"Alright." Hugh had half a mind to remind Serena not to stand in the sea breeze too long.


    But he''d meddled enough for one day. He didn''t want Serena thinking he was overbearing, so instead, he told a nearby attendant to remind herter.


    And with that, he turned and made his way to Calvin''s suite.


    Inside, a few of the Larson family''s rtives stood quietly as Melissa spoke with Calvin.


    Hugh deliberately paused at the door to listen.


    "Hugh''s used to being shy in business, but all that ir is just for show. Now he hasn''t even had his own wedding yet, and he''s already throwing some over-the- top birthday party?


    "Isn''t that just asking for trouble? Calvin, this kind of extravagance costs real money. Even a family as wealthy as ours can''t afford to be this wasteful forever."


    Melissa went on and on, dumping every bit of her frustration on Calvin.


    Eric, who had caused a mess at work, didn''t dare speak. Cole stood there, disinterested, while a few other rtives chimed in with nods and mutters.


    "She''s right. Hugh''s still young-reckless, even. As elders, we should be the ones keeping him in check. All this attention isn''t good."


    "Exactly. That woman from the Jansen Group is no heiress. And this grand


    disy? Makes it look like Hugh''s fallen head over heels for some fallen princess."


    Calvin said nothing. He just stared toward the door and let out a deep, deliberate cough.


    At once, the room fell silent.


    Hugh pushed the door open and stepped inside. Melissa and the others snapped their lips shut like someone had flipped a switch.


    He spoke coldly. "The money for Serena''s birthday came entirely from my own ount. Not a single cent of it came from family dividends.


    "And as for the Jansen family not being good enough... Serena is my wife now. She''s the daughter-inw of the Larson family.


    "What? Is our family''s fortune not impressive enough for you? If you''re that dissatisfied, I''m happy to buy out your shares and show you the door."


    The uncles'' eyes flew wide.


    Melissa''s expression darkened. "Is that how you speak to your elders? Your grandfather''s right here! Do you have no respect at all?"


    "And so what if I don''t?" Hugh''s gaze turned icy. "Better to call people out to their faces than y nice while whispering behind closed doors.


    "You''ve been the Larson family''s eldest daughter-inw for over 20 years, Melissa. But why are you still acting like someone from a petty, small-time household?"


    "You" Melissa was stunned.


    He was actually arguing with her, his sister-inw of more than two decades, over that new wife of his? Unbelievable.


    She was about to fire back when Calvin suddenly let out a chuckle "Melissa, even Serena shows more sense than you. Eric, take your wife home and teach her what it means to be part of this family."


    "But Grandpa, it was Hugh who-"


    "Melissa."


    Sensing trouble, Eric quickly tugged her back and whispered, "If you piss him off


    and he spills what I did at work, then what? Cut it out. Let''s go."


    Cole stepped in to help pull her away.


    While she was dragged off, Melissa burned with jealousy.


    Why? Why was Serena able to walk into this family and get treated like royalty, while she had spent over 20 years being treated like a maid? It wasn''t fair.


    Even though she was furious and unwilling, she was hauled out of the room. The


    two uncles followed behind, silent and ashamed.


    Hugh turned to Calvin, ready to ask if there was anything else.


    But before he could speak, Calvin raised a hand—and right on cue, the three members of the Jansen family entered the room, looking slightly flustered.


    At the front, Howard let out an awkwardugh.


    Hugh frowned. "Did I even invite the three of you?"