The crowd paused in their tracks, their gazes collectively shifting towards ude.


    He was supposed to be today''s star attraction. I watched him stride confidently towards Uncle Max and say, "Uncle, my mother''s dying wish was for me to marry ire. I hope you can honor that request." His words cast Max as the viin, one who had stolen his nephew''s betrothed.


    "Max Hilton snatching away his own nephew''s fiancée? Where does that leave our family''s honor?" Kearney finally found his opening to challenge Max, quickly stood up, and pulled ude towards him, "ude, don''t worry. I''ve got your back. We''ll fight this!" I could only feel the bitterness in my mouth.


    Just as I was about to defend myself, I heard Max retort, "What, can''t the head of the Hiltons secure a woman for himself? Losing face over that would be far worse. Besides, ude, I gave you a chance. You''re the one who wanted to climb the Goodwindder, and now you''re regretting it."


    It was the first time I realized Max could hold his own in a verbal duel, his sharp wit cutting deep.


    With that statement, implying that not securing a woman would be a bigger loss of face for the head of the Hiltons, I almost burst outughing.


    But I held it in.


    "Uncle, fulfilling my mother''s dying wish... considering you and she were siblings, can''t you honor her wish?" ude still tried to use his mother as a shield.


    "It was her wish, not yours. Everyone, go back. Don''t let this spoil our lunch."


    Max''s words left ude at a loss for words.


    All he did was mention his mother''s wish.


    I just watched him silently.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Then, in a moment, he looked up at me and asked, "ire, won''t youe with me?"


    Resting my chin on my hand, leaning on the table, I shook my head.


    "No."


    Helen stepped forward and said, "Mr. ude, you seem to have forgotten to address Ms. ire in her new role as your aunt. Perhaps you should practice calling her that."


    I could almost see the color drain from ude''s face. Max, on the other hand, seemed quite pleased with Helen''s remark.


    "Uncle... my mother suffered so much over the years. As her brother, don''t you wish to fulfill herst wish at all?"


    I couldn''t stand it any longer and


    stood up, stepping between them, "ude, Mrs. Hart could have been saved if you and Kate Goodwin


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    hadn''t interfered. Besides, she was terminally ill; she just wanted you to have someone by your side, and it didn''t matter who. You chose Kate, so what gives you the right to turn back now?"


    With a scoff, I''continued, "To all the elders here remember how you''ve pressured me today, and how you once hurt Max. Just don''t give me the chance, because I will get back at every single one of you."


    Yes, I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and stop feeling inferior. When Max stood alone against the world, I should be stronger, so he wouldn''t have to fight alone.


    "ire," ude started, his brow furrowed, wanting to say something, but then he swallowed his words.


    "We have nothing left to say. You chose your path, and I''ve chosen mine, and Max is the one I choose."


    Biting my lip, I looked into Max''s eyes and allowed a small smile to form, "Max, this time, I''ll fight alongside you."


    In my past life, my weakness had led to tragedy.


    This life, I''ll use every bit of my strength to protect what I now have.