Adelyn thought for a moment before finally replying carefully, "Mr. Warren, it’s not about whether I want to save him or not."

Dylan heard her and turned to look at her more intently.

Even though he hadn’t asked her to elaborate, Adelyn could read the unspoken prompt behind his gaze.

Turning fully toward him, she explained slowly,

"What I mean is ... while parenting someone like him, we should follow the rule of good cop, bad cop."

"Parenting?" Dylan repeated, and Adelyn’s breath almost hitched.

She knew she was getting herself involved far more than she should ... but at this point, she didn’t have much of a choice.

So, she nodded and accepted it.

"Yes, parenting," she said, flicking a glance toward Karl. "Even if he has grown into an adult, he’s still very much a child at heart. So if we want to guide him properly, we can’t only be harsh. If we are, he’ll only become more rebellious and unruly."

As she spoke, her hand moved almost unconsciously, holding onto Dylan’s.

"Mr. Warren," she continued softly, "your decision to send him to the borders to learn discipline might be well thought out ... but it could also turn out to be too extreme if he doesn’t accept it well. Why not try a gentler approach first?"

Dylan’s gaze dropped to their joined hands.

Adelyn noticed it —and the moment she realized what she had done, she instinctively tried to pull her hand back.

However—

Before she could, Dylan tightened his hold slightly and lifted his gaze to meet hers again.

She thought he would comment on it.

But instead, he simply asked,

"You think you can handle him?"

Adelyn paused.

Handling someone like Karl wouldn’t be easy ... but she didn’t think it was impossible either.

So she nodded.

"I can ... as long as you back me up."

Dylan looked at her for a moment, and then the corner of his lips lifted subtly.

"You will always have me on your side."

Adelyn felt something shift at his words —but she didn’t dwell on it.

"Then it won’t be that difficult," she replied.

Meanwhile, Karl, who couldn’t hear their conversation clearly, stood off to the side, practically holding his breath.

When he saw both of them finally turning toward him, his entire body tensed in anticipation.

"I can keep you from going to the borders," Adelyn said at last.

Karl’s expression changed instantly. His eyes lit up as hope and gratitude flicked in them.

"Sister-in-law, I knew you could do it. You’re—"

Before he could continue, Adelyn raised her hand to stop him.

"Don’t rush," she said calmly. "I said I can. I didn’t say I will."

Karl froze.

His expression clearly showed he didn’t understand her.

Seeing that, Adelyn continued —

"If you want me to keep you here, and not send you off to borders, you’ll have to promise that you’ll genuinely change."

Karl nodded immediately to her.

"I agree!! I can do that!"

Adelyn pressed her lips slightly.

"Yes, you can agree to it today and go back to your old habits tomorrow."

Karl shook his head vigorously.

"No, sister-in-law, I won’t! I really won’t!"

"And why should I believe that?" she asked without hesitation.

Karl faltered.

He had no real answer to that.

In the end, he could only raise three fingers and swear earnestly,

"Sister-in-law, I promise you —if you stop me from going to the borders today, I will definitely turn over a new leaf."

Adelyn wouldn’t have agreed so easily under normal circumstances.

But right now ... she didn’t have much room to maneuver.

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly before speaking again,

"Fine. I’ll give you a chance. But—"

She paused and glanced at Dylan before continuing,

"If even for a second you show signs of going back to your old ways, and I catch you doing it ... I’ll step back and let your brother deal with you."

Her gaze returned to Karl, calm but firm.

"And then ... even if he decides to send you to the underworld itself for training, I won’t interfere."

Karl swallowed hard —but he nodded quickly.

"Don’t worry, sister-in-law. From now on, I’ll stay loyal and obedient. I won’t even let the Devil tempt me away."

Adelyn didn’t respond to that dramatic declaration.

Karl then turned eagerly toward his brother.

"So, brother ... does that mean I don’t have to pack my things anymore? You’re not sending me to the borders?"

Dylan glanced at him briefly and said calmly,

"Your sister-in-law can override my decisions. I can’t do the same."

Adelyn blinked and turned to look at him.

There was no hint of sarcasm in his tone.

He looked completely serious.

Did he ... actually mean that?

Before she could process it further, Karl’s voice rang out again,

"I knew it! My sister-in-law holds ultimate power!"

Adelyn pressed her lips together.

She already knew she might regret saving him.

But she hadn’t expected that regret to come this quickly.

Maybe she should have just let Dylan send him away.

At least then—

She wouldn’t have to deal with his nonstop nonsense.

"Did you get hurt badly just now?" she asked, her tone slightly forced.

Karl immediately looked down at his stomach.

His eyes welled up with tears as he looked back at her.

"Sister-in-law ... are you worried about me?" he asked emotionally. "I knew it! You love me the most! How could you not? After Eira, I’m the most adorable one in this family. You were bound to fall for me."

Adelyn was rendered speechless once again.

She pinched the space between her brows.

Before she could respond—

A soft pair of arms wrapped tightly around her.

When she opened her eyes, she saw—

Eira.

This time, her hug was firmer, more possessive.

"Mama said she loves me the most."

Her brows were furrowed, and this time, she looked even more upset than before.

How could she not be?

She had just found her mother. She had only just gotten her back —and now, there were people trying to take her away, trying to steal her love.

No.

Her Mama belonged to her.

Only to her.

She wouldn’t share her with anyone.

Not at all.