Real Heiress: Flash Marriage With Boyfriend's Uncle - Chapter 176

Chapter 176: A one-sided battle Chapter 176: A one-sided battle The next morning, Lucius dropped Layla off at her office before heading back home to visit his father.

As he approached the grand estate, his car glided to a smooth stop right at the mansion’s main entrance.

Stepping out, he straightened his suit and handed the keys to a waiting guard, who bowed respectfully before taking the vehicle away.

Lucius strode through the ornate double doors and made his way to the garden, where he knew his father preferred to spend his mornings.

He spotted Alekis strolling leisurely along the cobblestone path, his hands clasped behind his back, radiating a calm authority.

“Good morning, Dad,” Lucius called out as he approached.

Alekis paused mid-step, turning with a warm smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes.

“Good morning, son.” His voice was rich with affection as he opened his arms.

Lucius closed the distance between them and embraced his father.

Alekis patted his son’s back before gently pulling away.

“Why did you call me so suddenly, Dad?” Lucius asked with curiosity.

Alekis clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze drifting momentarily to the vibrant blooms surrounding them.

“Nothing urgent,” he replied, his voice calm yet deliberate.

“I just want you to consider moving back here, with your wife.” Lucius let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head slightly.

“Ah, you know that’s not possible, Dad.

We’ve talked about this years ago.” Alekis turned to face his son fully, his expression softening this time.

“I want to see my son under this roof every night before I go to bed.

Is that too much to ask?” Lucius chuckled lightly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“What’s going on, Dad?

You’re suddenly acting like a possessive father.” Alekis gave a small shrug, his eyes twinkling with a mix of humor and sincerity.

“Can’t an old man miss his son without raising suspicion?” “Well, you’re suddenly asking for it after all these years,” Lucius replied, scratching the back of his head.

“It’s not like I live far away.

We can see each other whenever we want.

Besides, I just got married.

I like having time alone with my wife,” he added with a warm smile.

Alekis returned the smile, pleased to see his son genuinely happy in his marriage.

“Fine,” he conceded.

“I won’t push you to move back here.

But I do want you to do one thing: clear the misunderstandings between you and Roderick,” he said firmly before resuming his stroll.

Lucius’s smile faded instantly.

His jaw tightened as he followed his father.

“That’s not going to happen, Dad.

I’ve already tried more than enough,” he replied, his voice carrying a weary sigh.

Alekis’s expression hardened this time.

“You two never really tried,” he countered.

“Do you think this old man is blind?

You never made an honest effort to help your nephew understand the truth about the past.

And Roderick?

He shuts me down the moment I bring it up.” Lucius looked away, his hands clenched at his sides.

“He won’t listen, Dad.

He made up his mind long ago, and I’ve lost the will to keep fighting a one-sided battle.

In his eyes, I’m the reason his father is no more.

I’m not going to ruin my mind because of him.” “You’re both stubborn, and that’s what keeps this rift alive.

But family is too important to let pride stand in the way.

As an elder, make an effort this time too,” Alekis suggested.

“Fine.

For one last time, I’ll talk to Roderick.

But if hurts me, then I’m not even considering anything ahead of this,” Lucius said to keep the heart of his father.

~~~~ Layla carefully reviewed the report, her eyes scanning every detail before she finally signed at the bottom, giving her approval for the project.

She handed the document to Aiden, who accepted it with a polite nod.

However, as he prepared to leave, Layla’s sharp gaze lingered on him.

“You seem a bit off today, Aiden.

Even Roger didn’t look well this morning.

Is everything okay?

Do you need some time off to rest?” she asked, her tone gentle but concerned.

Aiden hesitated briefly, then shook his head.

“I’m fine, Madam.

There’s no need to worry,” he replied, his voice steady but lacking its usual energy.

Layla wasn’t convinced.

“You know you can talk to me if something’s wrong,” she pressed.

“Did Lucius say something to you or Roger?” Aiden stiffened for a moment, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

“The boss didn’t say anything,” he answered, but his brief pause betrayed him.

Though she chose not to push further, her suspicion grew.

“Alright,” she said with a calm smile, masking her concern.

“I wonder what Lucius said to them.

Did the three of them have a fight?” Layla murmured to herself.

She resolved to get to the bottom of it, but first, she had another matter to address-her father’s approval for a project she intended to collaborate on with Roderick.

Grabbing the necessary file, she made her way to Darius’s study.

However, as she entered the room, she immediately noticed Orabela seated across from her father.

Layla’s eyes flicked between them, sensing that her arrival had interrupted a serious discussion.

“Am I disturbing something?” she asked cautiously, holding up the file as an excuse for her presence.

Darius cleared his throat, his expression unreadable.

“Not at all, Layla.

What brings you here?” he asked, gesturing for her to come closer.

“I need your approval on this project,” she replied, approaching the desk but keeping an eye on Orabela, who sat with an unusually composed demeanor.

“Shouldn’t you be working, Bella?

Or have you already quit from the work?” Layla asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

“Yes, I have given up.

Unlike you, I am not made to do such kind of work,” Orabela asserted, looking at her.

“Are you happy seeing me struggling?” she inquired.

Darius watched his both daughters argue and decided to intervene.

“It’s the office.

Try to maintain some decorum,” Darius reprimanded both of them.

“Unlike you, I don’t feel happy seeing others in pain.

I hoped you would learn and try to do better.

However, it appears you always wanted an easy way to succeed,” Layla affirmed.

“Yes.

I wanted an easy way.

So, what?” Orabela got annoyed and rose to her feet.

“Well, you will no longer see me in this office.

I’ll soon get married to a man who is richer than your husband!” She blurted out in anger and turned to leave.

“Orabela, if you are marrying someone because you are jealous of me, then I pity you,” Layla stated, meeting Orabela’s blazing gaze.

“Dad, please sign the document,” she said, looking at Darius.

Orabela clenched her fists and looked at her father.

‘Layla, how I wish you’ve never existed in this world.’