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    Wesley’s aunt wore a faint smile for everyone, appearing exceptionally warm and affectionate. Yet beneath that smiley carefully calcted intentions.


    It was utterly insincere.


    Sophia Carlton offered Cecilia an especially friendly smile.


    Celia deliberately ignored it.


    Sophia’s smile vanished instantly.


    After exchanging greetings, Sophia turned to Holden. “Mr. Johnson, it’s been years.”


    Holden snorted. “What difference does it make? The younger Carltons hold all the power now. I have to cater to their whims.”


    Sophia maintained her smile. “Young people can be impulsive. This whole mess got blown out of proportion.”


    She made her decision unterally, consulting no one.


    “This was always a misunderstanding. Wesley, won’t you do your aunt a favor and release Juniper?”


    Cecilia pulled her hand from Wesley’s grasp.


    She was the victim’s mother, the injured party. Yet Sophia dismissed her entirely, demanding Wesley free Juniper.


    “I disagree.”


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    Cecilia stared at Sophia expressionlessly. “Juniper kidnapped my son. She must face the consequences.”


    Sophia’s smile faded. She frowned, her tone turning distinctly sharp.


    “Larissa, even though you and Wesley are divorced now, the child in your belly is still the Carlton family heir. You’re still considered part of the family. You should consider the Carltons‘ interests and don’t act impulsively.”


    “I never wanted to be part of your family.”


    Larissa snapped back immediately.


    She detected deep contempt in Aunt Yue’s tone.


    No need for courtesy here.


    Aunt Yue’s expression darkened after repeated defiance.


    “Are you determined to ruin the alliance between our families?”


    Just as Larissa started to speak, Wesley interjected, “Aunt, this……”


    “This ends now.”


    Aunt Yue cut him off. “The child just got frightened. Have a doctor examine her instead of making such a scene.”


    Holden brightened considerably at these words.


    Larissa also rxed.


    Larissa nced around and snorted withughter.


    “The person this concerns is standing right here, and you’ve already decided everything?”


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    Aunt Yue frowned. “Larissa, that’s enough.”


    “Aunt, Juniper was clearly in the wrong.”


    Wesley tried to mediate. “Please stay out of this.”


    “My decision stands.”


    Ignoring both Larissa and Wesley, Aunt Yue announced, “Holden, I’ve arranged everything. Go fetch Juniper.”


    Holden thanked her and left immediately.


    Cecilia tried to speak, but Wesley gripped her wrist firmly.


    “Aunt.”


    He said disapprovingly, “Ci doesn’t agree with this, and neither do


    I.”


    “He’s not your son. Why the rush?”


    “But…”


    Chu Yue resumed her gentle smile. “Wesley, I’ve asked the staff at the


    old house to prepare dinner. Remember toe home tonight.”


    Wesley remained silent for a few seconds before agreeing.


    He dragged Cecilia away.


    Outside the hospital room, Cecilia shook off Wesley’s grasp.


    She snorted coldly, eyes red with anger.


    “Did your aunt’s appearance solve a huge problem for you? Letting you avoid offending Holden while protecting Larissa.”


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    Wesley rubbed his temples. “I didn’t know she wasing.”


    After getting married, his aunt had settled in another province.


    She only visited during holidays.


    This time, she’d arrived without any prior notice.


    Frank had many lovers and illegitimate children in his youth.


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    After losing two sons to infighting, he finally realized having too many heirs wasn’t a blessing. He settled his mistresses and children


    elsewhere, keeping only his son Brendon and daughter Amelia Carlton.


    But Brendon indulged in pleasure, utterly incapable of management, which stirred ambitions in others.


    Yearster, Wesley came of age and secured inheritance rights amidst his illegitimate uncles, ending years of chaos at the Carlton Group.


    Amelia had given him substantial support during that time.


    Wesley held deep respect for Amelia.


    When Wesley brought Cecilia to the ancestral home, servants had prepared an borate dinner.


    Amelia sat beside Frank with her daughter Sophia, beaming with a gentle smile.


    Brendon arrivedte, taking the seat on Frank’s other side.


    His wife Amelia inched away with visible distaste.


    Seeing the family gathered, Frank radiated contentment.


    Midway through dinner, Amelia set down her fork and softly


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    remarked: “I hear your brother and his wife are divorcing?”


    She’d touched the rawest nerve.


    Amelia’s expression instantly darkened.


    Chu Yue acted as if she didn’t see Amelia’s expression and continued, “Frankly, divorce is unnecessary. After all, big brother and sister–in-w have endured all these years. Why invite ridicule by divorcing now?”


    Amelia mmed her fork on the table with a loud tter.


    “My affairs are none of your concern.”


    Unfazed, Chu Yue adopted a tolerant tone.


    “Sister–inw, I mean well. Levi’s grown up, and you should be


    enjoying your golden years. If you divorce and leave, people willugh behind your back.”


    Amelia had finally resolved to divorce, yet Chu Yue’s meddling grated


    on her nerves.


    “Laugh at what? Was I the one fooling around outside?”


    “Big brother already regrets his mistakes.”


    Chu Yue sighed dramatically. “Just take it easy, sis. Spend the rest of your days peacefully with him, alright?”


    Brendon seized the moment to interject.


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