Love's Change of Heart

Chapter 617

Chapter 617 Age Is Just a Number

Despite all the discussions, not even a single agenda was resolved. Everyone’s attention was on the last item on the list. These elders, thinking that they had taken a step back for the first two agendas for the sake of Lachlan, refused to bow for the last one.

Philip said, “Naomi’s return is… no small matter. It’s not something that can be decided in a single session of a conference. We have much to think about.”

One of the elders said, “He’s right. This is a rule set in stone by our ancestors, and we shall not budge for a single person.”

Another said, “Besides, Waylen’s journey to Highside is a vastly different matter from her departure. She insisted on leaving with the man even if it meant her exclusion from the family tree. Not even we could stop her, but now she expects to return without any repercussions? Preposterous.”

Philip let the elders go on arguing. Eventually, he held up his hand and looked at Naomi, who was still kneeling with her head hung low this whole time. “Do you remember what you said before you departed this family?”

“I shall be cut off from the family tree and never step foot in Jamesdon ever again.”

“Good,” said Philip. “So, what brings you back here?”

“I failed as a daughter. Now that my father has departed this world, I wish to stay with him for three years.” Before anyone could say anything, she continued, “I do not dream of being reintroduced to the family tree. All I wish is to stay with my father in the halls of our ancestors.” Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.

Lachlan said, “That is Grandpa’s dying wish and Aunt Naomi wants to fulfill it. I trust there is no objection?”

Everyone gulped down their words and turned to Philip. They knew Philip wouldn’t go against Lachlan, not if he still wanted to marry Charlotte to him.

Philip said, “Very well. Three years. Not a day less. Come here every day and kneel before the ancestors. At the same time, you should repent and reflect upon your wrongdoings.”

Aidan frowned. He took a step forward, but Leanna held his hand tightly. She had no idea what was going on, but Naomi wasn’t even looking at Aidan. Lachlan and Philip weren’t bringing him up either. They obviously didn’t want the other elders to know who Aidan was.

“I understand,” said Naomi.

Philip slowly got up. “That brings this meeting to a close. The punished person will stay. Everyone else, leave.”

Charles went ahead and helped Philip leave. The other elders made their way out of the hall as well.

Lachlan turned to look at Aidan and Leanna. “Come with me.”

Waylen shot Lachlan a look of displeasure, but Lachlan ignored it and went ahead.

Leanna glanced at Naomi and tried to say something, but in the end, she swallowed her words. I’ll find my answers soon. She looked away and saw Aidan looking at Naomi as well. Leanna tugged on his sleeve, and Aidan too shifted his gaze, but he looked tense. Then, they left.

Once they were out of earshot, Waylen heaved a sigh of relief. Man, that was intense. He plopped down on the ground and muttered, “They’re so mean.”

He looked at Charlotte and poked her shoulder. “Alright, you can stop kneeling now. Everyone’s gone.”

Still disgruntled, Charlotte shrugged and ignored Waylen.

Waylen massaged his knees. “Honestly, you were brazen. I can’t believe you’d g—” He stopped mid- sentence, for Naomi was shooting him a look.

“Watch what you say,” said Naomi calmly.

Waylen covered his mouth and nodded in gratitude. Naomi turned her attention back to the tablets in front of her and closed her eyes. A moment later, beset by boredom, Waylen chatted Charlotte up again. “What’s wrong with Lachlan? Marrying him won’t kill you.”

The mention of that filled Charlotte with anger. “He’s ten years older than me. Ten. Years! And he’s scary. If I marry him, he might cook me up and eat me like stew if I anger him.”

He’s not a cannibal.

Charlotte calmed down a little. “Oh, wait. He’s feral. He eats things raw. Ugh, imagining him lathering me with barbecue sauce is so gross.”

What the hell is this idiot talking about? “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I won’t marry him no matter what. I have someone I like.”

Waylen straightened up. “Who is also ten years older than you are.”

“I understand,” said Naomi.

Philip slowly got up. “That brings this meeting to a close. The punished person will stay. Everyone else, leave.”

“Age is just a number,” said Charlotte.

“Morality isn’t. He’s married.”

“Divorced. I can verify that.”

“Got back together again. Are you blind?”

Charlotte took a deep breath. “I can wait. They’ll break up one of these days.”

“Yeah. On February 31st, probably,” drawled Waylen.

“If they could get a divorce, then there’s always a possibility of a breakup.”

“If your father heard that, he would slap you.”

Still annoyed by that slap, Charlotte craned her neck. “Go ahead, then. I don’t care. I’d rather die than marry Lachlan.”

Amused, Waylen said, “Honestly, where did you get the idea that Lachlan is a cannibal?”

“I… I have my sources. And you’re his lackey, aren’t you? That makes you cannibal number two. Do not talk to me anymore.”

I am not a… Fine, whatever she says. Silence swooped down on the hall once more.

Charles was right outside, face as black as thunder. He heard everything Charlotte said. This punishment will be good for her. She’s getting way out of control. One of his men came over, and Charles looked away from Charlotte. He moved slightly farther out and asked, “So?”

“Mr. Woodley took them to the back room and had guards standing outside. I couldn’t hear anything.”

Charles said, “I thought Aidan came for the Highside matter. I didn’t expect Lachlan to bring Naomi back. What on earth is Lachlan trying to do?”

“Sir, when Old Mr. Woodley was alive, I heard rumors of his idea of reforming this family, but the elders wouldn’t agree to it, so he shelved the idea. Lachlan probably took Naomi in because of him. This is his first step to reform.”

Charles said, “This family is starting to show cracks even though we’re getting bigger. We have many branches. Branches we do not care for, yet we include them in the family tree because their progenitor is part of the trunk. Thanks to that, they abuse the family name and commit a lot of… unsavory actions. If Lachlan wishes to revamp this family, he must uproot the elders as well. That’s why they refuse to change.”