help me over there?"

Miles supported her, but his pupils suddenly constricted. He knew at once that something was wrong.

Her palm was slick with sweat, and a fine sheen of perspiration covered her temples.

’She’s in agony. She’s forcing herself to stand.’

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!