Chapter 12 Leonard's anger flared. His hand twisted into a fist, and his face tightened. “How dare you talk back at me?!” He made an angry move to lash out at James, but Olivia stopped him. “Stop, Dad. Please, stop.” Olivia said calmly, but Leonard's anger didn't cool down. His face remained contorted with anger. “I'll handle this.” She added and walked to James, pointing her finger at her, “Did you realize you're talking to my father? Or have you gone crazy or something?!” James only looked at her, his chest tightening. He didn't want the whole situation to linger further, so he sighed annoyedly and walked away. “Such a dirty pig he is,” Leonard sneered after him, “no wonder, he's been given a gate guard post.” He added, his face filled with disgust. James heard him but didn't turn around. A few minutes later, when he got to his room, he slammed the door gently and fell on the bed, shaking off the words of his family. As he lay on the bed, his face staring at the cei

Chapter 14 Evelyn staggered back, her eyes filled with bewilderment as she spoke, her voice cracking, “W—what’s the problem with you, Mom? Did I do anything wrong?” Her voice was curious. Grandma Aurora glared at her, pointing at her with an accusing finger, “You caused all this! If it's not for you supporting that wretched bastard, how on earth will he have the guts to talk back to me in my house? How?!” Evelyn stood, motionless and speechless. Her eyes filled with a bit of guilt. Grandma Aurora's anger flared, “He’s having a say in this family because you made him to….” “But he's part of this family.” Evelyn finally defended, her voice steady. “James has every single right to speak concerning any issues going on in the family. And he doesn't deserve all this treatment.” Grandma Aurora's eyes widened with great shock. Evelyn just talked back at her because of that stupid being?! She looked at Evelyn with a fierce stare, her rage reaching its peak. “How dare you lecture

Chapter 16 “Don't worry, I'll text you the location. And please, don't hesitate to come, I have something important that I want to show you.” Thomas replied. James stared at the phone's screen in confusion. Something important? He mumbled before replying, “Okay, Dad. I'll be there.” Meanwhile, in the dining room, there were moments of silence as the clinking of spoons echoed in the room against the metal plates. Everyone seemed to be really enjoying the meal. The silence lingered for a moment, not until Olivia's phone vibrated and began to ring, disrupting the hushed moment. Everyone paused, all gazes fixed on her. Olivia dropped her spoon and wiped her mouth before retrieving her phone from the table. Glancing at the phone's screen and seeing who was calling, she hesitated, looking at everyone. Letting out a deep breath, she picked up the call, her voice moderately calm, “Hello, Mr. Joshua.” Immediately, she said that Grandma Aurora's face lit with excitement, knowing

Chapter 18 James turned, his face was a mixture of irritation and anger. He looked at Joshua with his well-fitted and rich outfit, but he didn't care. He wondered what he was doing there, but then remembered that Olivia talked about Joshua taking her out for dinner. He slightly checked his watch, and it was already 5pm, not up to 9pm, suitable for a dinner night. James' hoha expression deepened as he looked at Joshua and said, “And who are you to interfere in our family affairs? What right do you have to do that?” Joshua smirked, adjusting his collar, “I have every right whatsoever to do so! Face it, James. You don’t belong in Olivia’s world. You have nothing to offer. Both to her and her family.” He said and added, clearly irritated, “With what I got, you're nothing but a leech living off their little wealth with no positive contribution whatsoever to the family!” Grandma Aurora nodded her head to the side, affirming, “Yes, he is! Always sitting at home doing nothing.”

Chapter 20 Olivia’s breath caught, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her dress as she looked at her mother with disbelief, “Mom, are you trying to chase away your guest just because you don't like him?” She asked, “And what has he ever done to you to dislike him this much?” “Same way you dislike James to the core when he has done nothing to you, Olivia.” Evelyn said, “Can’t you see how much James cares for you? Why are you too blind to see that? How could you even think of letting Joshua say those flirtatious words to you in front of James without objecting to it? Tell me. Don't you know it hurts? Didn't you perceive his—?” “Please, stop it already, Mom,” Olivia interjected, frowning. She swallowed hard and shook her head, “If this conversation is all about James, then, sorry, I'm done.” Without waiting for any response, Olivia walked away, leaving Evelyn to stand there alone. Evelyn shook her head, displeased. “She's grown too stubborn. Grandma and Leonard are a