"Although my parents are no longer with us, I still have family. My adoptive parents and master are still alive and well, and they're my elders just the same.
"They'll help me assess my future wife. I have much more trust in their judgment than I have in yours."
The moment Laurence said that, the expressions of all eight elders seated in that office twisted slightly.
Laurence was essentially telling them that he did not want them interfering with his marriage.
It was precisely what they wanted to do. By controlling his marriage, they could ensure they chose his wife, and therefore she would be on their side and obedient to them.
If they allowed Laurence's adoptive parents and master to take charge of his marriage, his missus would definitely be someone impressive, who would become Laurence's strong ally and be adversaries to the elders instead.
"It's better for the family elders to take point in your marriage. No matter how you look at it, we're still all members of the Longbottom family. Regardless of branch distance, we are still your uncles."
"Why would I need your help with regards to my marriage? Aren't I the one getting married? I'm the one who'll be married to my wife, so at least I have to like her, don't you think so? If I'm not satisfied with her, how am I going to spend the rest of my life with her?
"Didn't you guys say I can look for someone myself? I have someone I've liked for a very long time now."
The elders' gazes flickered and they pretended to be pleasantly surprised. Though he knew the answer, Tony asked, "Which family's princess is it? Tell us and we'll help you propose to them."
"She's the Johnson family's princess, but her surname isn't Johnson. She's a Longbottom, Noelle Longbottom, more commonly known as just Noelle."
Laurence reached behind to pull Noelle to stand beside him and said to the group, “Noelle and I grew up together. We're childhood friends and we have an eighteen- year bond between us. She understands me, I understand her, and we know each other like the back of our hands.
“My adoptive mother said she's taking her as her goddaughter, so she's considered a daughter of the Johnson family too, and a match of equal social status for me. It'll solidify the ties between our families further."
He was Jane's adoptive son, so with Noelle becoming Jane's goddaughter, that was cementing the ties between their families.
If they were afraid of others wagging their tongues, he could get his Aunt Cheryl to take Noelle in as her goddaughter too.
Oh, right, Aunt Seren had also said before she wanted Noelle to be her goddaughter. If Noelle wanted, she could be a daughter of the Johnsons and the Yorks.
The group of old men exchanged glances.
Noelle's cold expression did not change as she stood tall beside Laurence, though her gaze was piercing.
Tony was precisely most afraid of Laurence and Noelle getting together because he had had too many a taste of Noelle's capability. If they became husband and wife, that would truly be two giants joining forces.
"You're already Mrs. Johnson's adopted son. If Noelle is Mrs. Johnson's goddaughter, that makes you two siblings. If you get together, tongues will wag." Even if the two were not related by blood.
"If people are going to gossip, any of my aunts can adopt Noelle as their goddaughter. Either way, she's a daughter of the Johnson family, and you guys know how powerful the Johnsons are. They're definitely on even footing with us Longbottoms.."
Laurence had many aunts. If any one of them adopted Noelle as their goddaughter, Noelle would be a Johnson daughter. Even if she was only a goddaughter, no one would dare look down on her.
Everyone loved Noelle dearly, and if she wanted, she would have plenty of godmothers.
"Noelle's just your bodyguard. Even if she were acknowledged by Mrs. Johnson as a goddaughter, she's just a goddaughter and not a real daughter of the Johnson family.
"Noelle is not worthy of you in terms of status."
Tony bluntly said to Noelle's face. In their view, Noelle was not worthy of Laurence.