The next day, Xylia packed her things early in the morning and returned to the Schultz family home.


    Contrary to Xylia’s expectations, she had assumed the Schultz family would organize a grand ceremony for her grandmother’s memorial day.


    However, only the Schultz family members were there, and even Tessa was nowhere to be found.


    Yves and Gia red at Xylia with angry expressions as soon as they saw her return. “You heartless bitch, how dare you show your face here again?”


    They were all dressed in ck, preparing to go to the cemetery to pay their respects to Laurel.


    Xylia nced around and asked, “Where is Tessa?” Today was the anniversary of Laurel’s passing, and Tessa should have been here to pay her respects.


    Ziggy, recalling the humiliation he endured in the hospitalst week, immediately scowled. “You still have the nerve to ask about Tessa? She’s covered in bee stings, and you did that to her.”


    “It wasn’t me,” Xylia replied coldly.


    She gave Ziggy a cold stare and stopped him from speaking before he could continue.


    “Today is Grandmother’s memorial day. I don’t want to argue with you. Grandmother always valued family unity above all else. No matter how busy Tessa is, she should be here today, shouldn’t she?” Xylia added.


    Gia let out a cold snort. “Why are you pretending to be such a devoted child in front of us?”


    Gia walked up to Xylia, looking at her with undisguised contempt.


    “You’ve been married to the Ford family for so many years, and Orion treated you well, didn’t he? Why didn’t you go back to his funeral when he passed away?


    “It’s only because Tessa is kind–hearted that she’s been cleaning up your mess, while you still pretend to be a filial daughter in front of us,” Gia said.


    Xylia froze, struck by the words. She didn’t know he had passed away.


    She had blocked Connor and Sonny’s contacts, and during her time in the hospital, she hadn’t received any


    news.


    “When did Orion pass away?” She asked indifferently, once again eliciting a burst of contempt from Gia.


    “What? Connor didn’t even tell you that Orion passed away this morning? You’ve been causing trouble for yourself, and now look–your marriage to Connor is definitely over,” Gia said.


    Xylia slightly furrowed her brows. There was no great sense of sorrow, just an overwhelming emptiness. Although Orion had taken advantage of her, he had also treated her well in the past.


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    Conflicting emotions made her feel disoriented, but she didn’t allow herself to dwell on it. She hade here today to pay her respects to her grandmother.


    She said lightly, “It is about time, let us go pay respects to grandmother first.”


    As she turned to leave, Ziggy suddenly stepped in her way. “Grandmother? Didn’t you say you wanted to cut ties with the Schultz family? You have no right to pay respects to her or even call her ‘Grandmother‘!”


    “Ziggy, I don’t want to argue with you. Grandmother’s only wish in her lifetime was for the family to be united. Today is her memorial day–why are you making a scene today?” Xylia responded, her patience wearing thin.


    Ziggy sneered at her, clearly disdainful. “A family reunion? That’s for the Schultz family, not you. You’re just an outsider.


    “You should have realized this eight years ago, Xylia. You were the one who shamelessly clung to the Schultz family–did we ever force you to stay?”


    In the past, hearing such words from Ziggy would have deeply upset Xylia, but now, after finding her true family, his words no longer had any effect on her.


    It wasn’t numbness from being hurt, but the indifference that came after seeing the truth about each member of the Schultz family.


    “Don’t worry,” she said lightly, “After today, I won’t be in the way of your family reunion.”


    Ziggy frowned at Xylia, and for some reason, he felt she was serious and would definitely follow through.


    A brief flicker of panic shed through his mind, but when he remembered how Xylia had hurt Tessa, he figured that even if she left, it would be a blessing for the Schultz family. His panic gradually faded.


    “You’d better keep your word,” Ziggy added.


    Xylia nced at him indifferently, stepped around him, and walked out the vi gate.


    *****


    Meanwhile, at the Ford Mansion, the entire estate was immersed in deep sorrow.


    Connor’s eyes were red–rimmed. Tessa<b>, </b>wearing a ck suit, silently walked over to stand by his side. “Connor, please ept my condolences,” she said softly.


    Connor gazed at his grandfather’s photograph, a deep sadness filling him. He had known Orion’s time was running out, and he had prepared himself for it, but the reality of the loss was still overwhelming.


    Guests whispered quietly nearby.


    “Now that Orion has passed, why isn’t the granddaughter–inw here?” someone said.


    “Right, the granddaughter–inw isn’t here, but her sister is attending the funeral as if she’s part of the family. What’s going on here?” someone else remarked.


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    “I heard that Connor is having a fight with his wife over a divorce. She must be angry,” another person whispered.


    “Even so, there’s got to be a limit to her temper–she should havee back for the funeral, right?” someone added.


    Connor was already feeling low, and the gossip made him even more irritated. He turned sharply and red at the gossiping guests. They immediately fell silent.


    Mnie quietly approached Connor and whispered, “Today is your grandfather’s funeral. He always cared about his reputation. No matter what, you should have Xyliae back.”


    Whenever Mnie mentioned Xylia’s name, it was through gritted teeth, filled with hate. Connor said calmly, “Don’t worry, Mom. She wille back.” His tone was firm.


    Mnie asked him, “Why?”


    “Because today is thest day of the divorce cooling–off period. She’ll regret it ande back to apologize to me,” Connor said.


    Mnie thought for a moment, then suddenly looked at Connor with suspicion. “Connor, you’re not telling me you never actually nned to divorce Xylia, are you?”


    Tessa stood beside Connor, hearing Mnie’s question. She clenched her fists.


    Connor gazed at the photograph of Orion, his expression tightly drawn. “She can’t leave me.”


    Tessa’s heart sank at those words. She bit her lip until the taste of blood filled her mouth, regaining a sense of rity amidst her burning anger. “Connor, can you justify treating me this way?”


    Today was her grandmother’s memorial, and though she had heard of Orion’s passing, she rushed here without a second thought, neglecting her own grandmother’s memorial. Yet Connor still had to push her


    away,


    Connor lowered his gaze, a hint of inner conflict showing in his eyes.


    Seeing him remain silent for so long, Tessa, her eyes red, red at him before running out.


    “Has Tessa been feeling down these past few days? Do you think it’s safe for her to run off like this?” Mnie asked, her voiceced with concern.


    Connor snapped back to reality and immediately ran after her.