<strong>Chapter 1681: Chapter 1681 Apology</strong>


    “Sister, it’s my fault…”


    Hayden Caldwell was clearly an adult, but now stood in front of Olindo Caldwell like a child who had made a mistake, head down, hands clutching the edges of her coat, her toes pressing into the snowy ground, heels shifting restlessly.


    Fearful, uneasy.


    “How many times have I told you not to touch that bow! But you wouldn’t listen! Do you really need to cause trouble to behave?” Olindo Caldwell was truly angry.


    The aloof and elegant woman stood amidst the snow, like a fairy untainted by the mortal world.


    She was as graceful as a lotus emerging from the water.


    Even Baylor Davenport felt a slight pang of jealousy.


    Their mother had passed away early. It was said the eldest sister was like a mother. Olindo Caldwell had always been mature and steady, taking care of her yful younger sister like a mother would.


    “Sis, I know I was wrong… Besides, nothing happened…” Hayden Caldwell said, still defiant, with her head lowered.


    “Still arguing!” Olindo Caldwell raised her hand, as if to hit her, but seeing Hayden’s pitiful look, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.


    “Go apologize!” she scolded.


    “Oh.” Hayden reluctantly lifted her head, her steps heavy as if weighed down with lead, and walked toward Julius Reed: “Brother…”


    “Call me Brother.” Julius Reed spoke calmly.


    His face looked only seventeen or eighteen.


    A typical youthful appearance.


    One could only wonder what Gabriel Abernathy was thinking, perhaps worried another woman might fall for him?


    Actually, it’s better than being called an old geezer.


    “I’m eighteen now!” Hayden Caldwell raised her head, puffing up with anger.


    And yet, this younger brother dared to have her call him Brother?


    She was the grand Miss Caldwell, surely she had some pride?


    “Hayden Caldwell!” Olindo behind her shouted, prompting her to quickly suppress her anger and force a smile: “Young master, I identally shot the arrow off target earlier, my apologies to you.”


    “You think an apology is enough?” Julius Reed shook the sharp arrow that glinted in his hand. “If not for my quick reflexes, I might have died under this arrow.”


    “What more do you want!” Hayden exploded immediately!


    The Miss Caldwell stood with her hands on her hips, feeling deeply wronged: “I’vee to personally apologize, don’t you know how to appreciate it!”


    Being a part of the Caldwell Family, a Boulevard martial arts champion, she had lived a life of luxury.


    This rare lowering of her pride to apologize, and yet she faced rejection?


    “Is this the attitude for an apology?” Julius Reed asked faintly.


    Even Ryder Yarrow didn’t know how to intervene.


    One was a guest of Han Caldwell, the other a Miss of the Caldwell Family.


    As a servant, he couldn’t offend either side, so he wisely chose silence.


    “You…” Hayden pointed at Julius, breathing heavily, her face slightly flushed.


    “When you make mistakes, you should be punished!” Olindo stepped in, reprimanding, “That single arrow could have truly killed someone. Apologize!”


    “I won’t!” Hayden turned her head away immediately.


    Tears trickled down against her will.


    She felt wronged!


    She had never been wronged like this since childhood.


    Apologize to a stranger?


    Why should she!


    “You…” Seeing her tears, Olindo frowned, unsure what more she could say.


    She understood her sister’s temperament and character exceedingly well.


    Forcing Hayden to apologize seemed now extremely difficult.


    If she pushed too hard and something worse happened, that would be a grave mistake.


    “My younger sister is naive, I apologize on her behalf.” Olindo walked over to Julius, bowing deeply.


    “Miss…” Ryder called out softly nearby, then held his silence.


    He merely wished to remind Julius of these women’s true identities.


    Julius understood the housekeeper’s implication.


    This kind of imperiousness could only belong to the little princess of the Caldwell Family.


    Simr to Baylor Davenport in every way.


    “This incident, let’s put it behind us.” Julius folded his hands.


    Crack!


    The arrow’s shaft broke in two.


    After tossing it to the ground, Julius turned to Ryder: “Lead the way.”


    “Alright!”


    Ryder finally released a long breath, nodded to Miss Caldwell, and upon her assent, jogged ahead to lead.


    “Miss Caldwell?” walking several meters away, Julius asked softly.


    “Yes! One is called Olindo Caldwell, the other Hayden Caldwell. Young Master West, it’s best to prioritize harmony.” Ryder hesitated, then spoke: “As a servant, it might not be my ce to say this. But please consider, is it better to offend someone over an apology, or to turn it into Caldwell’s guilt towards you?”


    The implication was clear.


    Forcing the Caldwell Family to apologize would gain little more than a slight victory at best, potentially offending the people of Caldwell’s family.


    Had he been more gracious earlier, the Caldwell Family might have felt indebted to him and offered some books or records in goodwill.


    “I just want her to apologize, and in doing so, feel grateful to me.” Julius said mildly.


    “Sigh.” Ryder said no more.


    Ah, the impetuousness of youth!


    To be so exceptional at such a young age, it was understandable.


    But these matters were none of his concern.


    …


    “Sis, why did you apologize to him!” Hayden stood where she was, pouting, tears still welling in her eyes. “It was just a near miss,pensation would have sufficed, was an apology really necessary!”


    “If someone nearly shot you with an arrow, what would you do?” Olindo’s exquisite, snow-white face bore a slight smile, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, resembling a fairy.


    “I’d kill him!” Hayden dered furiously.


    “So, would you want him to kill you?” Olindo let out a weary smile. Her spoiled sister had be too arrogant.


    “He dares!” Hayden red in the direction Julius had left, speaking resentfully: “I must teach him a lesson! Or else, I can’t swallow this humiliation! For the first time I apologize, and I’m rejected!”


    “Why is it that when others wrong you, you want to retaliate, but when you nearly kill someone, you me them for not epting your apology?” Olindo’s smile gradually faded, her face growing cold as she gazed at her sister, her tone suddenly severe: “Just because you’re a Caldwell? And others don’t share your noble status?”


    “But if one day, someone of a higher status than you does this to you, how will you feel? Sister, nothing blooms forever. If Caldwell Family loses everything someday, how will you survive in such a state?”


    Silence.


    In the air, only the soft sounds of snowkes falling to the ground could be heard.


    “Then I’d rather die!” Hayden turned away, running as she left.


    “Sister…” Watching Hayden’s retreating figure, Olindo was heavy-hearted: “How can I be at ease with you like this?”


    “It’s just a youngster’s tantrum, she’ll get over it.” A male voice suddenly spoke up.


    Startled, Olindo turned swiftly to see the man behind her, hastily bowing in respect: “Grandfather, when did you arrive?”


    “I heard amotion, so I came to have a look.” Han Caldwell walked over with a kind smile, gently touching Olindo’s face: “Who was that just now?”


    “That was…” Olindo instinctively stepped back: “Someone Housekeeper Yarrow was attending to.”


    “Oh. I’ll go have a look.” Han Caldwell cast a meaningful, chilling smile at Olindo before turning to leave.