Chapter 158

Emmalie burst into tears. "Max, what do you mean? Now that you know Thea has Nicolas's backing, you're siding with her against me? Fine, it's all my fault. My existence is a mistake. I'll leave."

Duncan quickly pulled his sister back, comforting her with Ivy. "He just got emotional. It's alright. Mom and I will always be here for you. There must be a solution."

Duncan gritted his teeth. "Thea won't let go of Grandpa's assets. We'll immediately announce that she's no longer associated with our family. Even if Grandpa left his inheritance to her, this will—"

Under their comfort, Emmalie calmed down and nodded. "Yes, do it. That'll work."

Ivy hesitated. "Do we have to? She's family—my daughter, your sister."

Duncan's eyes were dark. "Mom, you treat her as your daughter, but she doesn't treat you as her mother. She didn't tell us about marrying Nicolas. Now, we're insignificant to him. What good is our 'kinship' if he chooses to make things difficult for us?"

Ivy wavered.

Max pinched his eyebrows. "Let's calm down and plan our next move."

Duncan glared at him. "Max, you're always cautious, but we don't have time. Thea hates us. If we don't act decisively, we're finished." He turned and left, Emmalie following him.

Ivy glanced between her sons, then went to find her daughter.

Max watched them go, feeling a headache coming on. He texted Thea, hoping to explain the misunderstanding. But a deep rift had formed. A simple message wouldn't fix things. He decided to try and arrange a peaceful conversation.

Later, Emmalie approached Duncan, seemingly defending him. "Duncan, I thought Max was so capable, so omnipotent. He supports the family and takes care of everyone. But he’s too soft with Thea. You're clearly more suited to lead."

Duncan's expression softened. He touched Emmalie's head. "Thank you, Emmalie. You're the only one who understands me."

Emmalie hugged his arm. "I don't understand Grandpa's decision. Why leave everything to Max? You're far more capable. Look at him—indecisive with Thea. If it were you—"

Duncan chuckled. "I know what Grandpa was thinking. He favored Thea and Max. Thea needs to be controlled."

Emmalie smiled. "It doesn't matter, Duncan. I'll always support you, even if Max and Mom don't understand."

Chapter 158 (Continued)

"Really?" Duncan's eyes lit up. He stopped, holding Emmalie's shoulders. "You're not lying?"

Emmalie smiled. "You're my brother. Of course not."

Duncan's eyes reddened.

Emmalie saw his ambition. Out of his sight, she smiled slyly. She realized that while everyone claimed to care for her, Ivy couldn't completely abandon Thea. Only Duncan, smart but impulsive, was truly reliable.

Nicolas openly escorted Thea back to the Hendrix family, attracting attention.

Jake, emerging from the study with a worried expression, was stunned. Five minutes earlier, he'd received an ultimatum: marry Madelyn, regardless of his feelings. Stefan had even called Madelyn's parents to set a wedding date.

Jake had liked Madelyn, finding Thea too overwhelming. He knew others criticized Thea—strict, fierce, ill-tempered—but he also heard positive comments: "Miss Rowland is beautiful and capable," and "Mr. Hendrix wastes his position."

Torn between resentment and self-interest, Jake chose a compromise—Madelyn offered admiration he lacked with Thea. He held onto a faint hope of winning Thea back, becoming a "new person" to impress her. He was about to call her when he saw Nicolas with Thea.