Chapter 1436

.

Maja knew she was walking on thin ice, but confrontation with the two family elders was to be avoided at all costs. She nodded

when she noticed the butler standing sentinel at the door, the entrance ajar. Was Beck under surveillance? Beck rubbed his

temples, aware of her concern. “It’s not as bad as you think. I haven’t spent much time with Grandpa and Grandma, but they’ve

never been unkind to the younger ones. They’re too pious, I guess. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have left the Sanders’ estate and

retreated to that little island years ago.” Beck approached the door, paused as if recalling something important, and gently

warned, “If there’s a way to compromise, best to avoid a head-on clash.” Maja nodded, fearing that such middle ground might not

exist. Beck made his way to his grandparents’s study. Inside, Mr. Sanders sat, his hand gracefully moving a quill across the

paper. Mrs. Sanders stood by, seemingly on the verge of speaking, only to sigh instead. “Concerned about your son?” Mr.

Sanders finally spoke. Augus was their pride, their heir apparent, now prematurely gray. Even the stoniest of hearts would soften

boy, Ian, right? His records aren’t bad, but he’s currently wanted by Windhelm. As long as that warrant’s out, he’s a fugitive. And

you know his other issues.” They fell silent, Mrs. Sanders twirling her bracelet, murmuring prayers under her breath. The study

door creaked open after a knock, and Beck entered upon receiving a nod. “Grandpa, Grandma.” Mr. Sanders didn’t look up, Mrs.

Sanders continued her prayer, and the scent of fresh ink filled the air. “Maja and Ian are truly in love. Can’t you just let them be?”

Mrs. Sanders halted, her voice dignified, “We’ve never intended to trouble anyone from the Sanders family. As the head, one

must abide by the rules. Without them, there is chaos. The fortune-teller did say, if Augus and Cynthia were together, it would

lead to disaster. Sometimes, destiny must be acknowledged. In all our years, we’ve never been wrong.” It seemed the elders had

already known that Cynthia was the one who married into the Sanders family, but by then, they were in seclusion, trusting in their

children’s and grandchildren’s fate. But with the bracelet broken, they had to reconsider the situation. Beck, feeling powerless,

lowered his lashes. “Could you please investigate who switched my little sister all those years ago?” The old couple were well-

informed about the recent Sanders family drama. Mrs. Sanders sighed, rubbing her temples, “After twenty-some years, who can

be certain? It could all be destiny.” Destiny—a word that dismissed all of

Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Maja’s sufferings over the years. Beck found himself at a loss for words, for they believed too strongly in the cycle of karma. He

quietly left the study and overheard the chatter in the hall. People were discussing Maja, some even suggesting another paternity

test. But with the elders’ recognition of Maja, no one dared to make a scene. Beck’s gaze fixed on York. York glared back,

hostility hanging in the air before he sneered and walked away. The murmurs shifted from Maja to York, whose ambitions were

too transparent. “He’s eyeing the Sanders’ shares.” “Typical, he has no sons, and his house is filled with women, none of whom

are pregnant.” “His only daughter is spoiled and foolish, no wonder he’s on edge.” Every other Sanders had sons, except for

York, whose daughter spent money like water, splurging thousands on male models—much like a male version of Beck. But to

the Sanders, thousands were but a drop in the ocean, and no one really cared, save for a few snide comments toward York. In

his youth, York flaunted his conquests, even in front of his bride, only to end up with a daughter. None of his mistresses bore

children, and later it was revealed that York suffered from a low sperm count—his daughter his only child. Still, he kept a harem,

an embarrassment to his daughter and a slap to his lawful wife, who, with age, had lost her allure. As for his daughter, she was

left to her own devices, with plenty of money but no love.