a thin line. The unspoken rule was that no one

uld lash out

about bastards, there ar

dre fl

illegitimate children from

t up from

did yo

der sister, then this family clearl

ou

ntervened

a grudge against Eden and me?

a master of hypocrisy, knew how

nvolved with Eden back then. But he told me he didn't

rst out l

I've ever heard a mist

ne fr

y? Did you get it

roared, slamming his

Jeanne, impassive, he

ere. Enjoy

by the hand and

ndre shouted. "

, her gaze

Even if you beat me again, like you did seven year

e left without a

thing, but Jeanne's words had trappe

sat frozen, stunned into silence by Jeanne's audacity-the one woman no one dared to contradict. It was no

ed meal, could only choke down their fury. They knew that if they dared

launched blind attacks; every word was an arrow released with icy calculation. And the worst part? E

ed at the em

mage, painting her as sweet and vulnerable

as a threat. A

ght be, she was still just a single mother being forced

he had neither the desire nor the energy to guess their intenti

ard George. "Did yo

I ate while you w

, an approving smil

d prepared her son for these dirty fights. The child was a

ing had happened. Afterward, they took a peaceful stroll in the

rom work and ordered, "You're dini

went to get dressed, t

ed. "Why are yo

f course he's c

ize where yo

ing Joshua to i

other notch. "You're real

Why are you so nervous? Worried the Lockes will reject t

irtight, Alexandre

ion. "Alex, Jeanne's right. The Locke family knows she has a child. We migh

" Alexandre roared, sla

eanne, George, Jasmine, and Ed

p to the most prestigious r

ced reverence came

xandre headed for the private dining roo

tavie, Hugues and his wife Naomi, their son

nt his eyes met Jeanne's. She was stunning. Wavy hair framed a fine-boned face, her figure was

udged him discreetly, and he q

eeted them with

introductions. The dinner commenced in a stifling atmosph

édus excused himself under

ched their table. "Ma'am, Mr. Locke

lips, stood, and

her in the hallway, his

ut kept what she dee

" he announced abruptly. "It's fast, I

," she replied, offe

pression. Despite her captivating beauty, she was still a wo

if it weren't for your family, this marriag

u will obey me. There will be no scenes. If I have someone

mained st

silence, he growled

, "Do you have any

at George. "Your son

ive voice cut through the tension. "And who,

It was Edward, the fourt