Chapter 915

Celine put away her phone and reached for the doorbell. A honk startled her.

"It seems you don't understand English, Aunt Celine!" Alexander's cold voice cut through the air as he leaned out of his car.

Celine was speechless. He'd been on the phone moments ago. Had he been nearby the whole time, watching her? He'd rushed home from work, going to extraordinary lengths to protect his wife. She sneered inwardly before turning.

"I was merely concerned for my beloved nephew and his wife! You returned just in time. Let me come in with you."

His return was fortunate; she could now follow him inside.

"Aunt Celine, what don't you understand? I told you Lily is ill and doesn't want visitors. Why are you making this difficult?" Celine frowned.

"Are you not going to let me in at all?"

His decisive refusal, delivered without hesitation, shocked her. Her eyes widened.

"What did you say?!"

"Drop the act, Aunt Celine! It's been years. Everyone knows. I respect you as my aunt, and I've tried to overlook things repeatedly. Hasn't the lack of contact been peaceful after all these years? I know why you're here, so let's dispense with the pretense."

Alexander's ruthlessness shattered Celine's pretense of civility.

"Alex, remember, I will always be your aunt, your grandmother will always be your grandmother. You're a Russell, and there's no escaping that. Even as an adult, don't forget your grandfather's words before he died. Your father was a filial son. Are you going to rebel against them?"

She stood tall, confident in her argument. Alexander's face grew colder with each word.

"Are you finished?"

Celine remained silent.

"Then leave. I never needed your guidance growing up, and I don't need it now." Celine felt a flicker of fear. He wasn't as weak as her brother. Alexander's stubborn dominance, inherited from his mother, annoyed her. Hatred surged, yet she dared not confront him.

She grabbed her bag, snorted, and returned to her car, driving away.

Only after watching her leave did Alexander move his car to the entrance, scanned his card, and entered the gates.

Lily was about to send a maid to check on Celine when Alexander strode toward her. "Why are you back?"

His early return surprised her. Without a word, he pulled her into a hug, his breath slightly short as he rested his head on her shoulder, tightening his embrace.