REBORN: MEET MY BROTHERS-Chapter 49: THE FEUD

It was already 4:56 pm when Liam’s sleek car pulled up outside the Whitlock’s estate. Knowing too well how their families rarely saw eye to eye, he’d dropped Ava at the front of the estate without bothering to go in or drive her inside the mansion. Hell, he didn’t give a fuck about the Whitlocks. He only wanted Ava to be safe.

Ava was still grateful for the lift, and thanked him before leaving. The moment she stepped into the building, she could already tell she was walking into a problem Sasha had cooked up from what happened at the fair.

She sighed nonchalantly as she stepped into the living room, only to find every member of her family there, including William who rarely involved himself in whatever happened.

Sure enough, as soon as they noticed Ava, all six pairs of eyes were locked on her, even as she strolled to where William sat with a newspaper in his hands. Ava wondered what Sasha must have said to them, but she brushed off the thought. It was too obvious for her to dwell on it.

The moment William noticed Ava’s presence, he looked away from the paper.

"Grandfather," Ava greeted with a small smile.

William returned her smile, setting his newspaper aside. "You’re finally back," he said softly, "How did it go?"

When Ava heard Matilda scoff, her eyes naturally went to her before she turned back to William. "It went well, Grandfather."

"Went well?" Matilda scowled. "How could it have gone well when Sasha was thrown out of the building on Liam Moore’s orders?"

Ava raised an eyebrow but didn’t react.

Matilda turned to her husband. "Gaulin, are you sure this... this disgrace is even our child? I refuse to believe I gave birth to someone so shameless," she exhaled sharply as she tried to control her trembling voice from rage. "A whore! That’s what she is! Parading herself in front of the Moore brothers like some cheap—"

"That’s enough, Matilda," William interrupted.

Ava didn’t flinch. This was something she looked forward to, especially after she saw the little smile that grazed Sasha’s lips the moment she walked in.

"No, Father," Gaulin chimed in, his gaze sternly fixed on Ava. "Matilda’s right. We can tolerate many things from Ava, but not this. You know what the Moore brothers have done to this family."

Ava sighed nonchalantly. "I was only offered a ride, Grandfather. How is that a crime?"

"Shut up, Ava!" Noah jumped in. "You were seen leaving with Liam Moore at the building, the same Liam who humiliated Sasha today. And I know he would never have treated Sasha that way if not for you."

Caspian sneered from the corner. "How can someone engaged to Maximus Quinn still behave this way? What kind of fiancée are you, Ava? You are really shameless!"

"Forget about loyalty to the Whitlocks. Forget about your engagement. How can you have so little dignity, Ava? Of all the men in the world, you choose them? The Moores? After everything they’ve done to us? Are you trying to spite us? Is this it?" Jerome asked bitterly.

Caspian shook his head. "I said it from the beginning. We never should have allowed her into this house. She doesn’t belong here. Maybe it’s time we corrected that mistake and sent her packing."

Before Ava could respond, William said coldly, "Enough of all of this!" Caspian flinched, but he regained his composure as quickly as it left. "And just who do you think you are, Caspian, to decide who stays and who goes in my house? Don’t forget that Ava has just as much right to be here as you do. Or would you prefer I throw you out instead?!"

The room fell silent as everyone exchanged glances. But it didn’t last.

Gaulin cleared his throat. "Father," he started. "You can’t seriously expect us to stay silent this time. This isn’t just a minor slip-up. She’s gone too far. Associating with the Moores crosses the line. This family has suffered too much at their hands."

"And it keeps happening because you keep coddling her, Father," Matilda complained. "Everytime she does something wrong, instead of correcting her, you try to protect her. How are we supposed to run this family when you keep enabling her?"

Jerome laughed scornfully. "Exactly, Grandfather. The first time, she had the audacity to grip Father’s hand when he tried to discipline her. You let it slide. Then there was the fiasco with the Quinns, and you turned a blind eye again."

"And now..." he continued, "...the Moore’s? From the way you sound, you want to let her off the hook as well. How long are you going to keep protecting her when all she do is disrespect the family name?"

"I understand you feel guilt toward the child since she didn’t grow up with us. But guilt doesn’t justify this constant leniency. You can’t keep turning a blind eye to her wrongdoings," Gaulin said.

William frowned. "You know what I don’t understand? How exactly you all expect Ava to know about the feud with the Moores when none of you ever thought of telling her. Tell me, is she a sorceress or a mind reader?"

Noah scoffed. "So in essence, you’re letting her off again, Grandfather?"

"She did nothing wrong, boy," William said coldly. "If you have a problem with my decision, you’re free to leave my house!" William picked up the newspaper from earlier and started going through it again, ignoring his family’s fuming faces.

Matilda’s lips tightened. Not able to control her anger, she stared at William scornfully. He was supporting Ava again after everything she’d done to Sasha. She wasn’t aware that Gaulin was watching her until he placed a hand on her thigh.

Regaining herself, she stood up and walked out of the living room. Gaulin followed his wife out.

As Matilda walked into her room, she screamed in annoyance. William was really getting on her nerves. He was becoming a problem in the house. He has to go, she thought angrily as she sat on her bed.