Chapter : 1176

“Dad, Kate is already outside,” Edric said quickly. “She’s a good girl, very polite and well behaved. She said she’ll only come in if you allow it. If not, she’ll just stay outside and celebrate your birthday from there. You should meet her. You’d definitely love her!

”

Tabitha let out a cold snort. In her eyes, that illegitimate girl had clearly inherited her mother’s talent for sweet talk.

Roger looked straight at Edric.

“Tell her to go home.”

The refusal came without hesitation.

“Dad!” Edric exclaimed, aghast.

Roger’s expression hardened. “Tabitha said one thing that was absolutely right. Ivy is the only daughter of the Quinn family. I won’t acknowledge anyone else.”

Edric’s face fell instantly. Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Outside the estate gates, Kate and Noelle were waiting in a luxury sedan. They had been sitting there the entire time, waiting for Edric to fight their way in and bring back an answer.

Kate looked increasingly anxious. “Mom, do you think Grandpa will let me go inside?”

Noelle wore a fitted silk dress, her hair pinned neatly up. Compared to the faint wrinkles on Tabitha’s face, she still looked soft and elegant, the kind of woman who seemed delicate and charming wherever she went.

She remained calm. “Don’t worry. Your father will be back soon. Then we’ll know.”

“But he’s been inside forever!” Kate said impatiently. “Why isn’t he back yet? Grandpa’s birthday party is full of important people today. It’s the perfect chance to show myself. I don’t want to keep living as an illegitimate daughter. I want to be the Quinn family’s heiress!”

Noelle’s voice stayed gentle. “Don’t worry. One day, you will be the Quinn family’s heiress. Ivy won’t be able to block your path

forever.”

Just then, Edric appeared.

“Noelle!”

Noelle immediately brightened, her expression turning warm and admiring. “You’re back. What did your dad say?”

Kate leaned forward anxiously. “Yeah, what did Grandpa say?”

Looking at their hopeful faces, Edric hesitated before speaking.

“I’m sorry. Dad won’t allow Kate to come in.”

Kate felt as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over her. All the excitement she had been holding onto disappeared instantly.

She had carefully dressed up today in a luxurious gown, hoping to make her appearance at the party,

“Why won’t Grandpa accept me?” she said miserably. “I’m part of the Quinn family, too.”

“Don’t be upset,” Edric said quickly. “Your grandpa will acknowledge you eventually. Everything you’ve suffered…I’ll

make it up to you.”

Noelle understood something very clearly: keeping Edric’s heart was more important than anything else. For years, she had stayed humble and gentle around him, always soft spoken and attentive, slowly wrapping him around her finger.

+25 Bonus

She immediately spoke up to calm Kate. “Don’t make things hard for your dad. He loves you the most. Isn’t that right?”

Edric reached out and gently rubbed Kate’s head.

“That’s right, Kate. I love you the most. You’re obedient and thoughtful. You’re nothing like Ivy. That girl only knows how to make me angry.”

Noelle knew Edric still cared about Ivy somewhere deep down.

But over the years, she and Kate had kept Edric close to them, and the distance between him and Ivy had only grown wider.

Noelle looked at him again.

“You don’t need to stay here with us. Today is your dad’s birthday party. You should go inside and help. I know your wife is there, too.”

Edric raised an eyebrow. “Are you jealous?”

Noelle pretended to be a little jealous and shook her head. “Of course not. As long as your heart belongs to me, that’s enough.”

Edric pinched her cheek affectionately.

“Tabitha and I lost our feelings for each other a long time ago. If it weren’t for my dad, I would’ve divorced her already. We can’t stand the sight of each other.”

He turned toward the estate.

“Wait here. I’m going back inside.”