Chapter 7 A Major Argument

• "What do you know, kid? That's enough."
• Quinton felt a bit embarrassed by the comment, so he began to sing praises of Connor. "I truly admire Connor. He's educated, capable, and successful. He's climbed the ranks to become a high official, with a future that seems boundless."
• "Oh, speaking of Connor, he's due back any moment now!"
• As they spoke, Timothy was already stepping into the hall.
• His arrival caught the younger folks off guard, leaving them speechless.
• "Timmy, you're back! I've missed you so much!" Margot hesitated briefly, then, like a bird taking flight, she flung herself into Timothy's arms.
• Unlike others, Margot genuinely cherished Timothy, as he had always shown her kindness. Even some of Timothy's former comrades had treated her like a little sister.
• "It's been years. Look at you, all grown up!" Timothy affectionately tousled Margot's hair. "You're in college now, aren't you?"
• "Yes!" Margot nodded eagerly. "I'm a freshman, studying economics and management. I hope to follow in Aria and Lilian's footsteps!"
• A shadow of sorrow crossed Timothy's face at the mention of Aria.
• "That's wonderful. You must give it your all!" Timothy managed a smile, his eyes warm as he looked at her.
• Margot's excited voice drew the attention of the elders from the inner hall, who soon emerged to find Timothy.
• "Timothy, how dare you show your face here?" It was Hector, Timothy's uncle, who spoke first. His earlier embarrassment forgotten, he pointed at Timothy with renewed arrogance, although his voice softened slightly upon seeing him.
• "Timothy, you are no longer part of the Lavette Family. Who gave you permission to come in?" Hector's wife, Kate, chimed in.
• "Hector, Kate, what is this behavior?" Timothy's other uncle, Henry, couldn't stand the confrontation and cut in.
• "Henry, it seems you've forgotten the past. This traitor brought nothing but trouble to the Lavettes!" Hector hissed through clenched teeth, still seething.
• "Always dredging up the past. Was what we did back then even justifiable? When Hunter and his family faced their crisis, did we merely stand by?" Henry countered. "We can't change what happened, but why cling to it?"
• "It's not so simple to forgive. He's the Lavettes' disgrace!" Kate persisted. "If not for him, would our family have faced such repression? Without that scandal, the Lavettes would have been among the elite long ago."
• Their words were laced with blame, focused solely on the family's interests, with not a hint of remorse for past actions.
• "Henry, Sara, how have you been these years? Please, take care, and don't overexert yourselves," Timothy greeted, bypassing the others and addressing Henry's family directly, showing them the respect he withheld from the rest.
• "Timothy, it's a relief to see you back!" Henry greeted him with a warm smile.
• His wife, Sara Rogers, approached Timothy, tears brimming in her eyes. She took his hand and caressed his cheek gently, her voice breaking as she spoke, "My child, you've endured so much!"
• Her words were choked with emotion.
• "Don't worry. I did not suffer!" Timothy reassured, shaking his head with a gentle smile.
• "Henry and Sara, seeing you here, are you really going to let this criminal stay with the Lavettes? Absolutely not! We won't allow it, Dad won't agree, and Grandpa is too old for such shocks!" Hubert interjected sharply.
• "Hubert, must you be so extreme?" Henry's voice was tinged with disappointment, a deep disapproval evident as he looked at his brother.
• "Who's being extreme? The Lavette Family was thriving until this calamity struck. Isn't he the extreme one?" Hubert retorted.
• "Enough!" Sara's patience snapped. She glared at Hector and Hubert, her voice rising in anger, "When Aria was in trouble, you looked the other way. When Hunter and his wife needed us, you stood by, indifferent. Are you really his brothers? How can you be so heartless?"
• Several relatives scoffed, dismissing Sara's accusations with cold snorts.
• "Hector, Hubert, have you ever reflected on these past years at all?"
• "Shut up!" Just then, a commanding voice echoed from the inner hall.
• Instantly, the squabbling ceased, and all eyes turned toward the source.
• Timothy turned as well.
• It was his grandfather, Robert Lavette, the patriarch of the Lavette Family.
• Despite the overcast skies, Robert's stern face and tightly knitted brows were unmistakable.
• Even Hector and the others felt a sudden, unspoken pressure.
• "Dad!"
• "Dad!"
• "Grandpa…"
• Voices from the outer hall greeted Robert.
• Robert's gaze, sharp as a blade, fixed on Timothy. "Timothy, you're back?"
• "Yes!" Timothy's reply was cool, his demeanor detached as if the 'grandfather' before him was merely a stranger.
• Henry observed this exchange with unease. It was well-known that Robert had never favored Timothy. Still, it was Kevin who had shown warmth toward Timothy, often shielding him from Robert's disdain over the years.