With Rose's arrival, the atmosphere inside the living room became suffocating.
Every side conversation ceased, and every gaze instinctively shifted toward the woman standing at the entrance.
"Am I not speaking to someone?" Her calm voice wasn't loud. Yet it carried enough authority that no one dared answer immediately.
Her eyes swept across the mess—the shattered plates, the overturned table, the food scattered across the floor, and Merak clutching his swollen cheek.
Jul stood quietly several steps away.
Then... they settled upon Krone.
Krone stiffened, her former composure shattered.
"G-Grandmother..."
"What happened?"
Seeing the opportunity, she hurriedly stepped forward.
"Grandmother, it was Jul." She pointed toward him. "Merak accidentally spilled some food on him, but Cousin Jul suddenly lost control and struck him."
Rose remained silent.
Her gaze shifted toward Merak, then toward the smear of food still staining Jul's hospital clothes.
She spoke only one sentence.
"Jul. Explain."
The room became deathly still.
Everyone waited. This was his welcome party, and his first incident at the same time. How he responded was going to be a basis to judge him.
Jul calmly met her gaze.
Then...
"No."
The single word stunned the room.
Rose's expression remained unchanged.
"You refuse?"
"I have no interest in defending myself." His voice remained level.
"If you wish to judge me, then do so."
Her expression revealed neither anger nor surprise at his response.
Another silence descended, one that tightened Jada's heart. This brother of hers was simply too daring.
Katelyn unconsciously clasped both hands together. Even Vincent's eyes narrowed slightly.
Rose looked at Jul for several long seconds, then she turned toward Krone.
"Do you believe I am blind?"
Krone froze.
"G-Grandmother?"
"You think I didn't see what happened?" Her voice became colder.
"Or perhaps..." She paused. "...you think the Mercer residence has no cameras."
The room fell silent once more.
Krone's face instantly lost all color.
"An accident?"
Her sharp gaze landed on Merak.
Merak lowered his head. Cold sweat trickled down his back.
"I... I..."
"You disobeyed my order."
Neither of them dared breathe.
"I ordered this family to welcome him. Instead... you chose to test him."
Nobody spoke back. Not Duke. Not even Eddard.
Rose slowly looked toward Jul again.
"I did not give anyone permission to provoke you."
Then she added, "Neither do I permit violence inside my home."
Jul simply nodded once.
Rose watched him for another brief moment before speaking.
"This incident ends here." Her tone left no room for discussion.
"No one will speak of it again."
She looked around the room. "Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes, Grandmother."
The responses came almost simultaneously.
"Good."
She turned toward the servants.
"Clean this."
Immediately, dozens of servants hurried into motion.
The broken tray table disappeared, the shattered plates were removed. Finally, medical staff rushed over and carefully helped Merak to his feet before escorting him away.
Within minutes, the once-chaotic living room looked almost untouched.
Only the lingering silence remained.
Rose looked toward Jul.
"You may leave."
He gave a slight nod and without another word, turned and walked toward the exit, leaving his wheelchair behind.
Jada hurried after him, pushing his wheelchair alongside.
Katelyn followed soon after.
Lia and Malik exchanged nervous glances before quietly trailing behind.
Just like that, the welcome party had ended abruptly before an hour passed.
Once the doors closed...
Rose finally addressed those remaining.
"The reason I asked all of you to remain is because..."
The family returned their attention to her.
"Soon... the collateral members and the rest of the Mercer family will arrive." She paused. "There will be an important announcement."
Several gazes instinctively drifted toward Eddard Junior.
No one spoke. Yet everyone understood what that announcement might concern.
….
Jul slowly walked through the quiet corridor.
The massive doors behind him closed with a dull thud, a deep frown resting upon his face. As he approached a nearby servant, he spoke quietly.
"Take me outside."
The servant met his eyes, and his face immediately turned pale.
"Y-Yes, Master Jul."
He hurriedly led the way through another corridor, careful to keep several steps ahead.
Eventually, they arrived at the balcony of the mansion's western wing. Beyond the stone railing stretched an enormous garden. Rows of colorful flowers swayed beneath the afternoon breeze.
A winding stone path crossed a small lake before reaching a lonely gazebo resting at its center.
Without waiting for further instruction, the servant bowed deeply before retreating almost as quickly as he had arrived.
Cool wind brushed against his face as he rested both hands upon the railing.
He remained there in silence.
Who would have imagined that a random fishing trip would save his life? Who would have imagined that he would awaken to discover he belonged to one of the wealthiest families in the world? Or who would have imagined that his welcome home would end abruptly with him striking his own cousin?
A bitter smile appeared. "I knew rich people had problems... but they're just as foolish."
His thoughts wandered.
He had met powerful families before, with different names, cultures, and from different regions. Yet they all seemed to produce people like Krone and Merak.
People born into privilege who mistook it for strength.
He exhaled slowly. "...Still. I shouldn't have reacted that way."
Not because Merak didn't deserve it. He certainly did but it didn't accomplish anything.
Instead, it now complicated everything.
Vincent now had something to report, Jamie would undoubtedly begin suspecting him, Duke and his sons would never let today's humiliation pass.
And somewhere, the person responsible for Jul Mercer's kidnapping might still be watching.
He clicked his tongue. "One impulsive fool... and my plans are already in pieces."
Silence returned.
After a long while, he sighed once more. "I need to get this anger under control."
His eyes drifted toward the distant lake.
"I've lived that life already. Even though its end was built on a lie, if I'm going to live as Jul Mercer... then I need to become someone different."
His expression softened ever so slightly.
Then, a gentle voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Jul..." He turned slightly.
"You are here."