"If you're incapable and lack the necessary skills, then abandon that laughable sense of dignity. Without the support of the Whitewood family, you're insignificant. Stop overestimating your worth." Seraphina's sharp rebuke left Aidan reeling, his face burning with embarrassment. His anger surged uncontrollably, and any pretense of composure shattered. "And who do you think you are? Without the Whitewood family, you're just as worthless!" he shot back, his words heavy with frustration and defiance. A soft, mocking laugh escaped Seraphina's lips. "I've survived on my own merits since I was five. Are you capable of such too? Without leaning on the Whitewood family, could you forge ties with the Foster or Drakon Family? Tell me, Aidan—should I go on?" Her gaze, cold and contemptuous, regarded him as though he were nothing more than a pitiable insect. "If you lack what it takes, stop pretending to be something you're not. Do you even have the guts to leave your family behind? A worthless person will always remain a failure. If you know that's what you are, then you should stay put and follow orders like you're supposed to." The words hit like a slap, as if he weren't a man, but just a pet dog kept by the Whitewood family—meant to stay in line, grovel before Oberon, and beg for scraps from the family. Aidan, with his immense pride, couldn't tolerate such insults. When the decision to freeze his assets was first on the table, he had been uncertain—he had even considered staying. However, if he remained, he would lose what little remained of his identity. "Aidan, please don't let it get to you," Linara murmured, her voice faint. Although she despised Oberon and the entire Whitewood family, she understood all too well—once they walked away, they would be left with absolutely nothing. "Linara, there's no need for concern. I'll handle everything. Even without the Whitewood family, I can provide for you," Aidan said, throwing a defiant look at Seraphina. Oberon had considered stepping in, but upon hearing his firm resolve, he decided to stay out of it, allowing him to go without protest. "We don't belong to this place anymore. Linara, let's leave." Linara's voice was gentle as she attempted to ease the tension. "Aidan, please don't act rashly. I'm the one to blame for everything that happened today, and I'm willing to bear the consequences. Please don't let your anger turn toward Mom and Dad." However, Aidan refused to appreciate her words. Despite the way she had been treated, she still stood up for them. Seeing her injuries, he turned to look at his parents, and his bitterness deepened even further. Chloe demanded sharply, "Linara is bruised and battered—where do you think you're taking her? If you're set on leaving, then go, but don't involve your sister in this." Aidan scoffed. "She won't last if I just abandon her here." She snapped back, her anger rising, "How could you say something like that?" As the argument threatened to spiral further, Seraphina coolly interrupted, "Aidan, I told you that you're useless, and you've proven it without a doubt. Now you've even gone blind. Are you ignoring the reality that your beloved little sister doesn't want to leave the Whitewood family? Or is she simply too terrified to?" Her words pierced through, striking straight at his core. "Linara carries the Whitewood surname. If she leaves here, where would she even go?" Chloe snapped, her voice filled with frustration. Seraphina gave a sly grin, her smile dripping with malice as she looked at her. "She's just a foster daughter—once she's stripped of her surname, she wouldn't be considered one anymore." Chloe immediately grasped that this was payback for her past behavior. Aidan, witnessing the way Linara was being degraded right in front of him and his parents, was filled with rage. The thought of how she must have been mistreated in their absence was unbearable. "Linara, we're leaving. This house is no longer our concern. If they want to reclaim the Whitewood name, they're welcome to it. We're done with it." Ignoring Linara's desperate gaze, he swept her into his arms and stormed toward the door.