Convinced by the evidence, Axton's look towards Scarlet became frosty. "Scarlet, how could you resort to this? You're proving to be a real letdown!"

Scarlet's hands tightened into fists, her complexion ghostly.

Next to her, Cade was just as taken aback, having been in the dark about these developments.

He found himself momentarily speechless.

Axton said firmly, "You're excused from dinner! Return to your room and ponder over what you've done."

Scarlet's complexion whitened further, and she shook her head in distress. "Grandfather, please hear me out. I had my reasons! It's their fault that I've become a joke among our peers. If I don't do something to get back at them, I'll sink into depression!"

Axton's stare hardened. "Are you still trying to justify your actions at this point? If you want to be disowned by the Fernandez family, then go ahead and defy me if you must!"

"Grandfather!" Scarlet attempted to speak further, yet Axton dismissed her with a wave of his hand.

Standing, he said, "Sheldon, come here." Releasing Brea's hand, Sheldon ambled towards Axton.

Axton looked at him with a tender smile. "Honestly, when I first met Sheldon, I instantly felt he was one of us. My instincts were clearly right."

He was clearly proud of his discernment.

"Exactly, Dad, your perceptiveness seems to have passed down to me. I felt an immediate connection with Sheldon, knowing he was family," Barnes chimed in, drawing laughter from Axton.

He then turned to Generis and his family. "Please excuse our family's theatrics. Let's proceed with the meal."

Generis and his family, having been bystanders to the exchange, looked on with confusion.

Sloane stepped up, linking her arm with Tilda's, and asked with a playful tone, "Tilda, I'm curious about the misunderstanding between you and Lyndon. Why didn't you explain to him that Sheldon is his son?"

Tilda glanced at Sloane, uncertain how to explain what had happened between her and Lyndon.

Before she could respond, Sloane's mother quickly jumped in, "Sloane, don't be so rude!"

Sloane just pouted at her mother playfully, then turned back to Tilda with a bright, mischievous smile. "Tilda, when we're alone, you have to spill all the juicy details. I heard you're a famous screenwriter—and I just know you've got stories!"

Her lively, outgoing energy was infectious, and Tilda found herself warming up to Sloane instantly.

"You are such a lovely girl," Tilda smiled.

Sloane giggled. "I feel at ease with you, and that's why I want to learn more about you. Actually, my mom thinks I am a bit too shy in social situations."

Sloane's mother chimed in, "Don't listen to her, Tilda. If you don't feel comfortable sharing, just say no."

Sloane stuck out her tongue in mock defiance, eyes twinkling.

Watching the affectionate banter between mother and daughter, Tilda couldn't help but Laugh. The mood was light, something she hadn't felt in days.