Chapter 34

Severin smiled, clinked glasses with them, and drank his red wine.

The Shanahans had just arrived home. As soon as they got out of the car, Catherine asked Felicia, "Just how much do you know about Severin? How could he be associating with someone like Henry? Henry was so respectful, suggesting he holds Severin in high regard!"

Felicia smiled awkwardly. "We know nothing. Diane refused to reveal Selene's father's identity, and we didn't know he was the same man who offended Easton five years ago. We only learned today that Selene's father is an ex-convict!"

The old lady frowned, looking at Felicia and William. "The rules always disadvantage the powerless. Severin's imprisonment suggests he was once ordinary, lacking money and power. But Henry's protection indicates there's more to him than meets the eye. There must be something special."

William sensed his mother was hinting at something. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Catherine pondered. "The past is the past. It's been years. I think we should let Diane and her family move back. Three extra mouths are nothing. We can afford it."

Overjoyed, William confirmed, "Mom, are we letting bygones be bygones? Can Diane, Selene, and Severin move back into the villa?"

The old lady's face hardened. "Haven't I made myself clear?"

Diane's cousin, Stanley, immediately objected. "Diane shamed the Shanahans. Her one-night stand is an ex-convict. Letting them move back is a slap in our faces. You said she'd be forever barred if she had the child."

The old lady frowned. "I said that in anger, to persuade her to have an abortion. The child is older now; that incident is in the past. We've already faced the shame. What can I do? Put the child back in the womb? Severin might be more capable than we think. Let them move back; we'll try to learn about his relationship with Henry."

William loved his daughter but hadn't dared defy his mother's decision to banish Diane, especially with Felicia's opposition. He'd secretly visited Diane and Selene a few times, giving Diane money.

He was happy his mother was welcoming them back. "That's wise, Mom! Diane suffered, and I'm sure she regrets her actions."

Felicia retorted coldly, "I doubt she regrets anything. If she did, she wouldn't be with Severin!" She then addressed the old lady, "Edward's family contacted us. They'll offer a $1.5 million dowry if Diane marries him. He clearly still loves her."

Stanley, fearing Diane might challenge his inheritance, agreed. "Good! We must unite Diane and Edward. The Horsfields are second-tier upper-class; it would benefit us."

Catherine, however, was displeased. "Have you forgotten Diane's situation is because we forced her to marry Edward five years ago? She went to a bar, got drunk, and slept with Severin. What makes you think she'll marry Edward now?" Her rebuke silenced Stanley. He knew Diane's stubbornness; their past efforts had been futile. He considered her a fool.

Felicia persisted, "Diane was spoiled; now, after five years of hardship, she might agree if I persuade her."