Jethro and Jasper both fell silent. Even Cindy and Clara, hearing the commotion from the garden, hurried back inside. Arthur let out a heavy, disappointed sigh. "You're family! What is there to fight about? It's the weekend, a rare time for us all to be together. Let's not talk business." Jethro and Jasper exchanged a fleeting glance before murmuring in unison, "Yes, Grandpa." Cindy muttered under her breath, "And whose fault is it we're all here?" Clara shot her daughter a warning look, then stepped forward, curiosity getting the better of her. "Arthur, where were you earlier? We didn't see you when we arrived." He hadn't been in the living room, the front yard, or the back garden. He'd just appeared out of nowhere, like a specter. It was a bit unsettling.Arthur glanced at her. "I was just coming from the family chapel." "The chapel?" Clara was even more confused. It wasn't any memorial day. Why had he spent half the morning there? Just as her curiosity piqued, Arthur spoke again. "I know you're all wondering why I called you here today. Don't rush it. I've just said a prayer for our ancestors in the chapel and asked for their guidance." Cindy couldn't hold back. "Grandpa, just tell us. We're all listening." Arthur pinched his granddaughter's cheek. "You little firecracker. Always the impatient one!" He then turned to the butler. "Take everyone to the chapel." A knot of unease tightened in Clara's stomach. Arthur's behavior today was highly unusual. What could be so important that it had to be announced in the chapel?A terrible suspicion flashed in her mind. No. It couldn't be. He wouldn't be that foolish. Once everyone was gathered in the chapel, Arthur spoke gravely, "Pay your respects to our ancestors." They each stepped forward in turn to light a candle and say a quiet prayer. When they were done, all eyes turned back to Arthur. Such formality meant the announcement was momentous. But what could it be? Under their collective gaze, Arthur pronounced each word with deliberate weight. "I have decided to formally acknowledge Jett as a member of the Blackwood family." The air in the chapel froze solid. Suddenly, Cindy stepped forward. "I object!"Arthur frowned. "Cindy, don't make a scene. This doesn't concern you." "Of course it concerns me!" Cindy retorted hotly. "I'm a Blackwood too! I have a right to my opinion, and I sayno!" "You little brat." Arthur's face darkened. "That is your brother's own flesh and blood, your nephew! Our family doesn't abandon its own." He then turned his gaze to Clara. "Clara, what do you say?" Clara stared at him, her expression unreadable. "Arthur, what do you want me to say? You've already decided on your own. You've even claimed the ancestors agree. What is left for us to say?" Her tone was sharp, the resentment clear. "Fine, fine! Not a single one of you gives me peace!" Arthur grumbled. Finally, his eyes settled on his eldest grandson. "Jett is your son. What is your opinion? Do you also disagree? Do you know what I witnessed at the hospital the other day? That child, standing all alone, his toy snatched away, crying his little heart out. Pitiful as a lost lamb. None of you ever had to suffer such things when you were young." As he finished, everyone's attention shifted to Jethro. It seemed he held the final key to Jett's entry into the family. "Jethro," Cindy pleaded, "you were dumb before—fine. But you can't screw up again. Think about you and... think about where you're headed." Clara also gave him a meaningful look. "Sometimes, a single misstep can close off the path back." Jethro smiled faintly. He reached out and ruffled Cindy's hair, then met his mother's gaze. Then, slowly, he said, "I agree with Grandpa's decision." Cindy stared at him in utter disbelief. "Jethro, do you even hear yourself?!" For a moment, the man before her felt like a complete stranger.Had he been brainwashed? Was this some kind of imposter? She stepped forward, as if to peel off a non-existent mask from his face, shaking his arm. "Who are you? You're not my brother! Who made this mask for you? Tell me! Say something!" A flash of pain crossed Jethro's eyes, but it was gone in an instant. He gently took hold of her hands. "Cindy, please calm down." "Calm down? How can I be calm?! That scheming witch Annie is clearly using that child to trap you! I know you can see it! And you know perfectly well that if you acknowledge that child, it means you and... there's no chance in hell anymore!" "I know. But I have responsibilities to carry." Cindy tore free, eyes cold. "Fine. Go carry your damn 'responsibility' then!" Before anyone could react, she shoved the door open and bolted.