Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 437

Although the main branch of the Stone family had been "banished to the frontier,"

One-year-old Alvin was clearly an exception.

After all, he was just a baby, innocent and unaware. It wouldn’t be fair to punish him for the mistakes of his parents and grandparents. So while Old Mr. Stone had exiled the rest of the main branch, Alvin was allowed to stay.

Originally, the old man had intended for his wife to raise the child.

But his wife had coolly informed him that her nerves couldn’t handle the disturbance of a young child. Seeing her resolve, Old Mr. Stone didn’t press further. Instead, he simply assigned more servants to care for Alvin. Now, as he observed the child from the second branch of the Stone family, the old man suddenly remembered Alvin again.

At the suggestion, the matriarch arched an eyebrow.

After a brief moment of consideration, she decided it wasn’t a bad idea.

She had no desire to raise the child herself.

Aside from her advanced age and lack of energy for child-rearing, there was another reason—her eldest son’s involvement in the kidnapping of her great-grandson. Though she wouldn’t hold a grudge against little Alvin, she couldn’t muster any affection for him either. At most, she’d ensure he was well cared for by the staff.

But that wasn’t a permanent solution.

So when her husband made his proposal, she gave a slight nod. Then, turning to Gwen, whose face had gone pale, she said, "From now on, Alvin will be entrusted to you and Finely to raise."

Gwen froze.

Her eyes darted first to Finley, then to her in-laws.

Finally, under the matriarch’s unwavering gaze, she succumbed to the unspoken authority. Stepping forward, she dipped her head slightly and replied, "Understood, Grandmother."

The second branch was just as stunned.

The sudden decision from Old Mr. Stone and his wife caught them off guard.

Though it left a sour taste in her mouth, Aster quickly reconsidered—after all, this meant their branch of the family would now have *two* great-grandsons! That wasn’t such a bad deal. Exchanging a subtle glance with her husband, she turned to the elderly couple with a practiced smile. "That’s a fine idea. Alvin really shouldn’t be left on his own—I was actually just about to discuss this very matter with you both."

Old Mr. Stone visibly brightened at her words, giving a slight nod of approval.

Encouraged, Aster pressed on, her voice laced with eager anticipation. "Then, Father, what about Collin’s hundred-day celebration…?" Little Collin’s milestone banquet was just three or four days away.

The second branch had planned an extravagant affair to announce their grandson’s arrival in grand style—proof to the world that *they* now had an heir. At the very least, they wouldn’t let the third branch’s twin boys outshine them.

Those twins’ own celebration would follow in about a month, but that wasn’t the real concern. The true objective was forcing the old madam’s hand. The second branch feared she might gift the twins the remaining 10% of family shares during their banquet, so they aimed to strike first.

By presenting their grandson to the family just before his hundred-day feast, they’d secure their claim. If the matriarch withheld 5% from Collin then, how could she possibly favor the twins without shame? At worst, it’d be an even split—5% for their boy, and 5% for the twins.

Losing the full 10% to the third branch would sting, but half was better than nothing.

So Aster gazed at Old Mr. Stone with eager anticipation.

He treated others as brothers, but they might not see him the same way. In Lambert's eyes, blood ties meant nothing in this family. It was a dog-eat-dog world. Take his own uncles, for example—they had dared to kidnap his son just for a share of the family fortune. The fact that he hadn’t retaliated more viciously was already out of respect for his father.

Now, Lambert probably understood why his father had never become the family heir and had endured years of ridicule and suppression from the elder and second branches.

The truth was simple: his father was weak, easily bullied, and far too saintly.

That he had survived the cutthroat competition with his uncles back in the day could only be chalked up to sheer dumb luck.

Seeing his younger brother speak up for him, Second Uncle chimed in cautiously, "Dad’s right. If we don’t even hold a hundred-day celebration, what will the rest of the Stone family think of little Collin…" But he didn’t dare raise his voice, so even his protest came out timid.

Old Mr. Stone shot his second son a glare before sweeping his gaze across the others.

Then, slowly, he declared, "Fine. But let me make this clear—this is the last illegitimate great-grandchild I will ever acknowledge. The Stone family has no room for bastards or those of dubious origins. If your branch has any more children in the future, unless they’re born to Gwen, none will be recognized."

A flicker of disgust flashed in the old man’s eyes as he spoke.

It was obvious just how much he despised children born to unknown mothers.

Second Uncle and his wife stiffened, their backs breaking into a cold sweat. "Understood, Father," they hurriedly replied.

This time, the old man ignored them, instead glancing at his grandson, who kept nodding off in the corner. His expression twisted into a mix of exasperation and disappointment before he waved a dismissive hand. "Enough. We’ve all had a long day with Lucian’s birthday banquet. Everyone, get some rest."