They parked and headed for the main hall. Just as they reached the doorway, awhoosh cut through the air, followed by a walking cane flying out. If Jethro had been a second faster, it would have hit him squarely. Jethro chuckled, picking up the cane from the ground. "Looks like Grandpa's health is excellent. He almost got a direct hit from all the way over there. Still got it!" Jasper shot him a strange look before stepping into the living room first. "Oh, Jasper, you're here?" Arthur said, surprised to see his younger grandson. Jethro raised an eyebrow. "So, Grandpa, you didn't summon Jasper too?" He gave a meaningful smile. "Guess we've got that twin-brain thing going. I show up at the manor, and you show up too."Jasper lowered his gaze. "It's been a while since I visited you, Grandpa. I had some free time tonight, so I thought I'd stop by." Arthur was pleased and immediately instructed the kitchen to add a couple more dishes, especially ones Jasper liked. Then, he turned his attention to his eldest grandson, his expression hardening instantly. "What is this mess all over the news? Is it true? Is that child really yours?" Jethro casually took a seat on the sofa, crossing his long legs in a relaxed posture. "You've always been talking about wanting great-grandchildren. Now your wish has been granted." Arthur was livid. "I want legitimate great-grandchildren, not some secret love child! Give it to me straight. Is the child yours or not?" Jethro leaned forward, plucked a grape from the fruit bowl on the coffee table, and popped it into his mouth unhurriedly. "We did a paternity test."Arthur's eyes widened. "Itis yours?! You... you... you fool! I told you back then I didn't agree—and you actually—" He couldn't finish. Dizzy with rage, his blood pressure spiking, he swayed, almost collapsing. The butler and a maid rushed forward. "Mr. Arthur Blackwood, your health matters. Should we call a doctor?" Arthur waved them off, his face a mask of anguish. "What a cursed tie! A cursed tie! What's your plan?" Jethro replied breezily, "Not much. We'll see how it goes for now." Before Arthur could respond, Jasper frowned. "You're just gonna weasel out of taking responsibility?" Weasel out of taking responsibility? That's quite an accusation. Jethro narrowed his eyes at him. "You think this ismy fault?" "For all these years, Annie raised that child alone. You have no idea how hard it must have been for her," Jasper said, his voice tight. "It was one thing when you didn't know. But now that you do, and you're not planning to do anything for them? That's cold. What else would you call it?" "Jasper!" Arthur cut in sharply before Jethro could retort, his displeasure evident. "It was Annie's choice to have the child! She and Jethro were already broken up. She chose to go through with it. To me, that speaks of an agenda!" Jasper's fists clenched silently at his sides, his jaw tightening. "Grandpa, how can you think that of Annie. Joel was the monster. Annie had nothing to do with any of it. Just because she's his daughter, you're going to hold it against her? That's not fair!" Arthur's expression darkened further, and he gave Jasper a strange, probing look. "You're actually defending Annie! Have you forgotten how your father and uncle died?!" "I—" Jasper closed his eyes briefly, a wave of deep helplessness washing over him. "I could never forget."The mention of the kidnapping case that had shaken Aethelburg—and the nation—years ago cast a heavy pall over the room. Everyone present lowered their heads, hardly daring to breathe. A tense silence filled the grand hall. Finally, the butler spoke softly, "Dinner is served." The butler helped Arthur to the dining room, with Jethro and Jasper following behind. Studying Jasper's profile, Jethro fell into thought. Two days ago, his mother had mentioned that shortly after Jasper returned to the country, he had gone alone to visit Joel's grave. Back then, not long after the incident, Jasper had gone abroad with his mother. Annie had also gone overseas later. Is it possible that they had connected since then? And how much does Jasper know about what Annie is doing now? As these thoughts solidified, the look in Jethro's eyes grew steadily colder. It seemed his cousin was far less obedient than he appeared. At the table, the mood eased up. Arthur didn't bring up Annie or the child again, instead asking about the company. He'd already had the Q2 financial report read to him, and the numbers were impressive. "And how are things with you, Jasper?" Arthur asked. Stratagem Tech had only recently been absorbed into the Group and wasn't included in the current quarterly report, so Arthur wasn't aware of the specifics. Jasper thought for a moment. "Everything is progressing well. I'm familiar with most of the operations now. It's just that—" He trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging. "Just what?" Arthur prompted. "It's just there's one subordinate who isn't very cooperative," Jasper said.Arthur waved a dismissive hand. "Then fire him. Hire a new one." A faint smile touched Jasper's lips. "This subordinate was personally headhunted by Jethro. Firing this person... might not be ideal."