Chapter 58: What a Pity

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Perfect… perfect education?

Abner’s words carried considerable weight, rendering Gary and Caroline momentarily speechless.

Gary and Caroline were Abner’s biological parents, yet they both knew that they had, to a considerable extent, neglected their son.

As the children had grown older and Gary had aged, he yearned for improved relations with his offspring. He hoped to see them more frequently at home and achieve a harmonious family life.

Caroline, on the other hand, didn’t feel a sense of indebtedness toward Abner, even though she recognized deep down that she had neglected him. She believed that Abner had led a comfortable life from a young age and required no additional concern.

However, when she glimpsed the hurt in Abner’s eyes just now, Caroline found herself uncertain of how to address it.

Was she wrong? No, she hadn’t made a mistake!

The Rick Family, which she had married into, had gradually declined in recent years. Presently, their main financial support came from their business partnership with the Lance Family.

Abner was clearly the future heir to the Lance Family’s leadership, yet he appeared heartless. He was unwilling to consider his brother’s well-being and instead chose to watch Jerry teeter on the brink of despair.

Now, he actually wanted to criticize her. Caroline was instantly enraged.

“Education? What’s wrong with my teachings? Abner, I’m your mother. Is this how you repay me? Don’t you realize that Jerry is your brother by blood? How can you abandon him?”

Abner massaged his temples, no longer willing to engage in futile arguments with this unreasonable woman. His gaze shifted toward Audrey, who sat to the side, seemingly lost in thought. Just then, a set of large words materialized above her head.

[Big Brother looks a little sad. Should I console him?]

‘Sad?’

Abner’s lips twitched.

He couldn’t say he felt sad. He was simply a bit exasperated.

Abner had no further interest in involving himself with Jerrys affairs, and he had no intention of doing so in the future either.

Turning back to Caroline, he asserted sternly, “Your son made a mistake. If you want to address it, you should ask his father for help instead of us, as we are not directly involved. It’s futile to seek us out. On the other hand, Audrey is part of our family now. Who do you think should receive our support?”

The moment he said that, Abner seemed to sense Audrey and Anthea secretly heave a sigh of relief.

Caroline felt like Abner’s words had stabbed her heart like a knife. She clenched her sleeves tightly and shot a long, resentful look at Abner. Finally, without looking back, she picked up her bag and left.

Not long after, there was a burst of applause in the living room.

“Clap!”

It was Eric.

Every eye in the room turned toward him. Eric flashed a smile and locked eyes with Abner. “Tsk, Big Brother,” he quipped, “I’ve only just discovered your eloquence today. What a shame Charlotte wasn’t here to witness this scene.”

Eric’s mischievous expression left Abner momentarily speechless. Just then, Gary abruptly stood up and silently retreated to his room.

Caroline’s unexpected arrival earlier had cast a peculiar aura over the household. Yet, thanks to Abner’s vigilant defense of Audrey, an air of relative harmony still lingered in everyone’s expressions.”

Gary had suddenly left because the argument earlier was quite unpleasant.

“Forget about it,” Eric shrugged nonchalantly. “The old man can be unpredictable sometimes. He’ll bounce back in a day or two.”

Abner stole a glance at Audrey before swiftly retreating to his room.

Anthea cast a heart-wrenching look at her daughter. Audrey sensed her mother’s unspoken words and silently ascended the stairs.

Eric, growing restless with the silence, considered messaging his friends for a club outing, but his phone rang before he could act.

Eric felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him upon seeing his mother’s name on the caller ID.

The ongoing battle for family assets—when would it ever end?

In the room, Anthea closed the door and dragged Andrey to sit on the bed.

Audrey’s face remained impassive, but Anthea’s expression was tinged with sadness. “Audrey, please tell me the truth. What exactly did you go through? What did Linda and Jerry do to you?”

Initially, Audrey had hesitated to confide in Anthea about the ordeal, not wanting to cause her additional distress.

However, Abner’s revelations in the living room had made it clear that there was no point in keeping it hidden any longer. It was time for them to be honest with each other..”