Aaron scoffed in disbelief as he watched his grandfather completely ignore his existence, all his attention focused solely on Leo.
Not that he minded—well, not entirely—but he had always believed himself to be Edward’s second favorite grandson. And despite being disowned earlier, Aaron was convinced it was only because the old man had been upset.
"Second Master, your juice."
Butler Ben’s voice pulled Aaron out of his thoughts, yet he refused to look away.
"Butler Ben, what’s wrong with Grandpa? Why is he suddenly giving me the cold shoulder after making me drive here?" Aaron asked, clearly displeased.
He had planned to spend some quality time with his nephew after being away for a while. But the moment Edward called, he had dropped everything and rushed over.
Now, he felt like he didn’t even exist.
"It feels like I’m invisible here," he muttered, taking the glass and sipping his juice with a slight pout.
Aaron had always believed Edward was not the kind of man to act petty. But after being ignored for nearly an hour, he was starting to think people really could change.
"My great-grandson, how was your day? Did you study well?"
Edward’s warm voice immediately drew Aaron’s attention back to him.
Leo, happily enjoying his donuts with a banana smoothie, hummed as he chewed.
"It was nice, Gappy. I had a wonderful day," he said, his smile reaching his eyes.
Edward nodded, his expression softening further.
"Is everyone treating you well? Your teacher... your classmates?"
At that, Leo paused. He blinked, then swallowed the food in his mouth.
"Gappy... why are you asking me that?" he asked cautiously.
Aaron frowned too, noticing the shift in Edward’s tone. But what Edward said next made him gape.
"Because Gappy found out that someone has been troubling you at school."
"Troubling? Who?" Aaron demanded, immediately alert.
He had only been away for a short time—but only he knew how hectic that trip had been. Seminars, meetings, endless work... it had stretched longer than expected.
And now this?
How much had he missed?
Edward’s lips twitched slightly as he cast a sharp glance at Aaron, who didn’t flinch. Instead, Aaron quickly moved closer to them.
Leo looked between the two men and gulped.
He had thought his father wouldn’t tell Edward about what happened at school. But now, with both of them watching him so intently, he couldn’t help but sigh.
"Gappy, you don’t have to worry about it. I’m following Mommy’s advice, and it’s helping me a lot," Leo said with a bright smile before taking another bite of his donut.
Mommy? As in the woman staying with them? Edward wondered.
Aaron, on the other hand, frowned deeply.
That imposter... what kind of advice is she giving my nephew? Don’t tell me she’s teaching him voile—
Suddenly, his thoughts flashed back to the moment he had been pinned to the ground, nearly choked.
No. No. Don’t get distracted, Aaron, he quickly shook off the memory and focused on Leo again.
"What advice did she give you?" Aaron asked.
"What advice are you talking about?" Edward asked at the same time.
"..."
Both of them spoke in unison, causing Leo to pause again and look at them in confusion.
Aaron and Edward exchanged a brief glance. Edward’s lips twitched in irritation, while Aaron slowly stepped back with a cheeky grin.
"You go first, Grandpa. Hehe... I can wait," Aaron said.
Edward ignored him and turned back to Leo, his voice softening once more.
"My great-grandson, what advice are you talking about?" he asked gently, easing the confusion on Leo’s face.
Edward might not fully trust the woman Xander had brought into the house, but he needed to understand her intentions toward Leo.
Only Edward knew how hard he was trying to control his anger after learning that Nate had been giving Leo a hard time at school.
Edward might not fully trust the woman Xander had brought into the house, but he needed to understand her intentions toward Leo.
Only Edward knew how hard he was trying to control his anger after learning that Nate had been giving Leo a hard time at school. But when he discovered it had turned physical, he couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of guilt.
While Edward had always been upset with Xander’s decision to take Leo away, he now realized it hadn’t been an impulsive choice. It had come from the life Xander himself had endured while growing up in the Emerson household.
Aaron, on the other hand, noticed the silence that had settled over Edward and immediately picked up on it.
"Mommy said you should never let anyone walk over you—even if it’s someone close to you," Leo said, standing proudly as he spoke.
"..."
Did she really teach him that? Both Aaron and Edward wondered, exchanging a quiet glance.
For Aaron, the words stirred something deeper. His mind drifted back to his own childhood—when he had been bullied simply for standing by Xander. The harassment had continued for a long time... until the day he finally fought back.
That day had changed everything. Because after that, no one ever dared to mess with him again.
***
Meanwhile, back at the Emerson Mansion, the doctor examined Ivy while she remained unconscious.
"Everything seems to be fine. However, I strongly suggest that Miss Ivy allow her body to fully recover," Dr. Gioden said as he turned to Xander, who had been watching Ivy the entire time.

I’m dead.

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