Chapter 7: Freedom at Last

Mr. Jennings sipped tea, saying nothing, but seemed in a good mood. Actually, before the meeting, I thought the Jennings family wanted a wife for Adam, but Mrs. Jennings and Mr. Jennings’ attitude was odd. Mrs. Jennings cared about my interaction with Adam but seemed more concerned with Mr. Jennings’ opinion. Most importantly, Mr. Jennings never acted distant toward me, unlike a future sister-in-law should. If not poor character, then there was a secret in the matchmaking. I’m not a true society girl, so I must plan ahead. I had Melody investigate; as Oak & Vine’s manager, she easily found out that the Jennings family never intended Adam to marry, but wanted a daughter-in-law who could get along with him and take care of him. So they let it be known they sought a wife for Adam, and society girls avoided them, letting Uncle Mark seize the chance, and the good match fell to me. But that didn’t explain why Mrs. Jennings was vague about who I was engaged to. I asked Mr. Jennings: "Was this your mother’s test? She heard you’re clever and wanted to see if you’d notice the flaw, and if you did, whether you’d understand her intentions and still want to marry. If you did, could you seize the chance to exchange the documents."

Mr. Jennings smiled: "Mother praised you for a long time after getting the documents, saying the Jennings family needed a daughter-in-law like you. Adam praised you too."

I didn’t expect such a... impolite reason. But thinking about it, Mrs. Jennings’ actions made sense. If the Jennings family had no strategy, the Whitaker family would be their future. Ah, if possible, who wouldn’t want to be simple? I thought of Adam and smiled. Mr. Jennings relaxed, chatting with me. "How did you get Uncle Mark to agree to the marriage?"

I laughed: "You might not believe it, but Uncle Mark probably never looked at the documents."

It’s embarrassing, but not for me—for the Whitaker family. On the day of the exchange, Uncle Mark and Aunt Susan received the pastor. I had Quinn send two maids to Savannah’s door, whispering that the documents should go to the head mistress, not Aunt Susan, so second Miss should take them. Savannah rushed to the main hall, ready to fight for the documents. Uncle Mark, annoyed, wanted to finish quickly, so when the pastor handed him the documents, he gave them to Aunt Susan without thinking—after all, Savannah was a junior. But Savannah insisted, and Aunt Susan refused to let go. The documents were never properly checked. I finished happily; Mr. Jennings listened intently, smiling when I did, looking surprised when I was helpless. Is this what’s called responding to every word? My heart rippled like a spring lake. I blurted out: "Why not break off the engagement?"

Only after did I realize what I’d asked, my face burning. I dared not look at him, but my ears waited for his answer. "Hmm... many reasons. We were once poor, with nothing to eat. Later, Grandpa and Dad joined the army, then took me and my brother, and things improved. My mom’s family is also humble; she’s better at riding than managing. She always wanted a daughter-in-law good at managing, not caring much for family background..."

He hesitated, then continued honestly: "If we married a society girl, it would attract jealousy."

He didn’t say who would be jealous, but I knew he meant the mayor. "But what if I’m removed from the Whitaker family register?"

Mr. Jennings was surprised: "Would the Whitaker family abandon a girl marrying into the Jennings family?"

That’s not certain. But I pressed: "What if?"

—A bit of pettiness; I never acted like this before. Mr. Jennings was unconcerned: "No problem, because I like you."

His words hung in the air, soft and sure. I felt my heart flutter, a strange new feeling I wasn’t sure I wanted to name.

Mr. Jennings questioning me about breaking off the engagement, right after Trevor drove me out, quickly spread through Maple Heights—thanks to Melody. Since that day, Melody and Quinn praised him three times a day, Bobby five times. Was I annoyed? Mr. Jennings really did leave for Boston in two days. Before leaving, he visited, saying he’d finish quickly and return to marry his beautiful bride. I punched him; he stole my hairpin. I stood on tiptoe to snatch it back, but he hid it. He said, "Evie, next time, I hope you’ll call my name."

I looked at him, neither agreeing nor refusing. He didn’t push, waved, and left. I didn’t see him off, waiting at Oak & Vine for the Whitaker family’s reaction. Now that they knew I owned Oak & Vine, what would Trevor do? Now that they knew I was marrying Mr. Jennings, what would Uncle Mark do? A few days ago, my only plan was for myself—if all else failed, I’d just leave. But now... my future had changed, and I needed to plan more.

The Whitaker family didn’t keep me waiting. The day after Mr. Jennings left, the authorities delivered a lawsuit. Trevor accused me of stealing the Whitaker family’s money to open Oak & Vine, demanding it back. I took Melody, Quinn, and Bobby to the courthouse, already crowded with onlookers. I saw the assistant from Mr. Jennings’ side in a good spot, openly supporting me. In court, only Trevor was present, not the second branch—how calculating. Trevor spoke first: "Your Honor, Evelyn Whitaker was adopted by my mom. Before coming to the Whitaker family, her family was so poor they couldn’t spare a coin—how could she open Oak & Vine? She must have used the Whitaker family’s money!"

The courtroom was packed, every seat filled with neighbors, friends, and a few enemies. The judge listened patiently, his gavel resting on the bench. I stood tall, refusing to let Trevor’s accusations shake me.

He spoke righteously, and I was sure he truly believed it. "Does the trustee have evidence?"

The judge’s voice was calm, measured. Trevor hesitated, glancing at the crowd.

"Do I need evidence? Every coin on her comes from the Whitaker family! Even her allowance!"

His voice was shrill, desperate. The judge frowned, unimpressed.

The judge stroked his beard, noncommittal: "Miss Whitaker, do you have a defense?"

I bowed properly and calmly said: "Your Honor, I never stole from the Whitaker family. On the contrary, all its expenses these years were earned by me."