Chapter 303 - Marriage

Lord Knightley was still working in his office when a storm arrived in his office. Even though his mother seemed like the spring, she brought along with her the cold spring whilst his father was like the arctic winter cold and unfriendly. 

"Dear Rob, tell me what has your daughter done this time?" Elder Lady Knightley inquired curious as to why her son suddenly wish to dine lunch together. 

"You rascal, when do you plan on telling me that my granddaughter is being bullied again? They even found a fake family for he!." Elder Knightley roared like a lion, so fiercely that all the staff around them were shaken by the man's loud and furious voice. When he found out about the news from one of his old friends, the whole palace was about to be turned into ruins. Luckily, his wife arrived in time to save the palace from its destruction.

The crowd around broke into indistinct whispers.

"I saw the news about the Young Princess too. Those people really have angered the master." 

"I don't know what the Young Princess was thinking to even agree with it. I'm sure that Lady Zhao is furious. The Madam has dreamt day and night of taking her daughter out into the public." 

Those busybody secretariats' lips were then sealed shut when they were glared by Winston. Right now, Winston just wanted to end this day without any casualties, especially since Professor Petrovich showed up which means he brought grave news since his master didn't even show the man out. 

"Winston, prepare the car." Lord Knightley grabbed his coat as he headed out of the office ignoring both of his parents' complaints. 

"Woman, this is all your fault for spoiling him." Elder Lord Knightley pointed his fingers at his wife annoyed that his son ignored as if he was a nobody.

"Ha, you dare point your fingers at a princess? It seems like you're forgetting which country we're currently in. Don't forget old man, I am still a princess of this country and your act of pointing your finger at me will be considered as insulting the royal family." Elder Lady Knightley responded with a proud and yet stern look on her face. 

"You..." 

"Are you coming or not?" Lord Knightley turned around to face his parents before a war erupts in his office, something he had no time to tend to. 

Both elders followed their son obediently and did not say a single word to each other even after they enter the care which was a delight to Lord Knightley. He simply has too much in mind right now for him to bother.

When the couple got out of the car, they were surprised by where they were standing. 

Elder Lady Knightley was curious as to why they were situated at a restaurant that they don't own. "Why here?"

"You'll find out soon." Lord Knightley answered as they headed inside the restaurant. 

The restaurant was a classic American style restaurant. Beautifully decorated with a black and white scheme for the interior and embellished with beautiful golden details all over the place. Every corner of the place was magnificent. 

"Lord Knightley, this way, please." The manager greeted them as he guides them to a private room. 

"Are we too meet someone?"  Elder Lord Knightley inquired by whispering to his wife. 

"I think we are..." She responded in a similar manner.

"Who?" 

Both of them were eager to know who is the person they'll be meeting, especially since it's during their son's working hours, they never expected that they would be involved in any of the family business again. 

"Lord Knightley." 

The soft voice of a young man echoed, a familiar voice that sent chills down the couple's spine. Their faces immediately turned pale in a daze after seeing the young man in front of them. Not a minute passed by without the elderly couple venting their displeasure to their son about the very man in front of them. 

"Are you out of your mind?! Are you going to tell me that we are here to meet him?!" Elder Lord Knightley could not hold back his anger and even glared disgustingly at his own son.

"Boy, have you lost your mind?! This b*stard broke your daughter's heart! Are you just forgive him just because he invited you to lunch, to offer you some goddamn business?!?!" 

Elder Lady Knightley was not pleased with the situation as well and was overwhelmed with the situation in front of her that her emotions got the better of her. "Mr. Stanford, how dare you even have the guts to come into this country, after you broke beloved granddaughter's heart. How much are you offering my son that he's willing to give you some face? Tell Me! I'd rather destroy our family than let you see my granddaughter again."

Jayden Stanford was in a daze with what was happening. A moment ago his face lit up in delight at the sight of the man gracing him with his presence. However, he did not expect that his parents would be joining them. The light that was glowing around him soon faded away after hearing all the harsh words the couple used to berate him.

"I-" 

"Robert! For goodness' sake... Money means nothing if it means selling your own precious blood. Sell the goddamn company if you must but don't ever get Lizzy involved." Elder Lord Knightley was about to hit his son when the man grabs hold of his hand. "You..."

Lord Knightley pushed his father's hand aside and coldly looked at him. He may be his father, but in terms of status, he was by far superior and is respected by others more than his father was. "Calm down will you, I'll explain everything later..." 

The couple calmed down and looked at each other. They know their son very well, he would rather kill the boy than see him. This could only mean his planning something or something must have happened to their granddaughter. 

All four of them were seated together as they awaited for their meal. Jayden Stanford turned mute, his expression stiff as he was unable to speak his mind at all. He planned how he would explain himself to Lord Knightley earlier and his true feeling towards Elizabeth. But after what happened just then, he lost his courage to even greet them. 

"Speak!" Elder Lord Knightley forcefully opened the conversation for the two to begin explaining the reason behind their gathering.

"You heard the man, speak." Lord Knightley added as he continues to indulge himself in the wine his drinking. 

"I'm here to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage." Jayden Stanford did not hold back and followed the practice he did for conversing only with Lord Knightley.

The three Knightleys were taken aback by what the boy just sprouted. They did not expect him to speak so boldly in front of them after what just happened. 

"What nonsense are you talking about boy, do you even know who our granddaughter is?" Elder Lady Knightley forced back his laughter while speaking, finding it ridiculous to take in.

"Liz, Li Zi, Lizzy, Elizabeth, only an idiot won't realize who she is. I've realized who she was after I made that stupid mistake... You must be proud of her when she stood tall and proud on the stage when giving her speech. I was so surprised then, but then I realized she has always been telling me who she was, but I was the one too blind to realize it." 

Neither Lord Knightley nor the elderly Knightley couple interrupted the boy. That is because he seems to be sincerely pouring his inner thoughts judging by his words. They are still holding a great hatred towards the boy but right now, the regrets on his face and the pain he has felt are showing up on his face. 

"I know you see me as the most heinous sc.u.mbag of all men, but back then I was just a fool not knowing what right in front of him until it was too late. Even before I knew who she was, I've been trying to reach out to her but I can't. So here I am trying to ask you to allow me to win her back. I know Liz still loves me and I can prove it to you." 

"Prove it?" Elder Lord Knightley was curious about how the boy can prove to them that his granddaughter still has feelings for him. 

"Here..." 

Jayden Stanford passed them the video of the photoshoot they did last time. The couple was surprised that the two have encountered each other again but what shocked them the most was the fact their son seems to have known about it already. From the look of the photo, it does seem like their granddaughter still has feelings for the boy. 

"So you're telling me to force my daughter into marriage with you?" Lord Knightley placed his wine glass down and emotionlessly looked at the young man.

"Of course, not... I-I mean... Wouldn't a marriage between us better than the man she's currently with?" Jayden Stanford suggested only stating that his status is greater than Yun Shen. He is the heir to the Stanford family, one of the top families in the western side of the country. 

Of course, they know that Jayden is far better than Shen. Not only in status but the fact that he can protect their granddaughter. Who would dare bully the wife of the Stanford family heir? Even if the world does not know that their granddaughter is a Knightley, she would be safe with just that. Plus, the Stanford family does not care about one's status in life as long they have a respectable background. The fact that Elizabeth is a well-known actress means the Stanford family will welcome her with open arms.

"Liz doesn't even need to announce she's your family. She doesn't need to carry your name. Her status as an actress is good enough for my family to accept her. As you know, my younger sister is an actress as well. With Liz's skills, she can enter Hollywood without any problem and I'll be there to support her all the way there." 

"So, you wish for us to unite you? Declare that the two of you are engaged?" Elder Lord Knightley placed down all the photos as he looked at the man with a serious expression on his face as he observes every line on his face carefully.

"If possible, yes..." Jayden Stanford gathers all his wits as he answered him face to face, "Liz has too many enemies and I don't like seeing her being bullied. They have no rights, to bully her."

Elder Lady Knightley was taken aback by the young man's words. All she wanted was someone to protect her granddaughter, but then something struck her. "But wait, isn't the Young Master of the Feng family also in love with Lizzy?" 

Jayden Stanford was blown away for a moment. He clearly investigated all the men who showed interest towards the girl. Going by what he knew, There were only two actors and added to the fray the young heir of the Yuns. But to think that the Young Master of Feng is one of his competitors as well. 

"That's true, didn't Weiwei mentioned last time he'd rather see Lizzy with Young Feng. He is a good man and comes from a respectable family as well." Elder Lord Knightley lost track of the conversation and started to talk about the past conversation the family had about Feng Xiaotong. 

"Do you still think you're the only one suited for her?" Lord Knightley cold words struck Jayden like cold water, snapping him back to his senses.

"I'm sure you know, your family is on par with the Fengs." 

Jayden Stanford clenched his fist in annoyance. He did not expect he would have such a fearsome competitor in the conquest for Elizabeth's heart. 

Elder Lord Knightley saw how dark the young man's expression turned. He saw this as an opportunity to take down the boy's hope. Between him and Yun Shen, he hates him more. "True, Young Feng is indeed a good boy. From what I recall, he only gave way because of his friendship with Shen. But if we do arrange a marriage between them, I'm sure neither of them would disapprove. It is normal for family like ours to set our children's future marriage."

Jayden Stanford felt like he just fell into a deep abyss and lost sight of everything. If what the old man said about the man giving way because of his friend it means if the man does make a move he'll be in big trouble. Just he was about to give up all hope, the image of the girl's beautiful smile in the past and the way she looked at him during the pictorial flashed into his mind. He lifted his head up and faced them. "Then, I'll just have to fight anyone that goes in my way." 

Lord Knightley's lips almost formed a slight smile, he saw the young man's determination and thought; 'He might be able to save Lizzy, if not him... Seems like I need my wife to push Young Feng to be with my daughter. But, we'll still see what Shen can do.'