Chapter: 87

“Kaitlin, I hear you've opened a jewelry studio. I happen to have a condo nearby. Think of it as a gift.”

Kaitlin's gaze flickered nervously. She was caught off guard by the swift shift of attention toward her. She mustered a courteous smile.

“Miguel, that's kind of you, but I can't take it. I don't lack a house."

Miguel regarded her intently, skepticism evident in his tone. “Is that so? I've heard you and Alan have been keeping separate residences Lately."

Miguel almost certainly knew of their divorce.

Beth's expression clouded with concern. "Living separately? What is this about? Kaitlin, didn't you promise you'd stand by Alan?"

Forced into a corner, Kaitlin emitted a nervous chuckle, her eyes darting to Alan, silently pleading for his support.

If only she had foreseen such discomfort, she might have excused herself under the guise of illness.

Alan intervened smoothly, his voice calm but firm. "Grandma, there's no truth to us living apart. Kaitlin has just been immersed in her career. Uncle Miguel might not have the most recent information; after all, he's only just returned. It's probably best he focuses on his recovery rather than the company's matters right now."

With that, Alan subtly undermined any notions Miguel might have had about intervening in the business.

However, Miguel remained unruffled, casually serving Beth some food.

"Indeed, I've been out of the loop for so long, I'm practically penniless and powerless. It makes me feel quite useless."

At his words, a heavy silence fell, only broken by Beth's distressed voice. “Miguel, you're still a part of this family. How can you speak so lowly of yourself?"

She turned her worried eyes toward Alan. "Did you hear that, Alan?"

Feeling the weight of his grandmother's expectations, Alan knew he had to make concessions. "Grandma, I understand. I'll see to it that Uncle Miguel is given opportunities to manage some business areas."

Beth's face softened, her voice filled with a nurturing warmth.

“That's the spirit, Alan. We're all family here. Miguel needs our support now more than ever."

Miguel responded with a disarming smile that seemed to melt his mother's worries away. Kaitlin observed the exchange with a skeptical eye, noting how well Miguel played his part.

Beth seemed oblivious to the undercurrents, her eyes glistening with tears as if ready to embrace a tender mother-son reunion.

Kaitlin shuddered inwardly at the display, silently promising herself to avoid such family events in the future.

Why maintain these pretenses when their conflicts were so evident?

Was such dysfunction typical in wealthy families?

The lunch dragged on uncomfortably, and Kaitlin found herself eating little.

Once Beth excused herself to rest-a daily habit that spared her from the family's underlying tensions—Kaitlin seized her chance to escape.