Chapter 412: She Is My Sister

Aeldric’s laugh echoed through the hall as he saw Mallory retreat under Justin’s words.

"Mallory, you’d better not provoke my grandson," Aeldric said. "You’ve seen in the past what he could do—and I’m sure he’s still the same. He was born that way—just like his grandfather."

Mallory looked at her father, only to see his expression turning colder as he asked, "You do know what it means to be like me, don’t you, Mallory?"

Mallory was well aware of how cruel her father could be. She decided to give up—for now. She glanced at Justin again, whose gaze still sent chills down her spine.

Just then, Kawin arrived. "Mr. Riverdale, the Hartz family is here."

Aeldric looked at Justin. "Aiden, since you’re going to marry Grace, I’ve invited them to have breakfast with us. Later, we can discuss the wedding arrangements."

Before Justin could say anything, Mallory exclaimed, "Father, are you really going to marry Grace to Aiden? Wasn’t she supposed to marry my son?"

"That was before I found Aiden," Aeldric replied. "Collin Hartz would only marry his daughter to the heir of the Riverdale family—and Aiden is that heir."

"Father—"

"No more discussion," Aeldric raised his hand. "There are other business families with daughters for your sons."

Mallory gritted her teeth. The Hartz family was the richest and most powerful business family in the eastern country. Marrying their daughter would only give Aiden more power. And then what would happen to her long-cherished dream of taking over the Riverdales and having one of her sons inherit Aeldric’s legacy?

Justin ignored their argument and asked the butler, "Where is Meira?"

"She’s in her room, Young Master."

Justin went straight to her room. He knocked on the door and, after hearing no response, opened it.

Inside, he saw Meira sitting in the corner of the room, her head buried in her arms wrapped around her folded knees.

Justin felt a wave of concern. If Aeldric had deemed her useless now, she might no longer be safe.

"Meira," he called softly.

The girl raised her head—her face and eyes were swollen, clearly from crying for a long time. He went to her and knelt in front of her. "What happened?"

"You’re not my brother, right?" she asked. "I’m not from this family."

"Who told you this?" he asked.

"Last night, when I sneaked out to get water from the kitchen, I heard Grandpa talking to that man, Kawin, in the drawing room," she replied. "They were discussing whether to keep me here or kill me... since I’m a fake granddaughter."

"Don’t listen to them," Justin tried to reassure her—but then he heard her say again, "They’re going to kill me now, aren’t they?"

Justin’s heart clenched, as if something had gripped it tightly. She might not be related to him by blood, but the affection she had shown—calling him ’brother,’ looking at him like he was the only person in her world—was all genuine.

"No one’s going to harm you. I won’t allow it," Justin said. "You should trust me."

"I’m scared of dying... but I’m more sad that you’re not my brother," she said, tears starting to roll down her cheeks. "I thought I finally had someone who cared for me... someone who treated me well. I thought I had a family for real. But... why aren’t you my real brother?"

"I your brother. Don’t you already call me that?" he said in a coaxing voice, gently patting her head. "You don’t have to worry about anything. Soon, I’ll send you somewhere safe—where you can live the way you want. Just be patient for a while."

"Will you be there too?" she asked. "At that safe place?"

"Yes," he replied. "And someone else you might like."

"Who?"

"You’ll know soon," he said with a faint smile. "Now calm down and come outside to have breakfast with me."

As she heard it, she quietly admitted, "They didn’t give me anything to eat last night."

Justin sighed, suppressing the rising anger at the way she was already being mistreated.

"I’m sorry. That won’t happen again. Now come with me."

She nodded with a hum and went to wash her face, while Justin waited for her to return.

There was a knock on the door as the butler entered the room. "Young Master, Master Aeldric has asked you to meet the guests."

"Tell him that I’m coming out—with my sister," Justin replied.

The butler left with the message. It was one Aeldric would clearly understand: Justin intended to treat Meira as his sister, and Aeldric would have to accept it.

Once Meira was ready, the two of them stepped outside.

"Don’t be scared. Just remember—you are my sister, and no one can dare hurt you," Justin said.

Meira nodded and walked beside him.

"There he is," Aeldric announced as they arrived.

Collin and his wife offered polite smiles, while Grace couldn’t take her eyes off Justin. He looked exceptionally handsome—so much so that she swore no man could compare to him.

"That girl?" Collin asked, eyeing Meira.

"She’s my sister—Meira," Justin answered. "Mr. Riverdale had hidden her for as long as he was concerned with her safety. But now that I’m back, there’s no need for that anymore."

They were surprised to hear it—no one knew Aeldric had a granddaughter. But now that Justin had said it, Aeldric couldn’t deny it. To refute it would be to admit she was a fake, and that would raise too many questions.

"She’s Alexander’s daughter," Aeldric said, smoothly recovering. "What happened back then with my son and his family made me worry for my granddaughter’s safety, so I kept her hidden from my enemies."

Collin hummed thoughtfully, while his wife looked at Meira. "She’s a beautiful young girl."

Aeldric offered a smile. "Indeed. Riverdale genes have always been superior—in every way."

"I can’t agree more," Collin said, smiling.

Meira didn’t know how to react. After glancing once at the guests, she kept her gaze lowered.