"They've already issued a clarification? That was fast. It hasn't even been trending in the entertainment news for that long."
Duncan picked up his phone as well and checked the entertainment news in Clearfield.
After seeing the statement released by Flemming Group, he said, "That Flemming girl really doesn't have any feelings for Sonny, huh? She doesn't even know how to seize an opportunity like this.
"Sonny must feel differently about her. Otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to Old Mr. Flemming's request while being fully aware that people would misunderstand. It can't be that he simply couldn't bring himself to refuse. If he genuinely didn't want to, not even a king could talk him into it."
Duncan was not Sonny's biological father but had known Sonny since the latter was two years old. Later, he became Sonny's stepfather and took on the role of a father, giving the boy paternal love.
Sonny had been deeply influenced by his stepfather.
"Sonny isn't against marriage. He said he just hasn't met a woman who's made his heart skip a beat. That's why he's remained single all these years. Whenever we try to introduce someone to him, he always says he's already met them and isn't interested.
"I wonder what kind of woman he actually likes. From the looks of things, it seems Everly might be his type."
As Sonny's stepfather, Duncan understood him well. And as Sonny's mother, Liberty understood her son even better.
"Everly has too many things to consider. She's very clear-headed and isn't someone who falls for people easily. Still, I hope they can eventually fall in love with each other."
Her marriage to Duncan had been a strong partnership between two capable people, and they built a very happy life together.
In all the years they had been married, they had never had a serious argument.
Part of it was because Duncan always showed her the best part of himself, and whenever they disagreed, Liberty always chose to communicate rather than argue. If there was a misunderstanding or conflict, they resolved it on the same day instead of letting it carry over into the night.
Otherwise, the misunderstandings would deepen.
After experiencing one failed marriage, Liberty had been extremely serious and careful about building her marriage with Duncan.
Duncan doted on her, and she doted on him just as much.
The people in Jensburg often said that among all the spouses chosen by the heads of the Fisher family, Liberty's husband, Duncan, was the most exceptional.
That was why Liberty hoped her son and future daughter-in-law would also form a strong partnership. She did not want Sonny to marry a woman who was too weak.
She had once been vulnerable in a marriage and had been taken advantage of because of it. She knew firsthand that women who were weak would end up at a disadvantage.
Thus, even though she knew that Sonny would never have an affair the way Hank did, she did not want her future daughter-in-law to be weak.
Fortunately, Sonny had good judgment. There was no way he would choose a woman who was just a pretty face and easily pushed around.
"Sonny is an outstanding man. Everly will fall for him eventually. As you said, she's clear-headed and has too many things to consider. She needs time to think everything through. She'll probably want to test Sonny too.
"Let's just watch and let them handle it. There's no need to intervene.
Duncan said, "It's not like we could interfere even if we wanted to. Both Sonny and Jiggy are very independent."
Although Jeanne was only in her
twenties, Duncan had already
started keeping an eye out for
potential matches for his daughter. He wanted to find a man whose abilities and family background were somewhat below hers, but who had an excellent character.
Jeanne would eventually become the matriarch of the Fisher family, which meant her husband would have to move in with the Fishers.
Duncan would never accept a man who was too incapable, like the husband of the previous matriarch. Apart from fathering children, that man had been practically useless in every other aspect.
"Honey, shouldn't we start thinking about Jiggy's future too?"
Liberty laughed. "She's still young. Even if she eventually marries, I can't bear to see
it happen so soon. Let her enjoy being single for a few more years."
She looked at her husband. "Do you already have someone in mind?"
Duncan shook his head. "No. Every single one of all these so-called promising young men seems to have a pile of flaws. They're not good enough for our daughter."
Liberty laughed again. "You fathers
are all the same. You look at a future son-in-law as if he's your enemy: Even when there's nothing wrong with the man, you dig around und you find a flaw somewhere."