287.Chapter 287


    "What do you mean by beyond saving? That''s impossible!" Dn jumped to his feet in disbelief.


    He looked at Mki, his eyes wide with shock. "Are you saying Gabriel said that? Are you sure it was him? Did you hear it right?"


    Dn thought, ''How could Gabriel have said such a thing? The Stonor family and the Padi family were once so close. My grandparents gave everything to help us, and Gabriel and the Duke''s estate have always received their full support.''


    Dn didn''t need to remember it all himself-everyone in Hasen City knew the bond between the two families. Gabriel often spoke of the Padi family''s kindness, and for over ten years, they had made it a point to honor their memory by visiting and paying respects every year.


    All of these things spoke to the depth of the rtionship between the two families.


    Dn thought, ''How could Mki be telling me this? That Gabriel said such a thing... How is this possible?'' He couldn''t believe it. His anger red as he pressed Mki for answers, but Mki remained calm, staring back at him with an emotionless gaze.


    Dn''s emotional outburst suddenly came to a halt. He looked at Mki, who remained silent, and the absurdity of it all deepened in his mind.


    Dn thought, ''No, this can''t be right. The Padi family was always good to the Stonor family, and Caroline was always good to Gabriel. Gabriel was kind to the Stonor family, and especially to Caroline.''


    Dn''s thoughts suddenly froze as realization hit him. He thought, ''Gabriel had always been kind to Caroline... always... They were inseparable, just the five of us, no illegitimate children, no mistresses, no concubines. That was how it had always been. But then, just over six months ago, everything changed.''


    Dn thought of Sophie. A bitter, disappointedugh escaped him. He thought, ''A bastard child, born two months before Eliza-Gabriel must have been secretly involved with that mistress long before Caroline even carried Eliza. He not only fathered her but also waited until she grew up, bringing her back to the Stonor family under the guise of being the " daughter of a benefactor." He spun lies to make us feel guilty and pity her. And all the while, he let us-his five children- remain oblivious. They even allowed her to manipte Eliza, pit us against each other, until we were left watching as they forced her into a life of seclusion.'' Thinking back on everything, Dn felt a cold shiver run through him, his body trembling-either from the chill or from a rising wave of fury, he couldn''t tell. "Mki, are you telling me the truth?" Dn asked, his voice tense with disbelief. Though Dn already had a sense of what had happened, there was something about hearing it directly from Mki that he couldn''t resist.


    Mki didn''t answer directly. Instead, he said, "Lord Dn, there''s no need to ask more. From the look on your face, I can see you already know something. Instead of hearing it from me, perhaps it''s time you find the answers yourself." Dn''s expression darkened as his teeth clenched. "Fine... I get it."


    The food arrived, but Dn had lost his appetite.


    "Mki, forgive my rudeness, but I need to leave and return to the Duke''s estate immediately. Enjoy already settled."


    With that, Dn quickly left the restaurant, his steps hasty as he headed back to the Duke''s estate.


    ur meal, the bill''s


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