Chapter 486:
His Uncle Cory had meticulously styled his hair, lavishly applying gel until it gleamed, sculpting a tically
slicked-back look. Attempting a youthful flair, his ensemble—featuring a high-end sweatshirt adorned with
whimsical cartoon prints and casual jeans—clashed strikingly with his more mature, lined face, lending him a
somewhat comical appearance.
Ailyn’s gaze drifted from Cory to Kristopher, who stood confidently beside Carrie, then to Albin, who was casually
leaning near Camille. To her side, Cory, who could easily be mistaken for her father in terms of age, and to her
other side, men who seemed to have stepped out of the pages of fashion magazines—charming and poised. For
the first time, she truly perceived the glaring contrast.
Previously, Cory hadn't seemed so out of place. Born into wealth, his demeanor carried an effortless elegance
that distinguished him from the typical youthful crowd. When Ailyn brought him to her old neighborhood, her
neighbors would often whisper in awe, “Ailyn, your boyfriend looks like a high-ranking executive.” As they
strolled through the mall, even the charming, youthful sales associates showered Cory with compliments, a fact
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtthat had always filled Ailyn with a sense of pride.
But now, standing there, Ailyn felt a compelling urge to vanish into the background, to meld into the shadows on
the wall. She hoped fervently that Cory would not spot her, that he would simply continue on his way, oblivious
to her presence.
A man previously acquainted with the Myers family was the first to stir, his excitement palpable. With a gesture
of recognition, he exclaimed, “Mr. Myers, you've arrived? Ailyn is just over there!”
Before Cory could even glance in Ailyn’s direction, his gaze landed on Kristopher at the head of the table. His
smile vanished, replaced by a cold stare as he demanded, “Kristopher, what brings you here?”
Kristopher, meanwhile, gathered a few plates, gently setting them down before Carrie with a tender smile.
“Please, try these; they're the handiwork of our new chef,” he murmured.
Drying his hands methodically, he answered in a deliberate tone, “I'm attending the reunion with my wife, Uncle.
And you? Surely, you aren't one of Carrie's classmates, are you?”
Nearby, Camille leaned toward Albin, her voice a hushed murmur filled with concern. “Kristopher’s remarks are
quite biting.”
Albin responded with a tight-lipped smile, “It seems your best friend shares the straits.”
The people around were far from oblivious. Witnessing Kristopher’s overt disregard for Cory, they grasped the
underlying tension between Mr. Norris and his uncle. Those who had entertained thoughts of ingratiating
themselves with Cory now discreetly focused on their plates, feigning ignorance.
Humiliated in front of the younger onlookers, Cory marched up to the table, slammed his briefcase down with a
resounding thud, and exclaimed, “Kristopher, remember, | am your uncle! You're supposed to uphold the Norris
family’s dignity with your behavior. Is this how the Norris family taught you to address your elders? Have you no
respect?”
Kristopher delicately brushed his fingertips against the edge of his cup, his voice gentle and quiet as he
remarked, “Respect isn’t handed out freely; it's earned. Reflect on your own deeds—do any truly reflect the
dignity expected of an elder? Or...”
His voice trailed off as he slowly shifted his gaze to Cory, a subtle smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
“Perhaps | should ask Aunt to intervene and settle our little dispute?”
Cory'’s face hardened as he processed Kristopher’s direct challenge. The stability of his position in the company
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmhinged on his wife’s influential family. The revelation of his affair would surely plunge his year into turmoil.
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