?Chapter 1079:


    Unfazed, Ste met his angry re head-on. “Uncle, I came here for one reason—to ask where Nina is. Just tell me, and I’ll leave without interrupting your tea time.”


    His daughter was teetering on the edge of bing a murderer, yet he could still sip his tea as if nothing had happened—an ability only a rare few possessed.


    At that thought, a faint, sarcastic smile curved Ste’s lips.


    The living room sank into heavy silence. Daniel and Norene exchanged a nce before Norene gave a small shake of her head.


    Atst, Daniel spoke. “We don’t know. It’s been a while since Ninast contacted us.”


    Ste nodded, seeing that pressing further would be pointless. They were clearly determined to protect Nina.


    She rose from her seat. “Alright, since that’s how it is, I won’t insist. But I hope Nina stays hidden for good and never crosses my path again. If she dares to harm me—or anyone close to me—”


    Her eyes darkened, her voice turning cold. “Then don’t me me for sending her where she belongs. Family or not.”


    With that, she turned on her heel and walked out, not sparing the couple another look. Their faces had already gone pale.


    Moments after Ste left, a door upstairs creaked open. Nina stepped out and rushed straight into Norene’s arms.


    “Mom, you heard her! She won’t let me go. If she sees me again, she’ll send me to jail. I don’t want to go to jail!”


    Norene held her, gently patting her back. “Don’t cry, dear. We’re here for you.”


    Daniel’s expression darkened as he stared at the untouched teapot. “Nina, you’ve gone too far this time. How could you even think of kidnapping?”


    He might not have liked Ste, but he would never stoop to such means to deal with her.


    Tears streaking down her face, Nina snapped, “Ste stole everything from me! I had no choice! If she hadn’t taken what was mine, I wouldn’t have needed to get rid of her!”


    In her mind, Ste was the root of it all, the cause of every loss and humiliation.


    Norene sighed, resignation softening her tone. “Silly girl, whypare yourself to her? You’re the Carter family’s true heiress. She was only acknowledged halfway. In grace, in poise, she’ll never measure up.”


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    That whole “ugly duckling turns into a swan” story? Nonsense. Nina should have lived her own life, but somehow, she kept chasing after Ste’s shadow.


    A bitter smile crossed Nina’s face. “In Grandpa’s eyes, I don’t hold a candle to her. What kind of rightful heir does that make me?”


    Daniel looked at her gravely, his voice firm. “Nina, listen to me. Let it go. Ste isn’t the same woman she used to be. She has Karson’s backing and William’s protection. You can’t win this fight.”


    Nina’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Even you think she’s better than me?”


    “This isn’t about who’s better!” For once, Daniel raised his voice. “This is the point of no return. Keep going down this road, and no one will be able to save you.”


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