Abandoned Heir Reborn: I'll Shine Without You의 모든 챕터: 챕터 11 - 챕터 20

Ruth patted Christian on the shoulder and said, "Chris, watch your tone."Then, she turned to George and Jennifer. "It's inappropriate to talk about these personal matters out on the street. I'll arrange a private room for you so you can sit down and have a proper conversation."George had already been driven to the brink by Christian's sharp tongue. If it weren't for the setting, he would've already taken a swing at him.As for Jennifer, her face had gone from being pale to blotchy with anger after being completely shut down by Christian. She'd genuinely wanted to bring him back into the family, and she sincerely wanted to make it up to him once he returned. But after she got blasted by him like that, her expression turned ugly.She was a high-society lady from a prestigious family with military merit. Ever since she was little, everyone had treated her like a princess; no one had ever spoken a harsh word to her. Yet on that day, she'd been cursed out by a 15-year-old—her own biol

Christian said coolly, "My future is my own business; you don't have to get your panties in a bunch over it. I'll walk my own path. It's what I've done since I was a kid, anyway. As for whether you'd hurt me… that's very much up for debate."He didn't back down an inch, meeting George's argument head-on."What the hell are you talking about? What do you take us for, monsters? Is the Ashwood family some kind of lion's den to you?" George couldn't keep a lid on his temper again."By the way, you guys have an adopted son, right? Let's say, hypothetically, that I did go home with you guys. What happens to him then?" Christian asked, clearly curious to know the answer."Even though Vic is adopted, he's still our son. Once you come home, you'll need to accommodate him a little. I'm worried he'll overthink things," Jennifer replied without thinking.That instinctive answer made Christian even more certain of what he already knew. Even if George and Jennifer did feel guilty toward him, de

Ruth watched Christian's figure disappear into the distance and could only shake her head helplessly. Even if she wanted to help, there was only so much she could do. Her husband might be a regiment commander, but at the end of the day, he was just a lieutenant colonel.Once he retired from the army and switched to a civilian job, he'd land some mid-level government post at best. His influence locally wasn't that great. He couldn't very well go back to the military and pull strings just for Christian.When Christian returned to the kitchen, his expression was dark and brooding again. Seeing this, Roger immediately knew the conversation with George and Jennifer hadn't gone well.He slung an arm around Christian's shoulders and said, "Don't worry about it, Chris. Worst case, we just switch to another city. I'll go with you."Christian could only give him a bitter smile. If he didn't have to think about school, everything would be so much easier. But he still had to study—dropping out

Roger's words jolted Christian's mind into clarity. He'd never even considered this angle before because he'd been stuck in a mental rut. His mind had been completely consumed with thoughts of dealing with the Ashwood family, and he'd ended up neglecting everything else.Thanks to Roger's reminder, he finally remembered that Imelda had come together with George and Jennifer yesterday. He'd noticed the way she and Jennifer exchanged glances, and he'd even asked Imelda about it afterward.She'd claimed she didn't know them, but her slightly flustered tone had clearly given away that something was off. Then on this day, she'd agreed to have his legal custody transferred without even saying a word to him.That meant this whole thing was anything but simple. There had to be something going on behind the scenes. Imelda and Jennifer definitely knew something; even his disappearance as a child probably wasn't as straightforward as he'd always believed.Christian's thoughts spiraled outward

Imelda instinctively asked, "What did they say?"Christian said coolly, "They said they were afraid their adopted son would overthink things once I went home with them, so I should accommodate him more. Listen to that—does that sound like something real parents would say?"I'm the one who's suffered all these years, yet I'm also the one who has to give in to the adopted son they've spoiled rotten since he was a kid. Don't you think that's ridiculous?""They really said that?" Imelda asked anxiously."Every word.""T-That shouldn't be the case…" She fell into deep doubt.Seeing an opening, Christian pressed on. "That's why I'm starting to question their real reason for wanting me back. What if—just saying what if—someone in their family is sick, and it turns out my genes are a perfect match? Maybe they just need spare parts from me.""That's impossible. She might have been spoiled growing up, but she's got a good heart," Imelda blurted out reflexively. The moment the words left h