I do not care for the child in that woman's belly, even if it was a Shurmer. Being the Hoffman family's heir, that b*tch has a complicated background. Though the Shurmer family has no cause to fear the Hoffman family, both sides stand to lose if a war broke out. It is not worth it to wipe out our bloodline for somebody who isn't even born yet. I would rather my son marry a woman with no background or societal standing than have him provoke a prestigious family as big and ancient as the Hoffmans. Doing that is no different from playing with matches and raining death and destruction onto our family. Besides, I never liked that little b*tch. I don't care if she's pregnant. She will never marry into the Shurmer family without my blessing.

Zeke watched her. Though his expression was blank, his gaze was frigid.

“I'm not telling you to ask for your blessing. Truth be told, I will be breaking Juliana out of that place no matter what you think. Aside from the fact that she is carrying my child, I owe her that much just from the fact that she's Bay's disciple alone. If you're worried about me implicating the Shurmer family, you could discuss the matter of disowning me with my father. I'll give you back all my rights and be officially out of the Shurmer family. Whatever trouble I get into will never come back to haunt you.”

Waverly's eyes widened with disbelief.

How could he say that? Is he going to cut himself from his family for a woman? We have spent decades nurturing him, grooming him with much difficulty to take over the family. He would give up everything for an unimportant woman. Just what a great son I have raised.

“Are you going to sever ties with your mother, Zeke? You would do that for a woman? How could you be so irresponsible?”

Zeke smiled coldly. “I'm glad you brought that up. You should know I have a responsibility for her and her son—a man's responsibility. On the one hand, you want me to be responsible, while on the other, you're forcing me to abandon them. Isn't that double standards?”

Waverly choked.

My son is too quick with words. I cannot outwit him.

Naturally, she would not allow him to give up his birthright, nor would she stand and watch while he severed ties with the Shurmer family.

It took us years to raise a worthy heir. He is the only son of the Shurmer family. What will happen to us if he leaves?

The two lapsed into silence. The corridor had become so quiet that the atmosphere felt strange.

Some time later, Bailey emerged from the emergency room.

Waverly did not deign to continue the meaningless quarrel with her son, because she knew him well enough to know that nothing would change his mind once he decided upon something. No words would dissuade him from his decision.

She walked up to Bailey as she was more worried about her nephew.

Interestingly, she was much more pleasant to Bailey possibly because she had thought things through.

“How is he? Is your cousin all right?”

Bailey froze.

Cousin? That's right. Lionel is my cousin. What happened to her? She is acknowledging my existence.

Though Waverly lowered herself, Bailey remained cold and aloof. “He's not dead yet, but he's still not out of danger. We'll check in on him again tomorrow at noon. If he makes it past the first twenty-four hours, he will most likely be fine.”

Waverly opened her mouth as if to say something but swallowed her words at Bailey's cold expression.

I admit that I have gone too far in certain aspects, but I am still an elder. I shouldn't have to lower myself to apologize to this girl.

Bailey glanced at her. Without saying a word, she turned and returned to the emergency room.

I never had high hopes for a mother's love. That woman has chosen Zoey over me, so nothing she does will ever touch me. There is only the stiff formality of an elder conversing with someone young between us, never mother and daughter.

Waverly glared at her back. “Look at that attitude,” she said in a dissatisfied tone to Zeke. “I took the initiative to speak, yet she still puts on that smug look. Does she expect me to kneel before her and beg for forgiveness?”

Zeke said nothing. He turned and headed to the study.

I have more important matters to deal with, such as personally contacting the head of the Hoffman family and pressuring him to preserve the baby in Juliana's belly.

In the military general hospital in Dellmoor, Tamara, Raiden, and a group of politicians were crowding around the entrance to the emergency room, wearing similar looks of panic.

Sloan was rushed to the hospital, having fainted suddenly half an hour prior. It had been quite some time, yet there was still no news.

Tamara's stern gaze swept toward a professionally-dressed woman. “He was fine when he left earlier today,” she said, gritting her teeth. “How did he suddenly pass out? As the chief secretary, you must know the reason.”
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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