"Grandpa! Liam's got some nerve! He's demanding that our whole Stone family roll out the red carpet, go to Celena, and beg her to return to the Stone family!" Cheryl fumed. She paused, stealing a glance at Reginald. Noticing his face turning stormy, she quickly lowered her voice, saying, "And he wants me... to apologize to Celena and that little kid, and he even said... he even said...""What else? Out with it!" Reginald was fuming, his eyes blazing with anger as he slammed his cane onto the blue floor with a resounding thud!Cheryl jumped, a shiver running down her spine, but a surge of glee bubbled within her. She kept up her outraged facade, whispering, "He said you, Grandpa, should personally go and ask..."Boom!That was the last straw. The Stone family's members in the hall went off like a bomb! They bellowed with fury."Are you kidding me? Our family's elder is supposed to go and ask himself?""Liam stepped out of line, just a washed-up soldier, a nobody. He has the gall t
"However..."Sherah looked hesitant, and she tried to explain further, but the sharp tap of Reginald's cane on the floor cut her off.Reginald's expression turned stormy as he slammed his cane down hard, declaring, "That's enough! The decision is made! Walter is correct. Celena is your daughter, and you two are the right ones to go!"With that, Reginald rose angrily and strode out of the hall.No sooner had Reginald departed than Walter and his family looked on with barely concealed glee. "Yafe, Celena is your girl, and you're her dad. She'll listen to you. If you pull off this deal, you'll be the family's hero, and your place as head of the Stone family will be undisputed."Teresa's smile was bright as she added, "Exactly, Yafe. Dad's got faith in you, and so do we. You're going to clinch that partnership!"Hayden Stone's family could not hide their delight as they added, "Yafe, we'll be here waiting to celebrate your success!"The hall emptied as everyone dispersed to their re
Yafe walked in silence, looking indifferent. The opulent mansion before him did nothing to stir his interest as he made his way to the grand entrance.However, his emotions were a raging storm inside. He could not believe that his daughter, the one he had always dismissed, lived in a place ten times more luxurious than the Stone Mansion. The task given to him by Reginald then seemed daunting.Just then, Calum stepped out from the villa's gate, confronting the trio with a frosty demeanor. "Hold it right there! How did you get in?"Yafe was momentarily stunned by Calum's piercing presence and the deadly intent in his eyes. He stuttered, "I... I'm here for my daughter, Celena! I... came to bring her home!"Calum's eyes narrowed, his imposing demeanor briefly faltering before he doubled down, eyeing Yafe with renewed force. He glanced at Sherah and Qemal, who were peering around behind him, and retorted, "Oh? From the Stone family, are you?"Qemal quickly moved forward, all smiles. "E
Thud!Qemal was sent flying like a ragdoll, hurtling through the air before rolling across the ground and coming to a painful stop."Ah! Ouch! It hurts like hell! Mom, that witch Celena actually let that brute hit me! You have to make her pay!"Qemal's face was beet red as he clutched his stomach, sweat streaming down his face as if caught in a downpour. The kick to his gut had felt like a sledgehammer swinging at him.Sherah, hiding behind Yafe, rushed to her son's side when she saw him take the hit. She helped him up, gently dusting off his clothes where the dirt was barely visible.Her face flushed with fury, she spun to face Calum and bellowed, "You had the nerve to hit my son? Did Celena put you up to this? You think you're tough, acting like a big shot? Just wait, I'm calling the cops on you!"Calum looked at Sherah's clueless rage mockingly and stepped forward. He gave the mother and son duo a frosty look as they leaned on each other. He said icily, "Seems like you don't w
Reginald's heart clenched as he saw Qemal's battered form. He adored his two grandsons to bits, and it pained him to see one hurt. Furious, he exclaimed, "Celena has really crossed the line this time!""Reginald, you can't let this slide! Celena's got it out for our Stone family. She doesn't give a shit about us and even less about you! We didn't even get a foot in the door today before the security threw us out like trash! Reginald, you've got to do something..."Sherah's tears flowed, her face the very picture of sorrow. A woman in her prime, her beauty and style only made her distress more touching.Reginald's face darkened with anger as he turned to the silent Yafe and demanded, "What in the world happened?"Yafe let out a long sigh, a look of defeat in his eyes. "Dad, it went down just like Sherah said. We got to the villa's gate today and got stopped dead in our tracks. We didn't even see anyone, much less set foot inside! I bet they're playing hardball, wanting you to show u
"Wasn't Celena shacking up with Liam? However, Liam had hit rock bottom and broke! How on earth could he afford a palace like this? Has Celena cozied up to some other rich tycoon?"The Stone family, gawking at the grandeur of the manor, could not stop buzzing with gossip. They were gobsmacked. They had come ready to sneer at Celena, thinking she should count her lucky stars for getting back in with the Stones, and there she was, not just talking the talk but walking the walk!Turns out, her digs were leagues above anything the Stones had!Reginald took one look at the sprawling Jade Manor and felt a jolt of shock.Cheryl, who was helping Reginald, and Anna Stone had eyes blazing with jealousy. Cheryl, in particular, was biting her lip so hard it might bleed, muttering, "Celena acting all poor and pitiful, but she's holed up in this fancy estate! The nerve of that witch!"Jealousy gnawed at her insides. Why did Celena get to live in such a grand and beautiful mansion and not her? W
Cheryl, who had always lived a luxurious life, regretted wearing her sky-high stilettos today. Her legs were screaming in pain after just a while standing, and the relentless sun above was no help. She kept bending over to rub her aching knees and calves in frustration.Reginald was having an even tougher time, the heat nearly knocking him down. He had to be helped by a servant to a nearby flower bed where he could sit and catch his breath.That was when Liam showed up, smiling, with little Jovie and Celena in hand. The trio seemingly without a care in the world."Celena! Liam! You are finally back. How could you let us wait like this? Look at Grandpa. He's practically cooked! Did you do this on purpose, Celena? I get it if you're mad at us, but Grandpa? You're distant, ignoring Grandpa like that!" Cheryl's face was a mess as she spotted Celena and started yelling at her and Liam.The rest of the Stone family chimed in with their own barrage of complaints."This is unacceptable! T
Suddenly, Liam's brows locked in a frown, his eyes turned cold, and he exuded a murderous energy. Cheryl backed away in fear after she saw the sudden change in him. Her face turned white, and she stuttered, "Wh-what do you want to do?" Cheryl ruffled Liam's feathers after attacking Celena multiple times. Just as Liam was about to teach the insolent woman a lesson, his hand was suddenly held back by Celena, who suddenly came to her senses."Liam, don't. You promised me! Don't act rashly!" Celena shook her head. Liam glared at Cheryl, then took a look at Celena's eyes which were filled with worry. He sighed resignedly and let go of his hand. Once Cheryl got away, she quickly hid beside Reginald. She massaged her wrist, which was swollen and bruised, and whined, "Grandpa, my hand hurts! Look!"She held out her hand toward Reginald and continued with her complaints, "Grandpa, Celena is getting more and more arrogant! She is even like this to me in front of you. She is so disrespe