A deep silence filled the hall of the Frost family. Lily, who is fed up with her stubborn family, stood in wait for the old man's judgment.
Including Das, all the family members were eagerly waiting for the judgment of the old man.
After much thought, Luis Frost, the patriarch of the Frost family and grandfather of Lily, turned towards his first son, Ryon. Ryon is the father of Eric and first in command after the patriarch.
"Ryon, what is your opinion on this matter?" The old man, Luis, asked in a serious tone.
Ryon, who always had a grudge against Lily's family, acted like he was in deep thought before replying to the old man. "Father, my brother's family, definitely brought shame onto our Frost family. Because of Lily's irresponsible act, every member of our family is suffering today. But we can't change what has already happened.
According to family rules, my brother James's family must be sent as servants to our main family in England. Also, we should never agree to Lily's marriage with a criminal."
Just as Ryon said that, Lily stepped forward and exclaimed, "My family will never leave India. Uncle Ryon, don't use this chance to throw us out of the family."
Ryon laughed loudly at her aggressive statement. Before anyone spoke, Ryon stood up and continued to express his opinion.
"Respected Father and members of Frost family, my personal opinion is different from the family rules. I want to consider my brother James's request to accept a criminal into our family.
But as a punishment, Lily must marry this criminal within two days to put a stop to these rumours. Also, Lily's family will lose half of their claim to family wealth, and their preference position will change from second to last.
Now, both options are before them. My brother can choose whatever he wants." Ryon spoke in a scholarly tone and sat back in his chair with a prideful smile.
Lily tried to convince the old man again. But all her cries have gone in vain. Now, everyone wants to see what Lily's father, James, would choose out of two choices.
"Father, is your judgement same as brother?" James asked the old man with a straight look.
Patriarch Luis nodded his head with a grim face.
With a heavy sigh, James turned his head and looked at his wife and daughter. Soon, his gaze landed on Das. Both of them stared at each other with serious faces.
James turned back towards patriarch Luis. "Father, as my daughter said, my family will never leave India. So, I chose the second option. As your wish, my daughter's marriage with this young man will be held..."
James suddenly stopped speaking as he heard a loud clapping from behind. Das, who stood calmly till now, finally walked forward with a loud mocking laughter.
"You don't have the right to interfere. Stay where you are." Suddenly Eric, the son of Ryon, stood up and showed a threatening finger to Das.
But just as Das focused his gaze on Eric, he immediately sat down with a bit of strange fear. He felt like he was staring at a beast at that moment.
"What a bunch of selfish idiots and lunatics." Das said loudly while stopping beside Lily in the center of the hall.
"You...!" Ryon tried to stand up and threaten Das. But Das stomped his feet on the floor with an angry glare. Ryon felt a shiver run behind his back.
"I never expected to see another family like mine. But what could I say? You guys are the worst kind of humans I have ever seen. Don't you feel any shame? All of you are trying to push the blame onto a girl without knowing the actual truth.
For the sake of your family politics, you are all trying to spoil the life of an honest lady."
"What happened to you, sir?" Das turned towards Lily's father, James. "You are acting like a righteous father by letting your daughter marry a criminal. But why are you not trusting her words? What if everything your daughter said was the damn truth? Aren't you going to spoil her life with your own hands?"
James eyes went wide in stupor and he turned his gaze towards Lily.
Das turned around and shifted his gaze to the old man. "What a good patriarch you are. Instead of trying to keep the family pride, you are shattering it with your own hands. I really pity our ancestors for giving birth to such a patriarch."
"Das… stop!" Lily cried out in a hurry. She is afraid that Das will be implicated by her, and the Frost family will make his life hard.
After taking a deep look at the patriarch Luis, Das turned towards Lily. "Before coming here, I already warned you. But you didn't listen. Now you see what happened. People only believe what they want to believe.
At least, be careful with these lunatics from now on. I'm getting late, so I will leave now. Thanks for the dress." Das replied while staring into Lily's eyes.
"Wait… I will come with you to give an explanation." Lily said it in a hurry.
"It's okay. I can manage." Das replied and moved forward.
Just as Das took a step forward, Ryon stopped him with a quick shout. "Just because you are a criminal doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. You will be punished severely for scolding my father and family members. One call from me, and the criminal zone commissioner will toss you back in 'D' zone." Ryon threatened in a serious tone to prove his position before family members.
Without turning back, Das replied, "Vikram Das. Sector 13, house number 1, 'A' Zone. Do whatever you can."
After saying that Das left the old villa of the Frost family while driving his old ambassador,.
Just as Das left, all the family members raised their voices on the James family. Everyone blamed Lily for bringing a criminal into the house. Eric used this chance to corner the James family entirely.
"How dare he speak like that? An outsider dared to curse the patriarch. Today, uncle James's daughter brought shame on the family."
"James, it seems you don't know how to raise children. At least keep your second daughter in control."
James stood like a mountain while bearing all the comments. But Lily's mother, Ruby, couldn't bear these comments. She tried to talk back and quarrel with everyone.
Suddenly, the old man, patriarch Luis, stood up and stomped his cane on the floor. Everyone became pin-drop silent and stared at Luis to hear his command.
"James, you have two days' time. Either marry your daughter to anyone she likes or go to England as servants. Choice is yours." The old man declared it in a stern tone.