Jade studied him for a long moment before finally voicing the question that


    lingered in her mind. "And if, one day, you two are truly married, but M no longer loves you-what then?"


    Forrest didn''t answer right away. Only after a lengthy pause did he finally say, "I suppose I would wish her happiness."


    His tone was calm, almost detached.


    Jade''s gaze lingered on his unflinching face. She never let her thoughts show- whether approval or dissatisfaction. Instead, she simply lifted her hand, a silent gesture for him to leave.


    Forrest rose without protest.


    But as he reached the door, he couldn''t help himself. He turned back and asked, "Mrs. Suthend, do I have a chance?"


    "You''ll have to ask M."


    That was all Jade offered.


    Forrest smiled, undeterred. "Thank you, Mrs. Suthend."


    He opened the door, nodded politely to the old butler waiting outside, and made his way toward the guest room.


    Jade nced up at the butler as he entered, her voice quiet but direct. "What do you think-how much of his answer was sincere, and how much an act?"


    Though the butler''s face was youthful, his bearing was steady and mature. Closing the door behind him, he replied respectfully, "A bit of both, I suspect. He''s a man who knows how to keep his cards close."


    "So, he can''t be trusted?" Jade pressed.


    He gave her a measured look. "Madam, if he were na?ve and utterly transparent, would that put your mind at ease? Could such a man withstand the pressure from the Montgomery family?"


    Of course not.


    Just as with her earlier questions about family and ambition—if Forrest had merely tried to cate her, showing no backbone or aspiration, she wouldn''t have bothered to hide her contempt. She''d have ordered him out of the house on the spot.


    How could she entrust her precious niece to a man with no spine?


    And then there was the Montgomery family.


    That was her greatest concern.


    She''d never truly approved of Adrian and his father cozying up to that woman, Giselle, after all the hurt it brought M. Ever since, she''d harbored a wariness toward that child. But he was M''s, and this past year he''d at least behaved himself.


    Yet, that didn''t ease her worries.


    From what she''d seen of the Montgomerystely, they had no intention of letting M go. If she hadn''t stayed in Ennd to keep watch, their reach would have stretched across the ocean by now. That''s what infuriated her most-how could they keep dragging M back with the excuse of business and the child''s inheritance, even after the man was dead?


    It''s marriage, not an adoption into the entire Montgomery n!


    Besides, the man was gone. The marriage was over. How long did they intend to keep this up?


    Still, Jade understood what weighed


    on M''s heart-guilt, pure and simple. M couldn''t let go of the idea that she''d destroyed the Montgomery heir. Truth be told, Lysander had only gotten what he deserved. He owed M.


    But now, with the child left fatherless, only a mother to care for him, Jade couldn''t simply walk away.


    She got it, truly. But if things continued like this, one day when she was gone, the Montgomerys would swallow up her beloved niece-the sole heir to the Splendid estate without remorse.


    Absolutely not!


    That was why Jade was so desperate for M to remarry. Only once she had a new family of her own would the Montgomerys'' grip finally break.


    If only she''d have another child-it would be perfect.


    Only then could Jade rest easy.


    But for that, M needed a partner who could withstand the


    Montgomery family''s pressure. Maybe not someone who could match them blow for blow, but at least someone with backbone, someone who could challenge M and keep her from making reckless decisions out of misced


    kindness.


    If that happened if, after Jade was gone, they could hold on to the English estate and the web of connections she''d built-the Montgomerys would be kept at bay.


    M could live her life in peace.


    Jade sighed, her worry in on her lined face. "After all this time, M finally agreed to bring someone home. Even if it''s just for show, she couldn''t have brought someone she truly disliked. But this man..."


    She shook her head, her features creased with concern. "If he''s too calcting, I worry M will be the one to suffer. She''s clever, but with those she loves, her guard is always down."


    What if they misjudged him, and ended up with another Lysander?


    "Madam, didn''t you already prepare for both oues?" the butler tried to reassure her. "If this works out, you can take things slowly."


    "But that path is so long," Jade murmured, weary.


    Marriage alone wasn''t enough to set her mind at rest. She''d done all she could to prepare for M''s futureid the groundwork, built the connections. If M could secure her ce on the international stage, if she could reach Jade''s level sooner rather thanter...


    If she could be a household name, she''d inherit the legacy without a hitch.


    And then, the Montgomery family would never again call the shots.


    But that kind of stature wasn''t built on talent alone. It took time, reputation, and patience—things Jade feared she might not live to see.


    The Montgomerys were always circling, always waiting. Jade''s heart could never quite settle.


    It was true what they said: a parent''s love ns for a child''s distant future. That was all this was.


    The butler understood, pausing in thought before offering a suggestion. "Madam,


    if you''re still uneasy, perhaps there''s a way to put him to the test? To be sure of him?"


    Jade arched an eyebrow. "And how would we do that?"