?Chapter 1016:


    The staff, flustered and unsure how to handle her antics, wanted to report the situation to Joelle, but Rnd’s cold warning silenced them, and they dared not speak a word.


    On the second day, Katie’s behavior worsened. She barked orders, nitpicked every little thing, and made life miserable for everyone around her. Adrian eventually confronted her. “Katie, do you still think you’re some kind of royalty?”


    Katie leaned back with an air of indifference. “I have a good son. Like it or not, you can’t just throw out a sick woman, can you?”


    On the third day, Molly reached her breaking point and erupted into a furious tirade.


    Rnd and Katie listened to the family’s argument in the backyard.


    “I can’t take it anymore! Is this even my home? That woman is constantly stirring up trouble! How am I supposed to focus on my art in this chaos?” Joelle and Aurora took turns calming her down, their soothing words finally coaxing Molly back to her room in tears.


    Katie lounged on the couch, her tone dripping with derision. “See that? They pretend to be so kind, but deep down, they despise us.”


    Rnd nodded, his face devoid of emotion. “Then let’s move out.”


    Katie shot up. “Why should we leave? I’m a Miller too! Why should they live in luxury while I’m left with nothing?”


    Rnd stayed silent, his gaze fixed on her contorted face.


    Katie quickly adjusted her tone, realizing she had said too much. “I’m not trying to cling to anything unfairly, but don’t you see? Everything Adrian and his family have now should have been ours!”


    Rnd’s expression darkened slightly. “Oh?”


    ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???????????????? ???? g????????ν??????．??????


    Katie nodded fervently. “It’s true! Our family’s downfall is all because of Adrian!”


    The day Aurora left for college arrived soon.


    Through the window, Katie observed themotion of their family preparing for Aurora’s departure.


    “Which university did Aurora get into?”


    “Dugruayae University,” Rnd replied.


    It was the top university in the country, a revered institution etched into the dreams of countless students.


    Katie scoffed with disbelief. “She must’ve cheated. There’s no way she’s capable of getting in on her own!”


    For once, Rnd didn’t parrot his mother’s venom. Instead, he nced at her and said, “Aurora’s brilliant. She’s sharp and resourceful. She earned it.”


    Katie’s face darkened at his defense of Adrian’s daughter. Yet, biting her tongue, she decided against picking a fight. Building bridges with her son was her priority now.


    “Rnd, I found this in your room.”


    From her pocket, she pulled out a crumpled but carefully preserved photograph of herself from her youth.


    .


    .


    .