Watching Lisa leading her precious children approaching, Aiden wore a smiling countenance on the surface, yet inwardly, he was filled with exasperation.

What abysmal luck!

The three, who had been chatting merrily, upon catching sight of Aiden approaching, immediately, in unison, assumed glum expressions.

The atmosphere chilled instantaneously.

"Greetings, young master, young miss, and madam," Aiden proffered a greeting with an affable smile.

In matters of outward demeanor, he always left no room for others to find fault.

Ordinarily, he ought to address them as "mother," "younger brother," and "younger sister." However, Lisa and her children rebuffed Aiden from using such appellations.

The reason was straightforward: they deemed this illegitimate son unworthy and even felt ashamed of him.

What they were unaware of was that Aiden held the same sentiment.

He was even less inclined to have any association with this family.

In this regard, both parties mutually disdained each other, in a kind of two - way aversion.

Merely, Aiden concealed his feelings, while Lisa and her offspring flaunted their disdain openly.

"What are you doing here?" Lisa, with hands on her hips and a frown, adopted an interrogatory air.

She harbored not a shred of affection for this illegitimate son. At times, he was even a thorn in her heart.

"I've come to bid farewell to Lord Amos, madam," Aiden replied.

Bid farewell?

A look of bewilderment crossed Lisa's face.

"I intend to pursue my studies in another city," Aiden provided an explanation in a timely manner.

Upon hearing this, Lisa's fierce and cold visage melted into one of elation in an instant.

Finally, this lad is leaving!

Given Lisa's status and temperament, the sight of this illegitimate child born from her husband's indiscretion irked her. Now that he was choosing to depart, she couldn't be more delighted.

Despite being the later - comer in the romantic sequence, this young lady of noble birth lacked the self - awareness of that fact.

The way she unabashedly displayed her joy made Aiden sneer inwardly.

This nominal mother of his was petulant, hot - tempered, bereft of real ability, yet full of petty stratagems.

She and his father were indeed a well - matched pair.

"Going to another place? You're finally showing some sense. With your lackluster abilities, there's no necessity for you to remain in the family," Arthur, the silver - haired youth, sneered with undisguised derision.

"Indeed, I can't hold a candle to you, young master. You passed the Martial Master test at such a tender age. You're truly a paragon among the younger generation in the family," Aiden said, emphasizing the words "Martial Master."

Yes, indeed.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Complimentary words cost nothing. If Arthur desired more, Aiden had no qualms about fabricating additional ones.

Arthur, unable to discern sincere words from flattery, was rather pleased with this bout of flattery.

Influenced by his mother, he harbored intense animosity towards this half - brother.

Yet, every time he was in a foul mood and intended to pick a quarrel, this black - haired youth, two years his senior, would placate him with a few flattering words, and his inclination to cause trouble would dissipate.

"Hey! Are you blind? You stepped on my dress!"

Just as they were about to pass each other, a voice laced with loathing resounded.

Upon seeing the gloomy and scornful smile on Eva's face, Aiden felt a chill in his heart, yet he maintained an apologetic smile and said, "Apologies, miss. I'll clean it for you."

As he was about to bend down, Eva promptly lifted her dress and, with a look of revulsion, said, "Don't touch me with your filthy hands. Scram!"

The young lady even ascended two steps to increase the distance.

Facing such deeply insulting words, Aiden betrayed no sign of discontent. Instead, he scurried away, feigning trepidation.

"Come along, children. Let's go. The four of us have an important banquet to attend at noon," Lisa hummed a tune and led the way forward, her mood exceedingly buoyant.

Arthur didn't particularly care. Although he and that illegitimate brother resided in the same castle, it was quite normal for them not to encounter each other even once a year.

Their growth environments from childhood were worlds apart, and they had no real points of intersection.

However, Eva's expression was rather solemn, as if she were in deep thought.

Noticing his sister's unusual state, Arthur remarked, "It was just a step on the dress. It doesn't seem dirty to me. If you really mind, we can have the servants clean it. There's no need to be angry with someone like him. Besides, he's leaving soon."

"You imbecile," Eva shot Arthur a sidelong glance, then turned around and entered her room, closing the door behind her.

"You..."

Arthur's face flushed scarlet. His sister was not only petulant but also had a venomous tongue.

She only tempered her behavior in the presence of their grandmother.

In the room, Eva's expression remained dark and fluctuating.

Moments ago, that black - haired youth hadn't stepped on her dress at all.

She had merely been seeking trouble.

If he had contested and claimed not to have stepped on it, she had numerous means to make him suffer and feel humiliated.

But she hadn't anticipated that this fellow would readily take the blame for something he hadn't done.

"Does that Aiden truly have no temper?"

Recalling his usual obsequious and humble demeanor, Eva's mind inexplicably fell into a reverie.

Was it timidity and weakness, or...

"Ha ha! What am I thinking?"

Eva slapped her head, attempting to dispel those random thoughts from her mind.

That fellow was a complete failure in terms of the original spirit, a negligible being in the family with no resources, meek and submissive. What else could he do but be humble?

The disparity in their apparent strength was as vast as a chasm. She must have been out of her mind to be speculating about that guy's thoughts.

Eva scoffed. She must be insane.

......

"For someone so young, she's rather malicious," Aiden sneered disdainfully as he recollected the recent incident in the corridor.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, he raised his head. Ahead, a tall female Martial Master, clad in armor and brandishing a sword, was approaching him.

Marcia, forty - six years old, a five - star Martial Master, was Lola's loyal personal guard captain and one of the private guard instructors of the Wilson family.

The strength levels of Mages and Martial Masters were ranked from one - star to seven - star, ascending in order.

As a Martial Master, this guard captain was quite formidable. She was the one who had personally tutored Arthur in martial arts.

"Come with me. The head of the family wishes to see you," Marcia stated her purpose concisely upon reaching him, then turned around to lead the way. Aiden followed in silence.

Aiden wasn't overly astonished by Marcia's arrival.

His grandfather had mentioned yesterday that he intended to inform Lola of his departure in advance, and Aiden had concurred.

However, Aiden hadn't expected that his grandmother would take the initiative to send a trusted confidant to summon him.

Lola Wilson, that grandmother, was perhaps the only person in the family whom Aiden held in some awe.

She was capable, resourceful, and ruthless.

Back then, Lola married his grandfather Jesvin not out of love. Her modus operandi was to split the family and then annex the assets.

Lola had two brothers. After Lola's marriage, she took some assets as her dowry. With these assets, she gradually revived and took over the endangered Charles family.

Her two brothers, in the meantime, engaged in a nearly decade - long, life - and - death struggle over the Wilson family's inheritance.

But no one had foreseen that when the two were locked in a fierce battle and both were exhausted, Lola made her move.

She had resuscitated the Charles family, allowed it to recuperate for years, and then, seizing the opportunity when the two "tigers" were fatigued from their fight, she swallowed everything up with overwhelming force.

She remained silent until the opportune moment, and when she acted, she made a stunning impact.