Chapter 1701: Chapter 1701

The little girl finished speaking with a huff and dove, teary-eyed, into her mother’s embrace.

Ellinor held her daughter and glanced sternly at her son. “Adrian, is that any way to speak to your sister?”

Adrian, with a dismissive twitch of his lips, replied, “Mom, you always side with her.”

Baber, the older one, patted his brother’s shoulder. “Adrian, we are her brothers. We should be looking out for her.”

Adrian huffed in contempt. “You’re the older brother! Layla and I were born on the same day, so we’re the same age. Why should I have to let her have her way?”

Layla, turning her head from her mom’s chest, pointed angrily at Adrian. “Adrian, I am done being your sister!”

Adrian, equally stubborn, also denounced her. “Fine by me! I don’t want a bratty sister like you anyway!”

“Mom, you have to make it official. We’re not siblings anymore.”

“Mom, you prove it to him. I won’t call him my brother anymore.”

Ellinor was already weary, and the thought of having to mediate this feud was giving her a headache.

Just as she was about to intervene and calm the two down, Veronica suddenly stepped in, pulling the two youngsters aside.

“Wait, I’m not following your argument at all. Layla, what do you mean by ‘the brother before he came back’? And Adrian, what do you mean ‘when you stayed with Dad’? You two better explain yourselves.”

Layla and Adrian were both at a loss for words.

Neither of the two knew where to start and were unsure whether they should even disclose anything.

They knew their mom wouldn’t approve, but their argument had already let the cat out of the bag.

Veronica, not receiving an answer, questioned them again. “You two are hiding something from your aunt, aren’t you?”

Ellinor pulled the children back to her side. “Now, don’t you have a date to get to? What’s the hurry?”

Veronica furrowed her brows. “I’ve already made him wait. I just texted Moran and pushed back the time. Ellinor, didn’t you find their conversation odd?” Ellinor had indeed noticed and understood their argument because she was aware of the whole situation. However, she didn’t wish to discuss it further with Veronica, knowing her to be as gossipy as Layla.

Ellinor rose, brushing off the matter lightly. “I’ll handle their dispute. You should go upstairs and get ready. Don’t you want to look your best for your boyfriend?”

Veronica had yet to apply her makeup. Glancing at the time, she hurriedly decided to get ready. As for the children’s strange conversation, she could always prod them for answers when she got back.

“Alright. I’ll go freshen up.”

Just as she turned to leave, Veronica noticed the hickey on Ellinor’s neck. Her eyes widened, and she stopped in her tracks.

Ellinor felt uncomfortable under her stare. “What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Veronica halted, pulling Ellinor aside so the children wouldn’t overhear. “Ellinor, tell me the truth. Where did you go this morning?”

Ellinor thought Veronica was being absurd. “Didn’t I leave with Byran to help him with something?

Didn’t you see us leave?”

Veronica furrowed her brows. “I saw you leave with him, but I didn’t see what you two were doing.

Ellinor, you can’t let yourself fall from grace.”