The voice of Mr. Aiken on the other end of the phone sounded a bit dazed after hearing Ivan Horne's question. After gathering his thoughts, he tentatively asked, "I wonder what Mr. Horne means?" Did Ivan Horne have an interest in Lia Aiken? If that's the case, he surely wouldn't consider an alliance with the Aibileen Family anymore. But if Ivan Horne isn't interested in Lia, then a marriage alliance with the Aibileen Family might be his backup plan.

Mr. Aiken had to keep a backup plan for himself.

"I mean it literally, is it hard to answer? Mr. Aiken just needs to answer yes or no."

Mr. Aiken hesitated for a moment, then honestly replied, "I quite admire the young man from the Aibileen Family, so I want Lia Aiken to marry him."

Admire?

Ivan Horne sneered, "Mr. Aiken is indeed unique in his view, admire Ethan Aibileen's habit of changing women like clothes? Is Lia Aiken your biological daughter? As her father, you're choosing a man like Ethan Aibileen for her, are you really doing it for Lia's good?"

Mr. Aiken really wanted to say, what does this have to do with Ivan Horne? Even if the Aiken Family wanted to cooperate with the Valence Group, and even though Ivan Horne held the power, he shouldn't meddle in such matters, right?

Is Lia Aiken his biological daughter?

Mr. Aiken thought bitterly in his heart. Lia had a blood relationship with him, but she wasn't his biological daughter. The betrayal from his ex-wife was too profound and severe.

"Mr. Horne, Ethan Aibileen was a bit whimsical before marriage, but I think after marriage, he might settle down. Lia... should be able to make him settle down." Mr. Aiken answered in a manner that he thought wouldn't offend Ivan Horne and wouldn't cut off his own backup plan.

Ivan Horne was speechless for a moment.

Having been in the business world for many years, he had seen those who forced their daughters or sisters to marry people who could benefit their family business, and he looked down upon those people.

When they lack ability, they think of maintaining their business through marriage, which is too naive.

Don't they think deeply? Sometimes in-laws might become those who take advantage of the situation, because they inherently can't keep hold of the company. Even if marriage temporarily dissolves the crisis, the family helping them is also a wolf; business is like a battlefield, sometimes kin becomes opponent, not to mention just in-laws.

To put it bluntly, if Ivan Horne were to marry into the Aiken Family and then swallow Aiken Corporation, what could Mr. Aiken do to him? He could even divorce Lia Aiken after swallowing the Aiken Corporation.

An alliance in the business world could be between equals, those alliances are a matter of power complement. If one side is weak and the other strong, unless the strong side loves the other side deeply, such alliances easily evolve into wolves eating sheep.

However, as of now, the Aiken and Aibileen Families are considered equal. Ethan Aibileen is too lustful and only knows how to indulge in debauchery; his capability is not considered good. With Mr. Aiken still alive, at least he doesn't need to worry about being devoured by the Aibileen Family.

"Is Lia Aiken willing?" Ivan Horne, after his silence, countered Mr. Aiken's question.

"Well, Mr. Horne... that, this is a family matter, right?" Ivan Horne had only briefly met Lia Aiken at the airport, there was no follow-up afterward. Why would Ivan Horne ask about Lia Aiken after a seven-day gap?

Mr. Aiken really couldn't fathom Ivan Horne's intentions.

Standing up for Lia was apparent, but why stand up for her?

After pursing his lips, Ivan Horne then articulated, "Since Mr. Aiken insists, I can't say much. Having Ethan Aibileen as a rival doesn't mean much. I can easily outmatch him, making him lose with no complaints."

Mr. Aiken was stunned.

Ivan Horne didn't openly say he liked Lia Aiken, but treating Ethan Aibileen as a rival meant he liked Lia Aiken.

Did love at first sight really happen between Ivan Horne and Lia Aiken?

The women who adored Ivan Horne would cry themselves to death knowing this; they've longed for him for years, some even struggle to see him once, yet Lia Aiken easily won with love at first sight.

"Sorry for disturbing you so late, Mr. Aiken. Wish you a good dream." Ivan Horne politely hung up the phone. After all, with him around, he wouldn't allow Lia Aiken to be touched by that womanizing Ethan Aibileen.

Mr. Aiken took a long time to recover, and it was unclear whether his expression was one of joy or concern.

He was genuinely afraid of offending Ivan Horne, and genuinely thought Ivan might have an interest in Lia Aiken, but when it truly happened, he found it hard to digest.

Lia Aiken was indeed beautiful, but Ivan Horne has seen all kinds of beauties, hasn't he? Despite his many years in the business world at such a young age, no one has seen him interested in any woman, yet just meeting Lia Aiken at the airport convinced him.

Mr. Aiken thought it was too dramatic.

He had no idea there was more to it after Lia and Ivan's airport meeting, all thanks to Lena Horne, the little matchmaker.

"What's up? Was it Mr. Horne calling again?" Celine Taylor opened the door and saw her husband dazed with his phone, casually asked.

In Celine Taylor's eyes, only Mr. Horne could make her husband show such an expression.

"When will Lia come back, that stubborn girl? This afternoon, Mrs. Aibileen brought a generous gift and revisited the marriage alliance topic between our families, saying Ethan Aibileen likes Lia Aiken and insists on marrying her." Celine Taylor walked over and sat next to Mr. Aiken.

Seeing Mr. Aiken still staring at his phone, she took it from his hands and placed it on the coffee table in front of them, telling him, "Mrs. Aibileen always spoils her son. Once Ethan says he wants to marry, this marriage can't be avoided. Darling, you shouldn't always be trying to butter up Mr. Horne. In my opinion, Valence Group has no intention of cooperating with us. Otherwise, they wouldn't delay so long without responding."

Mr. Aiken was silent.

Now, the path in front of him was much broader than just the Aibileen Family, he had to reconsider.

But, truth be told, Mr. Aiken often used Lia's beauty, not truly hoping for Lia to marry well; if Ivan Horne merely wanted to toy with Lia, he could definitely let Lia fall into Ivan's bed for manipulation. However, Ivan doesn't play with women. Since saying such words means he genuinely cares for Lia.

What kind of family is the Horne Family? That vengeful woman's daughter might, due to his single decision, marry into such a good family like the Horne Family, how could Mr. Aiken be content?

In River City, there are other families equal to the Aiken Family, not just the Aibileen Family, but Mr. Aiken deliberately chose the Aibileen Family just not wanting Lia to marry well, right?

"Darling, what did Mr. Horne say on the phone?" Seeing her husband still silent, Celine Taylor asked with concern.

Mr. Aiken remained silent for a long time, then said, "Decline the Aibileen Family's proposal, just say Lia Aiken would never agree to marry Ethan Aibileen."

Celine Taylor blinked, then immediately embraced one of Mr. Aiken's arms, cozily leaning onto him, softly asked, "Why suddenly reject the proposal? Didn't you say you had ways to get Lia to agree to the marriage? Did Mr. Horne say something?"

She was most afraid that Mr. Horne had an interest in Lia.

Since returning from T City, regardless of how she asked, her husband said nothing. Celine Taylor still felt something changed; otherwise, he wouldn't have so kindly let Lia stay in T City, what changed his mind had to be Ivan Horne.