Heiress Unmasked: Shaking the World With Geomancy novel Chapter 2243

"I believe Shannon would never act out without a proper reason. Did you say something unkind to her, Alex? Or perhaps you were giving her the I'm-your-uncle attitude again?"

Needless to say, Adam knew his brother's temperament like the back of his hand.

Alex the Tortoise had just been stretching his neck out, trying to look all aggrieved and full of righteous indignation. But the moment he heard Adam's words, he guiltily lowered his head.

Marie's bluster faltered a little, too, and off to the side, Hector added, "Shannon's soul was injured. She had no choice but to return home to rest. If Uncle Alex can't show concern, the least he could've done was not disturb her recovery.

"Or worse, verbally provoke her."

No one could say for sure whether using Shannon's body to perform spells might affect her own soul.

Hearing Adam and Hector both turn around and blame Alex, Marie admitted deep down that Alex had crossed a line. Still, she muttered, "He was just trying to stand up for me…"

Who told Shannon to not only be disrespectful to her but even curse her to be struck by lightning for wanting to be addressed properly?

She had only misjudged Shannon in the past, maybe said a few hurtful things without meaning to, but how could she still be holding such a grudge after all this time?

Marie felt wronged, too. She was her grandmother, yet her granddaughter had to take everything so personally.

Caught up in her own self-pity, she momentarily forgot all about defending Alex.

Everyone in the Jensen family, including George, knew full well what kind of person Alex was—arrogant, overly proud, never quite learning his lesson even after suffering setbacks.

At his age, he still acted with less maturity than Caleb, which said a lot. Still, they couldn't just sweep the matter under the rug.

After a long pause, George finally turned to Elowen. "Alex was out of line, and he's said things that offended you. I can have him apologize to you."

Knowing that the person before him wasn't truly Shannon, he didn't rely on seniority to press his case. His tone was measured, a clear attempt to negotiate rather than demand.

Elowen casually poked Alex the Tortoise's head, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "It's a trivial matter, indeed, but I still find him far more tolerable as a tortoise than a man.

"I don't ask for much. Just let him stay like this for now, and when I'm in a better mood, perhaps I'll revert him to his body."

She paused, then asked with sudden sincerity, "Or… Would you prefer he be turned into something else? I'd be happy to oblige."

The room fell into uneasy silence as the Jensens exchanged complicated looks. George reached out and stopped Marie before she could speak. Hank seemed ready to plead, but Caleb quickly held him back.

"That's a great idea," Caleb spoke up for once, uncharacteristically decisive.

He continued, "I think being a pet tortoise isn't bad. Uncle Alex's temper has only gotten worse since his divorce from Aunt Linda. Maybe a new perspective on life is just what he needs."

Hank cocked his head at Caleb, wide-eyed in disbelief. How could someone who had benefited from his father's generosity now turn his back on him and propose to leave him stuck as a tortoise?