?<strong>Chapter 460:</strong>


    In their twilight years, surrounded by a lifetime of power and pretense, genuine affection was what they valued most. Setting aside his newspaper, Shawn interjected thoughtfully, “Kristopher may not have been the most attentive husband recently, but he and Lise do share a history. It would be heartless of him to remain indifferent to her struggles.”


    “I see your point, Shawn,” Carrie replied, although she harbored reservations. She recognized the challenge for Shawn, once a patriarch, to fully grasp her perspective, given their different life experiences and generational gaps. Despite these differences, she respected that their intentions were good, choosing not to debate the nuances of the situation. Adults understand that life isn’t just ck or white; it’s aplex spectrum of gray, where motives and truths intertwine.


    Just then, a servant approached them. “Mr. Norris, Mrs. Norris, Mrs. Carrie Norris, dinner is served.”


    Carrie turned to the servant with a grateful smile. “Your cooking is always so delightful. I seem to eat too much every time I visit Norris Mansion.”


    Mny chimed in cheerfully, “I heard your cook left recently. Since you enjoy the food here so much, why not have her stay on at Bayview Vi? You’re looking a bit slender, especially if you’re considering a baby soon. You’re quite photogenic as is, no need to chase after some unrealistic ideal of slimness.”


    “Understood, Mny,” Carrie responded warmly, assisting Mny to her feet. Pulling at the newspaper in Shawn’s hand, Mny urged, “Put that away, Shawn. Let’s eat.”


    As Carrie assisted Mny towards the dining table, her phone began to ring. She ensured Mny was settled in her chair before answering the call. On the screen, the caller ID read “Daxton.”


    Catching sight of the name, Mny’s eyebrow arched in intrigue. She leaned towards Shawn, asking softly, “Daxton… isn’t he…?”


    Shawn nodded and responded, “He’s Kristopher’s nephew.”


    Mny’s confusion grew. “Aren’t Kristopher and the Garcia family estranged?”


    “Daxton was actually ahead of me in college,” Carrie replied. “Back then, I was unaware of his ties to Kristopher’s family.”


    A knowing smile crossed Mny’s face. “Such a small world, isn’t it? Keeping in touch with rtives is generally a positive thing.”


    Yet, her smile faded into a contemtive sigh. She continued, slightly wistful, “Kristopher often seems detached. In families like ours, it’s easy to feel like blood rtions are just distant connections. However, some bonds, unseen, persistently pull us together. Ignoring them doesn’t make them vanish.”


    While Carrie had never delved deeply into the dynamics between Kristopher and the Garcia family, believing familial distances were normal, Mny’sments now sparked her interest. Turning to Mny, she inquired, “Is there a specific issue between Kristopher and Daxton?”


    Mny looked taken aback. “Hasn’t Kristopher discussed this with you?”


    Carrie’s eyes dropped, and she shook her head. “Kristopher tends tomunicate more like a director than a partner. He’s only warned me to keep away from Daxton, without much exnation.”


    Mny affirmed with a nod. “Indeed, the rift between Kristopher and the Garcia family stemmed from business disagreements. As you might know, the Norris family strictly prohibits any association with gambling, drugs, or simr vices.”


    Carrie acknowledged this with a nod. Historically, the Norris family enterprises steered clear of any ventures linked to these frowned-upon industries, even in regions where gambling was legal. Notably, they had never ventured into the casino business.


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