The Boleyn Manor.


    It was a rare sight to see everyone gathered.


    Carlton sat at the head of the dining table, looking all serious and upright.


    Everyone was there except for the empty seat to his left. His usually calm face showed a hint of anxious anticipation.


    Carlton fiddled with the beads in his hand. Over the years, the rtionship between Maximilian and the Boleyn family had been lukewarm at best.


    But that lukewarm rtionship was actually more torturous.


    "Your son is really something, isn''t he? Says he''lle back for dinner, and everyone has to drop what they''re doing and wait for him. Anyone who didn''t know better would think he''s the father and you''re the son." That was Damian Boleyn talking, sitting across from Gabriel Boleyn. Damian was the eldest son of Carlton''ste brother. He rarely showed up at the old manor unless he needed money. Today, he had toe back because Carlton personally called to say there was something important to announce.


    That sarcastic remark made Gabriel''s face darken immediately.


    "Go find out where he is. It''s ridiculous of him to make the whole family wait for him!" Gabriel snapped at the servant, trying to maintain his authority in the family.


    Since Maximilian graduated, the Boleyn family''s power had fallen into his hands, leaving Gabriel, the vice chairman, without real authority.


    Next to Damian was his eldest son, Derek Boleyn. The Boleyn family members were all good-looking, especially the boys, who were quite handsome. However, Derek had a cunning look that made him seem unreliable. Since his father Damian had spoken, Derek had no reason not to follow.


    Derek twisted his newly acquired expensive watch and sneered at Desmond, "Desmond, I warn you. If Maximilian can kick me out of the Boleyn Group, he can kick you out too. Maximilian wants to monopolize the Boleyn Group. Don''t forget, yourst name is Boleyn, and his is Hamilton. My fate could be yours. Well, you and Gabriel might as well be invisible to Maximilian. The only one he respects is Grandpa. Don''t me my dad for being harsh. Maximilian doesn''t consider you family at all."


    This remark made everyone present cover their faces and snicker, their expressions varied.


    They were just the coteral branch of the Boleyn family. Although they lived under the Boleyn family''s halo, they didn''t feel the pressure Maximilian brought.


    But Gabriel and Desmond had to watch Maximilian''s mood in everything they did.


    It was truly frustrating.


    "Are you done talking? I''m not dead yet." Carlton''s cane hit the floor hard, interrupting Derek''s conversation.


    "Dad, don''t me Damian and Derek. Maximilian is indeed out of line. The whole family is waiting for him, what kind of behavior is that?" Gabriel dared not be presumptuous in front of Carlton and stammered in defense. Gabriel knew Damian was upset.


    A few days ago, Maximilian had unceremoniously removed Derek from his position as sales director without any reason.


    Even though they both had thest name Boleyn, they had to be manipted by a twenty-something Maximilian. No wonder Derek was furious.


    Suddenly, the old manor''s butler ran over and respectfully whispered to Carlton, "Sir, Maximilian has arrived."


    Soon, apanied by the sound of a wheelchair, Maximilian was pushed into the dining room by Felix, appearing before everyone.


    The previously whispering crowd immediately turned into ttering smiles.


    Even though Maximilian was sitting in a wheelchair, his natural noble aura made everyone else seem insignificant.


    Felix pushed Maximilian to the seat next to Carlton. Maximilian took the initiative to say, "Grandpa, sorry I''mte."


    Carlton immediately smiled warmly, "We''re family, it doesn''t matter."


    He then looked Maximilian up and down. After not seeing him for a few months, Maximilian looked much better, at least he was in good spirits.


    Maximilian''s health had always been a source of worry for Carlton, a constant reminder of the bitter feuds of the past generation that had left their mark on the young man.


    Unfortunately, because of Maximilian''s mother, he wasn''t close to the Boleyn family.


    As long as he was alive, Carlton was willing to maintain this superficial harmony.


    Unexpectedly, Gabriel spoke first, "If we''re really family, don''t be so ruthless. Derek was doing well in the sales department, and you just reced him. Now the sales department is leaderless and in chaos." Maximilian paused with the soup bowl in his hand but didn''t bother to look at Gabriel, "Ruthless?"


    He nced at Derek. "Compared to poisoning, I think I''m quite merciful."


    His eyes, like two bottomless pools, showed no emotion except for a cold glint.


    This nce made Derek''s back go cold.


    "Poisoning?" Carlton looked at Maximilian nervously, "What are you talking about?"


    He had long known that the younger generation in the family was envious of Maximilian''s current position, but he didn''t expect them to resort to fratricide. Hearing about poisoning made his old heart almost jump out. "It''s nothing, it''s been resolved. But if it happens again, Derek won''t be aplete Derek anymore." Maximilian''s first half of the sentence was tofort Carlton, and thetter half was directed at Gabriel.


    Without Gabriel''s help, how could Derek have sessfully poisoned him? Gabriel was using Derek to kill him.


    Derek didn''t expect Maximilian to threaten him in front of so many people. He turned pale and left the table, iming to feel unwell.


    "Such a big matter, but I didn''t know anything about it." Carlton looked at Gabriel and questioned sternly.


    Maximilian''s tone was indifferent, "Grandpa, the matter has been resolved. I''m here today to talk to you about Desmond''s marriage."


    Maximilian had his own ns, and Carlton had long since retired and didn''t interfere.


    After ring at Gabriel, Carlton''s heart stirred, "What''s the matter with Desmond''s marriage?"


    He had met Katniss, who was not only beautiful but also kind and thoughtful, really a perfect candidate for a granddaughter-inw. He was very satisfied.


    He had nned for them to get married after graduation.


    Maximilian took a sip of soup and said, "Desmond''s engagement to the Manners family will be changed to ra."


    His tone sounded more like a notification than a consultation.


    "No, absolutely not." Before Carlton could object, Gabriel was already jumping in anger, "ra''s just an adopted daughter. She''s got nothing to do with the Manners family''s shares. We want the Manners family''s biological daughter!" ra might seem favored, but she had nothing to do with the Manners family. Why marry her?


    Desmond was his son, and he had suffered enough being called an illegitimate child. How could he marry an adopted girl?


    Gabriel''s n was clear, but Maximilian''s eyes were cold as he looked at him, "So Desmond is marrying not Katniss, but the Manners family''s shares?"