He turned his full attention to Jack. “This is not personal,” he said, his voice firm. “But I cannot approve this marriage.”The statement settled heavily over the table.Margaret looked away quietly, her silence signaling agreement. She might have felt some sympathy for Jack, but sympathy was not enough to change reality.Jack calmly folded his napkin and placed it beside his plate. “I understand your concerns.”Richard looked at him, surprised. “You do?”“I would likely feel the same in your position.”The admission caught the entire table off guard.“You would?” Richard asked, narrowing his eyes.“Of course,” Jack replied evenly. “A father wants what is best for his daughter.”Richard studied him carefully, and for the first time that evening, a flicker of guilt stirred beneath his frustration. The young man was not rude, nor arrogant, nor desperate for approval. If anything, he seemed almost too reasonable.Unfortunately, reason alone could not bridge the gap between them.“I appr