Chapter 47
Sir Victor raised an eyebrow, but Oliver continued before anyone could interrupt.
"Father... with all due respect, that’s ridiculous. You’re talking about Cora here. A woman who values self-respect. A woman who’s been through enough. And you want me to convince her to be with Williams? The same Williams who jumps from one woman to the next without thinking twice? The same Williams whose reputation alone could send Cora running in the opposite direction?"
Williams frowned but stayed quiet.
Oliver didn’t stop. "Let’s not pretend here. Cora knows Williams. She knows him too well. That’s why she’d never consider him, even for a second. Do you remember when she visited our house that first time?"
Sir Victor stayed silent.
Oliver pointed at his brother. "Williams was there. Right there. He didn’t waste time. He actually offered himself to Cora—told her he’d be loyal and all that nonsense. And what did she do? She turned him down on the spot. No delay. No second thought. Just no. Instantly."
He turned to Williams, staring him down. "Did you even tell Father about that? Or were you too embarrassed to admit you got rejected faster than you could finish your sentence?"
Williams shifted uncomfortably. "It wasn’t like that—"
Oliver cut in, "It was like that. You know it. She didn’t even look back at you. You couldn’t change her mind then, and nothing about you has changed now."