Chapter 547:

It never occurred to Tess that Jayden would say something so preposterous. Fury surged through her, and she pounded the table, her voice rising in a storm of reprimand. "How dare you say I didn't raise you? I carried you for nine long months and labored to bring you into this world! I made countless efforts!"

Jayden's lips curled into a mocking smile. "I've always told you to read more, lest you expose your ignorance and foolishness."

"You ungrateful son!" Tess clutched her chest, a sharp pain seizing her.

"Come in," Andrew commanded, his face thunderous. He pointed to an empty seat. "Sit down. Let's talk."

Jayden didn't hesitate. He had come precisely to discuss this with his parents. Turning, he effortlessly lifted Elyse with one hand, his steps crunching on shattered glass. He gently seated her before sitting down himself.

Andrew's eyelids twitched at Jayden's nonchalance. "I didn't realize you two were so close," he said, a calculating note in his voice.

Jayden remained impassive. Ignoring the implication, he went straight to the point. "What did you want to discuss?"

Andrew tapped the table sharply. "Go apologize to your grandfather and beg him not to disown you!"

"That's right," Tess interjected. "You need to prove your loyalty and secure your reinstatement as heir."

"Exactly," Andrew continued. "Once he agrees, we'll forgive you. Then Bryce won't have to compete. He can stay home, and we'll find him a suitable wife."

Tess nodded enthusiastically. "Now that you're no longer disabled, I'll put those snobs in their place. We'll host a banquet to celebrate."

Andrew agreed. "Absolutely. We must assert our dominance."

Elyse quietly sipped her water, listening to Andrew and Tess's domineering pronouncements. Their dismissal of Jayden was evident.

Jayden glanced at Elyse, offering her some fruit. Leaning back, he spoke with lazy defiance. "Who told you Grandfather Enzo kicked me out? I severed ties."

Andrew's eyes widened in disbelief. He struggled to control his anger. "What did you say? You severed ties voluntarily? Do you understand what you're saying?"

Jayden nodded, his voice steady. "Of course."

Andrew, furious, slammed the table. "How dare you cut ties with your own family? How could I have raised such a weakling?!"

Tess added indignantly, "How dare you speak to us like that! Come with us to apologize to your grandfather."

Both rose, intending to drag Jayden to Enzo.

Elyse felt increasingly that they were treating Jayden like a criminal.

"Enough!" Jayden shouted.

Andrew and Tess froze, staring in shock. Jayden's eyes were cold, the light in them dimming, as if something within him was dying.

After a heavy silence, Jayden asked, "Have you ever wondered why I pretended to be crippled?"

Andrew sneered. "What other reason? You thought you were powerful enough to defy your family, didn't you?!"

Tess's brow furrowed. "I'm not blaming you, but why pretend to be disabled? Do you know what your father and I endured this past year? How many people laughed at us? And now you're perfectly fine. Do you realize how deeply you've disappointed us?"

Staring at his parents, Jayden felt profound sorrow. This was his family, no different from the rest of the Owen clan.

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