Chapter 228

Max suspected his sister had been illegally adopted from the orphanage, a dead end for his investigation. Recently, however, his people spoke with a former neighbor of his mother, who mentioned a close friend.

"I need your help finding Ms. Hayes," Max said to Byron. "I could do it myself, but your family’s connections in Harrowfell would be faster."

Byron, after a moment’s thought, nodded. It was his great-niece, after all, Beaumont blood. Finding her would be a blessing.

The parlor relaxed. Byron changed the subject. “Max, you’ve helped Tyson find his daughter; have you considered your own marriage?”

Max chuckled, self-deprecating. “With this body, I’d better not trouble any woman.” Both families knew of his near-fatal youth injuries and lingering health problems.

Byron sipped his coffee. “You’re not getting any younger. A woman to care for you, someone to talk to… hasn’t anyone caught your eye?”

Max, handsome despite everything, could easily find someone. But when Byron asked, only Paisley’s image during acupuncture treatments came to mind.

“There is someone,” he admitted.

“Then spend time with her, see how it goes. If it works out, bring her to your father,” Byron suggested.

“I’ll try,” Max smiled, unfazed by the matchmaking. Byron was surprised by Max’s calm; Nathaniel always reacted impatiently to similar discussions.

Morris chimed in, “She must be remarkable, to capture your interest.”

Max nodded firmly. “She is.”

Julia added, “Then bring her to meet Grandpa soon, Uncle Max.”

Max smiled, then scanned the room. “Where’s Nathaniel?”

Byron’s face darkened. Peter looked displeased. Younger Beaumonts displayed varying degrees of amusement, from schadenfreude to indifference. Only Diana looked concerned.

“Grandpa sent him to Brightmoor for training,” Diana explained.

Byron snorted. “Good. Let him learn some hardship; he’s always causing trouble.” They still didn’t know how Nathaniel offended Dominick, but it had been something serious.

Morris, ever opportunistic, added, “I hear our little brother has fallen for a woman.”