Waylen scanned the gathering with a cheerful grin.

“What's the occasion today? Why is everyone gathered here?"

Gently caressing Edwin's face, Waylen exchanged greetings with Zoey.

Zoey held a strong fondness for Waylen, and she needed to have a conversation with him, which made her incline towards him even more.

Taking a seat alongside Rena, Waylen's gaze fell upon his own father, Korbyn, who reciprocated the look.

Neither of them wished to be the one to play the bad guy.

Finally, with tears welling up, Juliette urged her husband softly, "Korbyn."

Unwilling to reveal vulnerability in front of Juliette, Korbyn casually sipped his tea and addressed Zoey with a smile, “Kids will be kids. Let's see what they have to say."

Zoey rose from her seat, resolute in her decision.

Rena's role in the situation was the most delicate. She then held Edwin's hand and whisked him away for some playful distraction.

With the child out of the picture, Zoey found herself in a better position to act.

In Zoey's presence, Mark acquiesced to her wishes.

In a stern tone, Zoey addressed her son, “Mark, the Fowler and Evans families are connected through marriage, and Cecilia is your junior. She used to address you as Uncle Mark... How could you treat her like this? Now that your child has grown up, we've only learnt of his existence. Is this how I taught you to behave since you were a child?"

With a face filled with shame, Mark replied, "I'm sorry, Mom."

Zoey waved her hand and said, “Your apology should be directed to their daughter. I shouldn't have to instruct you on what to do, should I?"

Mark hesitated for a moment.

Then, without hesitation, he softly knelt in front of Korbyn and Juliette.

Korbyn and Juliette were taken aback.

They hadn't expected Mark to be so direct.

Being a man of his stature, he rarely gave in. To see him kneeling down like this was an odd sight.

Korbyn wasn't unreasonable.

He knew his daughter well. If Cecilia didn't truly care for Mark, how could she endure the secrecy of giving birth to Edwin and raising him alone?