?Chapter 1088:


    But Ste only let out a low, mockingugh. “Uncle Daniel, you seem to forget—I built everything I have on my own, without the Carters. I don’t fear scandal. And as for Grandpa, I trust he values justice over appearances. He won’t turn a blind eye.”


    When both his soft words and hard threats failed, Daniel’s patience snapped. “Fine. If you won’t let Nina off, I’ve got nothing more to say. But hear me—if anything happens to her, you’ll answer for it!”


    Ste found his bluster almost amusing. No wonder Ninacked self-awareness. She had clearly inherited it from her father.


    Leaving the hospital in a fury, Daniel drove straight to the Carter mansion.


    By then, the entire scandal was trending online, and Karson didn’t need an assistant to exin a thing.


    “Dad, I know you feel guilty toward Ste and want to make it up to her,” Daniel said urgently. “But Nina is your granddaughter too. She’s staring down a life sentence. Can you really sit back and watch that happen?”


    Karson’s lips curved into a cold, weary smile. “Tell me, Daniel, how could Nina bring herself to hurt her own cousin so cruelly?”


    The question stunned Daniel, leaving him speechless.


    “But Dad,” he finally managed to say. “I know I failed her as a father, but Nina is still young. She can change. Please, don’t turn your back on her yet.”


    Karson’s gaze softened slightly at that.


    He didn’t hate Nina. Before Ste returned, Nina had truly been the granddaughter he favored most.


    But the Carters had wronged Ste far too deeply. And now, Nina’s reckless actions had crossed a line, testing the very limits of his patience.


    Just as Karson opened his mouth to refuse again, Daniel suddenly dropped to his knees beside him, desperation thick in his voice. “Dad, I know I failed you. I didn’t raise Nina properly, and now she’spletely lost her way. But you’ve watched her grow up. Can’t you give her just onest chance? Please, I’m begging you!”


    For the first time, Karson saw the proud, unyielding Daniel kneeling before him.


    Daniel had always been fiercely protective of his pride. That was why he and his wife had moved out of the Carter Mansion years ago to live independently. He had never wanted anyone to think he was a grown man still clinging to his family’s shelter.


    Karson’s fingers twitched faintly at his side. After a long silence, he let out a weary sigh.


    An hourter, Ste’s phone rang. Karson’s name shed across the screen. She hesitated for a second before answering. “Grandpa?”


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    His voice came through low and weary, edged with caution. “Ste… Daniel came to see me.”


    Her grip on the phone tightened. “Grandpa, please don’t tell me you’re pleading for Nina.”


    There was a long, heavy silence. Then Karson let out a deep sigh.


    “Nina has been spoiled, I admit that. But she’s still your cousin, a Carter by blood. What if we send her abroad and keep her away for good? Would that be enough to settle things?”


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