?Chapter 1397:


    Ernst said to the security guards stationed at the entrance, “Keep watch on them. If they cause trouble, you know how to handle it.”


    The guards responded promptly, “Understood!”


    Brenna settled next to her mother. “Mom, it’s not a big deal. Don’t worry. My brother and I will take care of everything.”


    Giselle, still shaken, couldn’t stop wondering how Shepard nned to address the situation. “Where is your father? Don’t tell me he’s still clueless about this,” she said.


    Ernst took a seat, his eyes steady on Giselle. “Mom, he’s at my ce. He found out about the matter this morning and came back right away. We discussed it, and he asked me to take care of it. Besides, he is certain that girl isn’t his. Back then, he made sure Keira took emergency contraception to prevent any possibility of a child.”


    Giselle scoffed, her disapproval clear. “Dodging responsibility, hiding the moment trouble shows up—does he think that’s enough? He made this mess years ago, left me to deal with the fallout, and now expects you to clean it up. Utterly shameless.”


    She vented her frustrations to her children, then pulled out her phone to call Shepard.


    She hadn’t had a chance to confront him earlier. Her mind raced with questions about how he intended to handle it and whether he would acknowledge the girl as his daughter.


    If the girl was indeed Shepard’s daughter, she would divorce him. She would tell Shepard that.


    Shepard was at Ernst’s house, casually eating pasta prepared by Lilith. To Lilith, the situation seemed urgent, but Shepard appeared unperturbed, calmly taking his wife’s call while eating with rxed confidence. To him, it was a minor issue.


    “Hey, honey, how’s everything going?”


    Giselle’s furious voice erupted through the phone, berating him sharply. Shepard listened patiently to her tirade before responding, “If she’s my daughter, I’ll ept her, but I highly doubt it. Honey, trust me. After all these years together, have I ever let you down?”


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    Giselle snapped, “Don’t act like I’m unaware of what you’ve been up to on your so-called business trips. I’m not an idiot, Shepard. You can mess around, but don’t bring trouble into this house!”


    Her words were harsh; she didn’t mind that Ernst and Brenna were listening nearby.


    Ernst and Brenna exchanged surprised nces. Ernst believed his mother was airing long-held grudges, while Brenna felt a pang of disappointment in their father’s actions.


    Ethan slipped into the dining room to eat, certain this was a conversation he had no ce in overhearing.


    At the Empire Hotel, a Harper family vehicle was parked beside Ethan’s car. Neville hurried through the grand entrance.


    The receptionist, recognizing Neville instantly, offered a warm smile. “Mr. ke, you seem in a rush. Is everything alright?”


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