Chapter 69

Chapter 69:

Fernanda’s heartfelt gratitude made Ector pause for a moment. He turned his head toward her, catching the soft smile on her lips and the genuine warmth in her eyes.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the car window, gently illuminating her face and highlighting her delicate features. Even the fine hairs on her skin caught the light, adding to her tender charm.

Bathed in that golden glow, she truly looked like a nineteen-year-old. The usual sharp edge in her demeanor had softened, leaving behind a peaceful, serene expression.

“You don’t have to thank me,” Ector said with a light-hearted smile. “You’re my sister; it’s what I’m here for.”

A quiet joy filled him. He had always sensed Fernanda’s resistance toward the Morgan family, but now, she seemed to accept him—as her brother, as someone she could trust.

Again and again, Ector found himself feeling sorry for Fernanda. He wished she had received the same love and support that Erika or Ava enjoyed—a family that stood by her instead of abandoning her to face everything on her own.

She was only nineteen, far too young to shoulder so much.

“If something troubles you, don’t keep it to yourself,” Ector said gently. “Just let me know, and I’ll take care of it.”

Fernanda didn’t push back. She simply nodded and replied softly,

“Alright.”

The atmosphere in the car grew warm and light. As Fernanda chatted with Ector, she found herself more at ease, even slipping into a playful tone.

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And Ector couldn’t help but feel that the distance between them had quietly faded.

When they reached home and stepped into the living room, Fernanda’s eyes landed on Selma, Michelle, and Erika seated together on the sofa.

It had been a while since she last saw Selma after their tense encounter. She remembered overhearing Erika on a phone call, mentioning that Michelle had arranged a separate place for Crowell and Amber, and that Selma had been visiting Crowell to help with his broken arm.

Now, seeing Selma back here made Fernanda wonder what had prompted her return.

The moment Ector spotted Selma, he instinctively stepped forward, positioning himself between her and Fernanda, as if shielding her.

His height and broad frame made his protective stance unmistakable. From where Fernanda stood, she could see the firmness in his posture, the calm strength in his back. It wasn’t something he calculated—it was pure instinct, a reflex to protect her.

Without acknowledging the trio, Fernanda walked past them with composure, heading directly upstairs to her room.

Just as she reached the stairs, Selma’s mocking voice rang out behind her.

“Well, look at that. One letter from Esaham University and she thinks she’s above everyone else. We’re sitting right here, and she acts like we don’t even exist.”

Fernanda didn’t break stride. She didn’t turn, didn’t answer. She continued up the stairs without a word.

Selma wasn’t used to being ignored. The disregard cut into her pride. As someone older and long accustomed to being treated with respect, Selma found Fernanda’s indifference deeply insulting.

Erika gently tugged at Selma’s sleeve, eager to stir the pot.

“Oh, Grandma, you know how she is—always brushing us off. And now that she passed the exams, of course she’s acting superior. Dad hasn’t stopped bragging. She’s probably basking in all the attention.”

“Hah!” Selma scoffed sharply. “What’s the point of all that studying? In the end, a woman’s fate is to marry and raise children. Do these top graduates even stand out? Hardly. They bury themselves in books and lose all sense of reality.”

In that moment, Selma thought she understood what made Fernanda so odd. She was just another bookworm—disconnected from the world.

Fernanda, already halfway up the stairs, stopped when she heard Selma’s voice. Slowly, she turned and looked down at her with a calm, composed smile.

“It’s absolutely important for girls to study,” she said clearly. “If nothing else, it ensures that when they grow old, they’re refined and wise, instead of using their age to push others around. They won’t reduce life to just marriage and children, nor dismiss education for women as pointless.”

Selma bristled. At first, Fernanda’s words seemed merely irritating, but the meaning beneath them began to register—and it stung. Her face darkened.

“Are you insulting me?” Selma snapped, her voice sharp with fury.

Fernanda gripped the banister and laughed lightly.

“That’s the beauty of education,” she replied. “It lets you insult someone so gracefully they don’t realize it until it’s too late.”

With a soft chuckle, she turned and continued upstairs, not sparing Selma another glance.

Selma trembled with rage, nearly charging up the steps after her, but Michelle quickly grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

“This is absolutely intolerable!” Selma hissed, her chest heaving with fury. “She dares speak to me like that, even while I’m right here! Imagine how she’ll treat the two of you when I’m gone. She’ll walk all over you!”

Erika stayed silent, her head lowered, the very image of quiet resentment.

While trying to collect herself, Selma’s eyes drifted toward Ector, who was casually leaning against the wine cabinet, focused on his phone.

“Ector,” Selma called, motioning him over. “Come here for a moment.”

Ector made his way over and sat down across from her.

Selma leaned forward, glancing around the room before lowering her voice. “You came in with Fernanda, didn’t you? Oh dear, that’s not good. You need to keep your distance from her. My instincts are never wrong—she’s nothing but trouble.”

Ector’s expression shifted slightly, the discomfort clear as his brows knit together.

Catching his reaction, Selma clicked her tongue and added with a teasing smile, “What, has she cast a spell on you already?”

Ector leaned back into the sofa and sighed. “Grandma, there’s no need to be so harsh.”

He found her opinion of Fernanda needlessly cruel.

“Then why are you acting like this?” Selma pressed. “Erika told me you’ve been favoring Fernanda lately—treating her better than your own sister. Is that true?” She reached out and patted his hand. “Ector, family should come first. You shouldn’t be siding with outsiders.”

Ector’s patience snapped. He pulled his hand away and stood up, slipping his hands into his pockets.

His voice was calm but firm. “Everyone in this house is family. Erika is my sister, just like Fernanda is. Taking care of Fernanda is my duty as her older brother—not because she asked, but because she deserves it. And for the record, Fernanda has never once said anything bad about any of you. So maybe it’s time you stopped being so cruel to her.”

With that, Ector turned and walked away, heading upstairs without looking back.

Selma, fuming with anger, watched as Ector disappeared upstairs, his indifference evident in every step.

“What has gotten into Ector? Why is he acting like this?” she snapped. “He’s never spoken to me that way before. It’s Fernanda—she’s clearly leading him astray. This has to stop. You both need to watch him closely and keep him away from that rude girl!”

Michelle and Erika hurried to calm her down, gently trying to soothe her growing frustration.

Later that afternoon, Robert stumbled into the house, clearly intoxicated. He hadn’t felt this elated in ages. His face was flushed from drinking, and a wide, foolish grin stretched across his features.

As soon as he entered, Michelle rushed to steady him, guiding him to the sofa as he swayed unsteadily. His cheeks were flushed red, and he looked entirely pleased with himself.

Seeing him like this, Selma launched into a lecture, scolding him about the dangers of drinking and insisting he should know better at his age. But Robert, in his drunken haze, paid her no mind.

Selma soon shifted gears and began venting about Fernanda, dramatically retelling how she had been disrespected earlier.

Despite the alcohol clouding his senses, Robert caught her name, and his ears perked up. Lately, even the mention of Fernanda stirred a deep sense of pride in him.

“Fernanda… oh, Fernanda, she’s amazing!” Robert slurred, squinting as he laughed. “She’s my pride, truly. She grew up without me, but look at her now… smart, capable, remarkable!”

Though his speech was slurred, the admiration in his voice was unmistakable.

Selma’s frustration deepened as she listened to his words.

“I’ve made up my mind. Once Fernanda graduates, I’ll bring her into the family business!” Robert declared, thumping his chest with pride. “She’s so talented—we can’t risk letting another company take her. Haha…”

Erika was stunned by his declaration and quickly spoke up in protest.

“Dad, that’s not right!” she exclaimed.

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