Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 686

He knew Carson felt the same way deep down. Even if the child hadn't consciously realized it yet, there was an underlying unease in his heart that had triggered his tantrum.

Children are far more attuned to their parents' emotions and attitudes than at any other age.

This is also the stage when they need their parents the most.

Even with other relatives around, nothing can replace a mother and father's presence at this tender age. Prolonged absence from parents inevitably leaves little ones feeling frightened and insecure. The elderly matriarch gazed at them and sighed, "Alright then, I'll have you all sent over. But you must behave yourselves, understand?"

As for that Ariana girl, the old lady was actually quite pleased with her.

Unlike her husband's prejudice against the young woman, the grandmother found her granddaughter-in-law rather commendable.

The only slight shortcoming was her family background.

But that hardly mattered.

Having borne three children for the Stone family was already her greatest contribution.

Though the recent incident with the Harper family had been a misunderstanding, the old lady felt somewhat guilty for not speaking up in Ariana's defense at the time. So when the two younger boys wanted to go, she didn't stand in their way. She decided to send all three brothers over, while dispatching additional staff from the main residence to assist.

This way, if Ariana and Lambert became overwhelmed after bringing the baby home from the hospital, there would be extra hands to help.

Kevin's face lit up with joy upon hearing his great-grandmother's approval. "Thank you, Great-grandma!" he exclaimed eagerly.

Carson reacted with more restraint.

He didn't show overt excitement, but inwardly he was thrilled.

The two brothers immediately dashed upstairs to share the news with their eldest brother, Lucian. "Big brother, we're all going to Mom and Dad's villa together!" Carson announced enthusiastically.

Kevin was actually a bit reluctant in his heart.

He wanted his mother to see only him, but since Carson was already going, having his eldest brother tag along wouldn’t make much difference.

Lucian, on the other hand, was overjoyed! He had been keeping his composure for days, but that didn’t mean he was truly calm. He had simply maintained the dignified and steady demeanor expected of the eldest grandson of the Stone family, just as his great-grandfather and grandfather had taught him. He was used to this restraint, so even though he desperately wanted to go, he hadn’t whined like a child to his elders about it.

His eyes sparkled as he said, "Let’s pack our things then!"

Carson nodded in agreement. And so, the three little ones excitedly set about gathering their belongings.

The servants didn’t intervene.

After all, if they really forgot anything essential, the main house could always send it over later. So even if some necessary clothes were left behind, no one bothered to remind them.

...

Meanwhile, on the other side.

The Harper household was in complete chaos.

Nathan followed behind him, glancing around before silently averting his gaze from the icy standoff between Irene and his adoptive mother.

The servants trembled in the background.

When the masters quarreled, they feared becoming collateral damage.

Kendra studied Irene with an impassive expression for a long moment before speaking. "You’re the one who did wrong. Do you really think you have any right to be angry? A young lady of the Harper family, coveting another woman’s husband, then setting a fire to kill her—Irene, tell me, what gives you the right to throw a tantrum here?"

Kendra's tone was perfectly calm, as casual as if she were having an ordinary conversation.

Yet it was precisely this composed demeanor that made Irene's face pale instantly, her eyes welling up with tears. "Fine, I admit it all! Are you happy now?" she choked out, her voice trembling with emotion. "What are you going to do? Hand me over to the police? Send your only daughter to jail?"

Kendra's gaze was icy as she regarded the hysterical young woman before her. "So, is your confidence in doing all this simply because you're my daughter?"

Irene faltered, an inexplicable pang of unease tightening in her chest.

Earl, watching the tense exchange between mother and daughter, couldn't help but interject despite his own growing frustration with his troublesome child. "Kendra, Irene is still young—"

Before he could finish, Kendra shot him a sharp glare. Kendra studied him for a long moment before responding, her voice laced with quiet derision. "Almost thirty years old, and still 'young'?" A faint, bitter smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. She turned back to Irene, her expression unreadable.

"I raised you from childhood, not so you could grow into someone who abuses her family's influence for selfish gain. And let alone the sheer magnitude of the disaster you've brought upon the Harper family this time."

Her eyes flickered briefly over Irene's ashen face before she continued, her tone measured. "I never intended to tell you this, but perhaps now you ought to know. You were adopted from an orphanage when you were just two years old—frail, sickly. I took you in out of pity. All these years, I’ve done my duty as a mother. Irene, neither I nor the Harper family owes you anything. If you had even an ounce of consideration for this family, you would never have done what you did. Since you clearly hold neither the Harper family nor me in any regard, then from today onward, you are no longer a daughter of this household."