?Chapter 1721:


    Jalen had been visiting the Harper family far more frequently these past two years, bringing his kids along and acting friendly. He had never outright asked for anything before, and Giselle, believing the younger generation shouldn’t be burdened by past grudges, had allowed the visits. Even Conor came by asionally with his children.


    “Have a seat,” Jalen said to Brenna.


    Brenna deliberately steered clear of Jalen’s affairs. After thoroughly researching him, she’d discovered his true nature—a self-serving, maniptive opportunist who prioritized personal gain above all else.


    Her mother shared this perception, though she still permitted the Bentley brothers asional visits to their home. Still, she refused to offer Jalen any substantial aid beyond asional handouts.


    From time to time, Brenna’s discarded garments, footwear, or no-longer-fashionable handbags found their way to the daughters of Jalen and Conor as simple gifts.


    Direct financial support, however, remained off-limits.


    Giselle fully understood that Jalen’s persistent appearances stemmed from calcted motives rather than genuine kinship.


    Meanwhile, Brenna recognized Conor’s upright character. She believed he was straightforward and principled, untainted by the greed typical of certainwyers. This prompted her to asionally connect him with potential business deals. Thanks to these efforts, Conor’s circumstances had steadily improved over the years, enabling him to clear all outstanding debts within six months. His family lived far better than Jalen’s.


    Giselle frequently attributed this disparity to divine justice.


    Jalen engaged Ethan in animated conversation, having encountered him multiple times before and knowing his identity. Every time, he’d try to get closer to him, talking with him to build a connection.


    In Jalen’s estimation, even the casual money Ethan made could secure lifelong wealth for an ordinary person like him. After two fruitless years of courting the Harpers’ goodwill without reward, he now shifted his ambitions toward cultivating a bond with Ethan.


    Maybe Ethan was more approachable than the Harpers.


    Cradling young Kalel in his arms, Ethan offered only distracted nods as Jalen talked to him.


    Inside the cozy living room, Brenna conversed leisurely with Giselle while Jalen’s daughter, N Bentley, lingered hesitantly in the doorway, casting nces in their direction.


    Giselle harbored no particr animosity toward the children. She viewed Jalen’s children as innocent despite their father’s irredeemable ws, and beckoned N to join them with a warm gesture.


    N, a polite and reserved young woman pursuing her junior year at university, had diligently researched the operational domains of the Harper Group alongside Brenna’s enterprise. Inspired by this, she had selected mechanical engineering as her field of study with aspirations of eventual employment in Brenna’spany.


    She had observed her father’s prolonged yet unsessful endeavors to gain the Harpers’ favor, realizing their apparent disinterest in extending assistance to him.


    Concerned that his reputation might tarnish her prospects, she resolved to gauge the situation during this visit.


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