Turning towards Theodore, Darian implored, "Theodore, we share blood and you could not deny our bond! Please tell your grandfather that Aimee and I truly loved each other."

“Get away from us! You're not fit to speak her name!" Aldus violently rejected Darian, his voice dripping with anger.

“My daughter will no longer be connected to the disgraceful Anderson family. I'm taking her to rest in the Fredrick family cemetery. Also, Theodore will sever all ties with the Anderson family. Henceforth, he will be known as Holden Fredrick, and you shall be a stranger to him!"

“No, Mr. Fredrick, you must hear me out. It's all a grand misunderstanding.“ Darian's desperation grew, and his regret became a heavy burden. He felt like a caricature of a man caught in a dramatic farce.

“Silence! I have no desire to hear your explanations." Propped up by Theodore, Aldus stood tall, his gaze sternly fixed on the man begging at his feet.

“Rest easy; today you will go unscathed. But the day of reckoning will come. Just wait and see!"

Helpless, Darian watched them depart. He had never imagined the seemingly vulnerable Aimee to be the heir of the prestigious Fredrick family.

He remained in the torrential rain, his face ashen and consumed by regret. Everything he had would be gone. He was doomed.

The rain intensified, and Theodore guided Aldus away, leaving only after ensuring Aimee’s remains were properly cared for.

Back home, Ariana sat by the window, a bundle of nerves, worried sick about Theodore.

The relentless rain showed no signs of abating.

After what felt Like an eternity, Ariana finally caught sight of a familiar car in the distance, and a wave of relief washed over her.

The apartment didn*t have underground parking, so Theodore had to walk a short distance in the pouring rain. Despite carrying an umbrella, he was drenched.

Just as Theodore was about to knock on the door, Ariana pulled it open, ushered him inside, handed him a dry towel, and pointed to fresh clothes set aside.

"Finally, you're back. Go take a hot shower and get dry. We can't have you catching a cold.”

Theodore glanced at the neatly folded clothes on the sofa and made a wry joke.

"I half-expected you to have discarded all my belongings."

Ariana, who was about to towel-dry his hair, snorted and tossed the towel onto his head.

“Stop playing the victim. You've been over while I was gone; didn't you notice your things were untouched?"

Caught red-handed, Theodore blushed slightly.