?Chapter 1576:

Everyone knew that Kiley’s name had be a forbidden word around him since her death.

Even Corrine, whom Carl had cherished, was not spared from this silent rule. From the moment Kiley died, it was as if her name and her memories had been wiped clean from the Ford family.

Sensing the tension in the room, Chelsea quickly stepped in. Her voice was calm andposed. “Mrs. Hopkins, I arranged Corrine’s look today. If there was anything inappropriate, please forgive me.”

She had never met Kiley, nor seen any of her photos since marrying into the family. But Evelyn’s sudden mention of Kiley made her uneasy. It felt like more was hidden beneath the surface. She instinctively took the me, worried today’s misunderstanding might give the Hopkins family a reason to mistreat Corrine.

“How could it be inappropriate?” Evelyn said with a faint smile, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “In fact, I should thank you for dressing her that way.” Chelsea was caught off guard. She watched Evelyn carefully, sensing that there might be something deeper between her and Kiley.

“I truly thank you for raising Corrine so well all these years,” Evelyn said softly. “If Kiley were watching from above, she would be proud.”

Carl remained expressionless, his gaze distant. Then, in a quiet voice, he spoke. “I didn’t raise her for any of you. I raised her because she deserves a good life.”

His tone was calm, but there was a bitterness beneath the words.

Waldo, observing the interaction from the side, silently read the room. To him, this engagement celebration felt less like a joyous asion and more like a silent battle between two families.

There was a palpable hostility between Carl and Evelyn, one that neither tried to hide. Carl didn’t treat Evelyn as the grandmother of Corrine’s fiancé, but more like an adversary.

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But Evelyn remainedposed, even in the face of Carl’s coldness. “I know you me me for the path Corrine took,” she said. “But deep down, you know it wasn’t my doing.”

Carl’s fists clenched as he fought to control his anger. “All of you only think about yourselves. You never once cared about how she felt.”

Evelyn met his gaze without flinching. She calmly picked up her coffee cup. “Say what you want. If I were to meet Kiley in the afterlife, I could look her in the eye with a clear conscience.” She paused, then added, “I’ve already added Corrine’s name to the Hopkins family records. From now on, she’s one of us.”

The Ford family members exchanged shocked nces. Chelsea and Waldo were stunned, while Jayden’s expression darkened with anger.fn20c1 Follow current nov?ls on f?ndnovel/fn20c1

“You did that without consulting us?” Jayden snapped.

Evelyn wasn’t easily rattled. She had held back out of respect for Kiley and Corrine, but the Ford family’s attitude had crossed a line. They knew this was an engagement party, yet they still tried to pull back. She saw no reason to be polite anymore.

“How could I not consult you?” Evelyn narrowed her eyes slightly, a cold glimmer flickering in them. Her smile was faint yet sharp. “The marriage agreement may not be with me, but I remember it clearly—it states that Corrine is to marry Nate, with a token to prove it. Adding her to the family record is the natural next step.”

The room fell silent.

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