?Chapter 229:


    A tight knot formed in Vince’s stomach. “What exactly do you mean?”


    One eyebrow lifting in obvious disbelief, Gavin said, “You’re really going to pretend you don’t know? The Morgan girl, Rosanna, has been making a public spectacle of herself. Even some of my oldest…”


    “Friends, who have no business keeping up with online gossip, are talking about it. And you expect me to let you marry into that mess?”


    Vince was surprised by how well-informed his father was.


    Beads of sweat emerged on his forehead.


    He pursed his lips and said in a calm voice, “Rosanna… actually just wants to win our family’s favor, though she might be trying too hard. The whole ordeal was merely a mishap.”


    “Trying too hard? A mishap?” Gavin mocked. “Do you really believe I’m out of my mind, that I’ll buy the excuses you make for her? Our family has no ce for an entertainer. We seek a woman with proper upbringing and grace!”


    After a brief pause, he added, “Rosanna hasn’t even fully stepped into the entertainment realm, yet she’s constantly surrounded by controversy — dropping out of contests, facing harsh criticism online. How can you consider such a woman as your wife?”


    Vince held his silence for a beat, then replied softly, “Rosanna didn’t mean any harm.”


    Gavin’s face twisted in displeasure, clearly unhappy with Vince’s defense. “You better keep your fiancée under control and prevent further issues!”


    “That is enough. Stop ming Vince.” A firm, weathered voice drifted down from the staircase.


    Charles Ward, Vince’s grandfather, came into view, his hand gripping a cane while a staff member carefully guided him down the steps. He sank into the living room armchair, casting a cold nce at the two men before settling his eyes on Vince.


    “After a thorough investigation with Gavin, it’s be apparent that the core issue originates from the fake heiress within the Morgan family — namely, Maia,” Charles said with measured calm. “This woman is a crafty one. Driven by jealousy, she cunningly entrapped Rosanna, setting the stage for her current dilemma.”


    He took a few steps before continuing, “Consider this — had we not uncovered her deceit as the fraud daughter, she could have been standing here as your spouse. Regardless of your feelings, our actions now must serve a higher purpose. You must cut off all personalmunication with Maia.”


    Vince’s eyes sparkled momentarily at Charles’ words.


    His eyebrows knitted together in concern, yet he remained silent.


    Charles struck the marble floor with his cane before saying, “I’vee across Rosanna. She’s a simple soul, shaped by the harsh streets of her childhood, sheltered from life’s trueplexities. She foolishly believes the entertainment world is child’s y and wrongly dismisses Maia, who reced her. All these disturbances — yet who suffers? Not Maia. It’s the Morgan family paying the price. Such subtle maniption speaks volumes. Someone who once sat in jail for theft is hardly trustworthy.”


    Charles’ tone was full of cold authority as he added, “Regardless of Maia’s supposed talent, she’s merely an insignificantposer. Hardly worth our time. All she is doing is pleasing the elite and putting on a show for the crowd. You need to stay away from any improper thoughts. Do you understand?”


    Vince’s fingers curled into tense fists, the knuckles turning white.


    Yet, he remained silent.


    Taking Vince’s quiet defiance as confirmation, Charles said sternly, “I see clearly what’s on your mind. You’d best abandon those thoughts swiftly.”


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