novelraw Chapter 416: Implying that Yun Ji himself is also disowned by the family
Chapter 416: Implying that Yun Ji himself is also disowned by the family
"How’s Beatrice Carter’s condition?" Ignatius Leclair asked.
"Not great. The prognosis is grim. Stone Leclair is investigating this matter personally. I’m worried he might have other motives when the time comes," Maximilian said in a low voice. The Leclair Family Head’s methods are unmatched, and it’s only because of Ignatius’s near-genius intellect that he hasn’t been crushed under his thumb all these years.
Ignatius narrowed his phoenix-shaped eyes and gently rubbed the rim of his coffee cup with his slender fingertips. Stone’s approach had grown increasingly aggressive over the years. He didn’t seem to care that Isaac might learn the truth one day, causing a father-and-son fallout. But then again, Ignatius himself had already severed ties with Stone, his father. At the thought of this, he gave a cold laugh.
"Just stay alert," Ignatius said, showing little interest in Beatrice’s situation. He once thought she was Delphine’s biological mother. Now that he knew she shared no blood ties with Delphine and was one of the culprits behind his mother’s death back then, ignoring her plight was as merciful as he was willing to be.
"Ignatius, Mr. and Mrs. Cloud have brought some of the family elders and stormed into Yunji’s hospital room," Maximilian reported hurriedly after receiving a call from Dongzi.
Ignatius’s expression turned icy as he said solemnly, "Let’s head to the hospital."
After Yunji’s car accident, members of his expedition team learned about the incident and rushed to Singapore. Among the team was Ken, a relatively new recruit in the past few years who stayed stationed in Singapore. He wasn’t even thirty but was undeniably a die-hard outdoor adventure enthusiast.
Ken arrived at the hospital early, carrying large bags of nutritional supplements. Upon seeing Delphine and learning that she was the captain’s daughter, his eyes lit up. Enthusiastically, he began narrating Yunji’s maritime adventures from the past few years with great flair.
Yunji smiled as Ken exaggerated his tales, while Delphine listened intently. But their moment was interrupted as Mr. and Mrs. Cloud stormed in with two elderly family members in tow.
"Ignatius instructed you to stall as much as possible; he’s on his way," Dongzi whispered urgently as he made his way to Delphine to report discreetly.
"Let them in," Delphine nodded, then offered Ken an apologetic smile and gestured to let the group enter.
The events of the past New Year had greatly matured Delphine. Where once she had been lonely and destitute—weathering the indifference and warmth of those around her—reuniting with her father and learning her mother’s fate had filled a familial void. It diminished her coldness and instilled a quiet composure.
Mr. Cloud had brought the Cloud family’s two oldest members: Seventh Granduncle and Fifth Great-Uncle, both in their seventies or eighties. After spending quite some time carefully inspecting Yunji, they finally recognized him.
Seventh Granduncle spoke first, his voice trembling: "Second one, back then you wanted to leave home over a woman and ended up making your father sick from anger. Now I hear you’re here to confront your brother?"
"Seventh Granduncle, I’m simply trying to understand the events of the past," Yunji responded respectfully as he stood.
"I know the story from back then. Your wife ran off with someone else, and the family kept it from you to prevent gossip. Why are you still stuck on that after all these years?" Seventh Granduncle frowned with a hint of disapproval.
"Your elder brother has no intention of harming you. If life out there has been hard for you, your brother will still provide for you if you return—he’ll even give you an easy job. Just speak to him properly. You’re family. Don’t cause such division, making outsiders laugh at us," Fifth Great-Uncle chimed in.
Yunji instantly fell silent. As a strikingly handsome middle-aged man, he couldn’t argue with these elders, but he also couldn’t let go of his sense of justice and lingering doubts. He could only remain quiet.
In the end, it had been too many years since he left home. The human heart is consistently tied to wealth and power. Mr. Cloud, as the Family Head, controlled the lives of both the direct and extended family members. Who among them would speak up for someone who had been gone for years and held no authority?
"Seventh Granduncle, Fifth Great-Uncle, this is my daughter Delphine," Yunji said, beckoning Delphine forward to change the subject.
Delphine stepped up and greeted them politely.
The Cloud family members exchanged glances. The two elders said nothing for a long while. Finally, Seventh Granduncle spoke bluntly: "Second one, it’s good to see your legacy continues; I’m happy for you. However, when you left home all those years ago and angered your father, you also swore to sever ties with the Cloud family. Two years after your departure, your name was removed from the family registry."
The implication was clear: not only could Delphine not be recognized as part of the Cloud family, but Yunji himself had been officially expelled from the lineage.