Seren did not appreciate his phrasing at all. She set her utensils down with a sharp clink. "You know, the older you get, the more unpleasant you become. 'Non-essential distractions'? Is that what you think love is? Are you trying to say you're tired of me too? That you have no feelings left and want a divorce?" "Is that what I meant?" Alistair felt instantly wronged. He patted his wife's back soothingly. "Of course not. I could never get tired of you. My feelings have only grown deeper. Now, now, don't be upset." Across the table, Darcy watched in amazement. She'd never have guessed the formidable Alistair had such a different, softer side at home. She couldn't help but exchange a brief, amused glance with Jethro. Their shared smile made Seren blush. She swatted her husband's hand away. "Enough. Eat. Don't make the kids laugh at us."Meanwhile, at the Blackwood Manor— Arthur leaned heavily on his cane, his face a thundercloud as he glared at the head butler. "Still no answer?" The butler looked awkward. "The call connected, but... no one picked up." Arthur let out a heavy, displeased grunt. His sharp gaze shifted to Cindy, who was lounging on a sofa, nonchalantly eating nuts with her legs crossed. "Cindy. Call your brother." Cindy didn't even look up, popping another nut into her mouth. "Grandpa, if he's not answering, he's busy. Don't disturb him." "Busy on a weekend? Don't think I don't know what's going on just because I'm not at the office! He's not even there today!" Arthur retorted, his face flushing with anger. Cindy shrugged. "Then I have no idea. You know how it is—he's the one who bosses me around, not the other way." "You—!" Arthur's mustache quivered with rage. He thumped his cane on the marble floor, the sound sharp and echoing.He turned his ire on Clara. "Clara! What is the meaning of this? We agreed on a family dinner today. Why has Jethro gone completely off the grid?" Clara offered him a calm, even smile. "A client might have called him away unexpectedly. Honestly, it's just a meal. We can eat without him." Arthur's eyes narrowed. "This is not 'just a meal.' This is Jasper's first formal family banquet since his return!" Cindy immediately piped up. "Grandpa, are you forgetting? We already had a welcome dinner for Jasper the night he got back." "You—!" Arthur's hand trembled on his cane. "That was different! It was rushed. We didn't have time to prepare all of Jasper's favorite dishes." At his words, both Cindy's and Clara's expressions darkened. Arthur seemed to realize his blunder. It was Jasper who smoothly stepped in. "Grandpa, if Jethro is occupied, we should begin without him."He turned toward the kitchen. "You may serve." Arthur's expression softened slightly as he looked at him. "Such a sensible boy." Screech— A chair leg scraped loudly against the floor. Cindy grabbed her purse and stood. "I'm full from snacking. A friend just texted. I'm leaving." Arthur's rage erupted. He slammed a palm on the dining table. "What is this, a mutiny? Are you all trying to kill me with anger?!" After shouting, he looked to Clara, grief and fury tangled. "Clara! Look at this! Look at what you've taught them! This is how my grandchildren behave?" Clara, who had been holding in her own simmering anger, felt the last thread of her patience snap. Her usually gentle face grew cold and stern. "Arthur, Jethro and Cindy are nearly thirty. I don't know what more you expect me to 'teach' them. Perhaps I'm just unlucky—losing my husband so early, carrying the family burdens alone with no one to share them." A dead silence fell over the grand hall. The servants and the butler stared fixedly at the floor, barely daring to breathe. That matter was a long-standing, unspoken taboo in the Blackwood family. No one had dared mention it in front of Arthur in years. Arthur's eyes slowly reddened, a deep sorrow surfacing in their murky depths. After a long moment, he gave a weary wave of his hand. "Fine, fine. I know they resent me. Clara, do you also blame me for interfering with the company?" Clara forced down the fire in her chest. "Shouldn't you have discussed such a significant decision with us first? Why go over our heads and instruct HR directly? "Forgive my bluntness, but your actions have left me deeply disappointed. They've hurt my children as well. Our family of three has given half our lives to this company. Yet we weren't even granted the basic courtesy of a conversation." Arthur's lips moved soundlessly. "I..." He let out a heavy, defeated sigh, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. Seeing this, a flicker of disappointment passed through Clara's eyes. She gave a slight, formal nod. "Arthur, I just remembered an urgent matter. Please excuse me." The vast dining room was now occupied only by Arthur and Jasper. Jasper helped his grandfather sit down. "I'm sorry, Grandpa. It's because of me that you..." He took a deep breath, as if steeling himself. "Perhaps it's best if I go back overseas. I'll resign from the company position. I don't want to be the reason for discord between you and Aunt Clara's family."