Chapter 460

The golden years had brought them wisdom, but what they cherished most now was genuine connection amidst a lifetime of power plays. Leonard carefully folded his newspaper, his voice thoughtful. "Adrian might not have been the most devoted husband lately, but he and Serena share history. It would be cruel for him to ignore her troubles completely."

"I understand your perspective," Vivian replied, though privately she disagreed. She knew how hard it was for Leonard, once the family patriarch, to fully grasp her viewpoint given their generational differences. Yet she appreciated their good intentions, choosing not to argue. Maturity had taught her life wasn't about absolutes, but navigating complex shades of gray where motives intertwined.

A maid approached discreetly. "Mr. Blackwood, Mrs. Blackwood, dinner is served."

Vivian flashed a warm smile. "Your cooking is always exceptional. I can't help overeating whenever I visit Blackwood Manor."

Beatrice chimed in cheerfully, "I heard your chef resigned recently. Since you enjoy our meals so much, why not have our cook stay at Seabreeze Villa? You're looking rather slim, especially if you're planning for children soon. You're already camera-ready, no need to chase impossible beauty standards."

"Noted, Beatrice," Vivian responded warmly, helping the older woman rise. Beatrice tugged at Leonard's newspaper. "Enough reading, dear. Time to eat."

As Vivian guided Beatrice toward the dining room, her phone vibrated. After ensuring Beatrice was comfortably seated, she checked the caller ID: Julian Montclair.

Noticing the name, Beatrice's eyebrows lifted in curiosity. She leaned toward Leonard, whispering, "Julian... isn't he...?"

Leonard nodded. "Adrian's nephew."

Beatrice looked puzzled. "I thought Adrian severed ties with the Montclairs?"

"Julian was actually my senior in college," Vivian explained. "Back then, I didn't know about his connection to Adrian's family."

A knowing smile crossed Beatrice's face. "How serendipitous. Maintaining family bonds is usually worthwhile." Her expression then turned wistful. "Adrian always seems so detached. In wealthy families like ours, blood relations can feel like distant acquaintances. Yet invisible ties persist, pulling us together whether we acknowledge them or not."

Though Vivian had never probed deeply into Adrian's rift with the Montclairs, Beatrice's words piqued her curiosity. "Is there particular bad blood between Adrian and Julian?"

Beatrice seemed surprised. "Hasn't Adrian discussed this with you?"

Vivian lowered her eyes, shaking her head. "Adrian communicates more like a CEO than a husband. He simply warned me to avoid Julian without explanation."

Nodding, Beatrice clarified, "The conflict stemmed from business ethics. As you know, the Blackwoods strictly prohibit involvement with gambling, drugs, or similar vices."

Vivian nodded in understanding. Historically, Blackwood enterprises avoided all ventures connected to such industries, even in regions where gambling was legal. Notably, they'd never entered the casino business.