Neil’s knuckles whitened as his fingers dug into the wheelchair’s armrest, a deep frown cutting across his face.

“Grandma, you’re not thinking of leaving those things to Katelyn, are you? I won’t stand for it. Not a chance.”

Carol’s gaze remained steady. “They’re mine to keep, and I alone decide where they go. Don’t think for a second that I’ll be handing them over to you.”

Her words, cold and unyielding, silenced Neil’s protests. A dark scowl twisted Neil’s expression as he jerked the wheelchair forward.

“Why? I’m your grandson!”

Carol exhaled sharply, her eyes squeezing shut before turning away from him. Her gaze drifted to the window, where bare trees stood like skeletons against the fading daylight.

“Because of what you’ve done, Neil. You’ve left me no choice but to be disappointed in you. Now leave. I don’t want you here.”

Neil’s voice came out slow and bitter, each word dripping with resentment.

“Katelyn did this to me, Grandma. She crippled me, and instead of holding her accountable, you blame me. I’m the victim here, not her!”

Neil’s words came out slow and bitter, each one feeling like it was being painfully squeezed out through clenched teeth.

Neil had always known Carol preferred Katelyn, but he never imagined she’d choose her over her own flesh and blood. The source of th?s content is find~novel~net

Carol’s lips curled in a cold sneer, silencing his ions. “Don’t act innocent, Neil. You know what you did to her. Do you really think I’m blind to Katelyn’s character? Or to yours?”

“Grandma…”

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His words faltered, caught in his throat. Frustration etched deep lines into his face, but he couldn’t find the right words.

“Go.”

Carol’s finger jabbed toward the door, dismissing him without even a second glance.

Neil clenched his teeth, swallowing the bitterness that burned his tongue. There was nothing left for him to do but obey.

As he wheeled himself toward the exit, he couldn’t resist one final look over his shoulder.

“Grandma, you may favor her, but you must realize—I’m the one who carries the future of the Wheeler Group. No matter how much you give Katelyn, she’ll always be an outsider.”

Carol kept her eyes shut, not uttering a word. When Neil finally left, she let her body sink deeper into the sofa, a heavy weariness hanging over her.

She could already see it—the inevitable downfall of the Wheeler Group, unraveling under Neil’s misguided control.

And it was all Lise’s fault!

She couldn’t let it happen.

Meanwhile, Katelyn was already driving toward the mall. Even though she had no intention of attending the banquet, she wasn’t about to forget sending a gift for Carol.

Carol didn’t indulge in many hobbies, aside from her passion for collecting calligraphy and paintings. Her room was already overflowing with them.

In the end, Katelyn decided on something different: jade. Belle Mall, the largest shopping center in Granville, was a sprawling complex. It was organized across twenty floors, each offering different categories and zones for shoppers.

The first five floors were dedicated to luxury items, from high-end jewelry to exquisite jade pieces. Katelyn headed straight to the fourth floor.

As soon as she arrived, a salesperson greeted her with a warm smile.

“Welcome, ma’am. How can I help you today?”

Katelyn walked over to the jade display, her eyes drifting across the carefully arranged selection of fine jade pieces.

“I’m looking for a top-quality jade piece to gift someone older for her birthday. Any suggestions?”

The salesperson’s face brightened.

“Absolutely. We’ve got some stunning new designs you might want to check out.”

The salesperson eagerly displayed several jade pieces, arranging them carefully for Katelyn to inspect.

But none seemed to meet her high standards. Either the jade wasn’t clear enough, or the design lacked the elegance she was looking for.

She couldn’t hide her disappointment.

“Do you have something of higher quality? Money isn’t an issue.”

The salesperson raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You’re not pleased with this jade bracelet?”

She held up a bracelet, its smooth green surface catching the light. It had excellent transparency and a solid feel, about as thick as an adult’s finger.

“This is one of our finest pieces. If this doesn’t satisfy you, I’m not sure you’ll find anything better anywhere else.”

Katelyn took the bracelet, turning it over in her hands and studying it under the light. She inspected its color and craftsmanship closely. The bracelet gleamed with a soft, emerald glow, its smooth surface almost glass-like. The craftsmanship was clear—it was a beautiful piece.

Among the sparkling jewelry lined up in neat rows, this one was indeed special. It truly lived up to its reputation as the store’s prized possession.

A quick thought crossed Katelyn’s mind.

“I love the quality,” she said, her tone thoughtful, “but a bracelet isn’t quite what I’m looking for. Do you have anything like a Buddha statue?”

Carol’s jewelry collection already boasted plenty of bracelets and necklaces, each as elegant as the next.

The salesperson paused, looking slightly unsure. “We don’t have that particular style right now.”

Before Katelyn could respond, someone else reached out and snatched the bracelet from her hand.

“I’ll take this,” the person announced.

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