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Genevieve had caught Charlotte and Judd “in the act” right out on the street, and sure enough, someone online had snapped pictures and posted them everywhere. As the gossip snowballed, mostizens, seasoned in the scandals of the Howard family, actually found

themselves siding with Charlotte for once.

#And Genevieve has the nerve to call out her sister–inw? If I recall, didn’t Mr. Howard’s old me force his wife to leave in the first ce?#

#Exactly! Does the inte have no memory?#

#Wait, wasn’t Mr. Howard’s wife that other woman before? When did she get swapped out?#

#Is that sarcasm I sense?#

At Howard Manor, Miranda’s face darkened as she read thements. She shot a withering look at Ilse. “I told you to keep your daughter in line, and look at the mess she’s made!”

Ilsezily brushed a bit of lint from her sleeve. “Sister–inw, maybe I can’t control my daughter, but you haven’t exactly kept your own daughter–inw in check, have you? And anyway, that whole thing with your son and Tricia–everyone knows it’s true.”

Ilse had never talked back to Miranda before. Usually she just ignored her, pretending not ito /ihear. But today, there was an edge to her voice Miranda had never heard.

Miranda stood abruptly. “Say that again, I dare you!”

“What are you two fighting about now?”

Rosemary and Lte had just stepped into the sitting room, the raised voices greeting them at the door and souring their expressions.

Miranda hurried over. “Mother, Genevieve’s been airing Charlotte and Evander’s dirtyundry online, and now the whole world’s watching us make a fool of ourselves!”

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Rosemary rolled the beads between her fingers, her face calm. “We’re all

family here. If we let little things like this tear us apart, the real embarrassment has already happened. Why bother caring what

outsiders think?”

Miranda was stunned into silence.

Ilse said nothing.

Rosemary moved unhurriedly to the sofa and sat. “Enough. Clear out, both of you.”

Ilse didn’t linger, rising and leaving at once.

Only Miranda was left behind.

She watched Ilse’s retreating figure, unwilling to let the matter drop. “Mother, about Ilse-”

“I know you and Ilse have always shed, but is this really the time for in–fighting?” Rosemary had always admired Miranda as her eldest daughter–inw, but today her disappointment was in.

Miranda bit her tongue, swallowing her grievances.

The old woman turned the prayer beads in her hand, her gaze sharp. “Ilse’s clever–too clever. In this family, you’re the only one I can trust now. With Evander in the hospital, the whole household depends on you. If you keep picking fights with Ilse, the Howard family will never have a moment’s peace.”

Miranda understood her meaning instantly.

Jensen had always been mediocre, and by marrying Ilse–so shrewd and ambitious–he’d never settle for the status quo.

Ilse’s true ambition had been clear ever since the day she helped her daughter drug the Rayburn boy.

As it stood, only the Howard family knew about Evander’s lung cancer. If Miranda pushed Ilse too far, Ilse might just team up with outsiders–and. then the Howards would never know peace again.

Miranda nced at the old matriarch. She had to admit, Rosemary’s instincts were as sharp as ever.

She lowered her head. “I’m sorry, Mother. I lost my temper.”

“It’s not your fault.” Rosemary closed her eyes, weary. “While Evander’s in the hospital, keep a close eye on Howard Enterprises. And if you must, prepare a backup n.” She opened her eyes, her look steely. “And above all, keep Evander’s illness under wraps.”

“Yes, I understand.”

That afternoon, Charlotte and Judd returned to their hotel, only to run into Julian and a couple of bodyguards in the lobby.

Julian hurried over. “There you are, mydy! You finally made it back and-” He gestured at Judd. “You two came in together? Wait, don’t tell me what’s trending online is actually true?”

“Trending?” Charlotte blinked, pulling out her phone to check.

Judd answered evenly, “We’re staying at the same hotel, not the same room. Don’t tell me the Rayburn family believes every rumor they read?”

Julian sighed. “Of course, we know better. But the tabloids? They’ll spin anything. If you two get spotted together, it’ll be impossible to exin.” He muttered under his breath, “If you want to date our youngdy, at least wait till she’s divorced…”

Judd flicked a nce at Charlotte, but she was engrossed in the headlines, inot /ihearing a word.

He pressed his lips into a thin line. “Mr. Julian’s got a point.”

Julian’s eyes bulged. He really does want to?

Charlotte’s eyes stopped on thest headline.

#Howard Family Heir Leaves Country to Recuperate#

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