Chapter 161: Trouble In The Family

Dinner at the Foster mansion was unusually lively.

For the first time, the twins, Kit and Kat, joined the family in the grand dining hall, sitting side by side in their tiny high chairs.

Their cheerful babbles echoed through the room as Leanne, Kristine, and Isobel took turns feeding them spoonfuls of mashed vegetables. More food ended up on their chubby cheeks than in their mouths, drawing laughter from everyone around the table.

When the twins had finally eaten their fill, they rubbed their sleepy eyes, let out tiny yawns, and drifted off in their nannies’ arms.

"Take them upstairs," Kristine instructed gently.

The room grew noticeably quieter after the babies left.

Julian cleared his throat.

"I have something to announce."

His calm yet commanding voice immediately drew everyone’s attention. As the head of the Foster family, every word he spoke carried weight.

"For too long, people have looked down on Isobel because they believed she was nothing more than an orphan. They thought she had no family, no name, and no one powerful enough to stand behind her."

Across the table, Judy slowly lifted her gaze. A crease formed between her brows as unease settled in her chest.

Julian continued.

"That ends now. We will be hosting a grand party to officially welcome Isobel into the Foster family."

"Dad, you can’t do that!"

Judy shot to her feet so abruptly that her chair scraped loudly against the marble floor.

"I won’t agree to this."

Julian’s expression hardened.

"Judy, Isobel is also my daughter, just like you."

His voice remained measured, but the strain beneath it was unmistakable. He was forcing himself to stay calm.

"My flesh and blood deserves her rightful place in this family."

Judy shook her head vehemently.

"No."

She refused to even look at Isobel.

To Judy, acknowledging Isobel meant acknowledging that her perfect family had never truly existed. It meant accepting that her father had loved another woman enough to leave behind a child.

Her eyes turned toward Leanne, shimmering with restrained tears.

"Mom... you’re just going to let this happen?"

Leanne sighed softly.

"Sweetheart, your father is right. Isobel is his daughter. She has every right to be recognized. Besides, Isobel is a good child. She will be a good sister too."

Judy stared at her mother as though she had been betrayed.

"How could you say that?"

She pointed an accusing finger at Leanne.

"If everyone in our social circle finds out Dad has an illegitimate daughter, what will they think of us?" Her voice rose with every word. "Do you know how much they’ll laugh behind our backs?"

Her glare finally landed on Isobel.

"She should never have come here."

There was naked contempt in Judy’s eyes.

"She’s nothing but a stain on the Foster name. Her existence is a constant reminder of Dad’s disgrace."

A deafening smack echoed across the dining room.

Morgan’s palm slammed onto the table so hard that wine glasses trembled and silverware clinked against porcelain.

"Judy Foster."

The full use of her name made Judy’s body go rigid.

Morgan only called her that when his patience had completely run out.

His sharp gaze locked onto her.

"You are a wife now. Old enough to know better, yet you are so narrow minded."

"Isobel has done nothing wrong."

"If anyone should be judged for what happened years ago, it is the adults who made those choices—not an innocent child who had no say in how she was born."

His voice turned colder.

"Yet you choose to condemn her simply because she exists."

Judy’s lips trembled.

"Brother..."

Tears finally spilled down her cheeks.

"You’re scolding me... because of her?"

Judy’s voice cracked as tears streamed down her face.

Morgan’s expression remained unmoved.

"I’m scolding you because you’re wrong. I want you to see reason."

Silence settled over the dining room.

Judy looked from Morgan to Leanne, then finally to Julian, hoping someone would take her side.

No one spoke.

Her heart sank.

"So..." she let out a bitter laugh. "Everyone has already accepted her."

Julian held her gaze, his expression resolute.

"Yes. And it’s time you accepted the truth. Isobel is your half-sister after all."

The words struck Judy like a slap across the face.

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Never in her life had she imagined her father would ask her to acknowledge Isobel as family.

After sometime, she finally spoke.

"You’ve all forgotten that Mom was the one who stood beside you all these years!" Judy cried. "She endured the whispers, protected this family, and raised us with dignity. Now you’re bringing another woman’s daughter into this house as if nothing ever happened!"

Leanne closed her eyes briefly.

"Judy..."

"No, Mom!" Judy snapped. "Why should you compromise?"

For the first time since the argument began, Isobel spoke.

"I don’t want anything."

Her calm voice cut through the tension.

Every pair of eyes turned toward her.

"I never came here to replace anyone."

She looked directly at Judy, her expression composed.

"I don’t want your room. I don’t even need you to acknowledge me as your sister."

She paused.

"But I won’t apologize for being born."

The words were spoken without anger or resentment. They were simply the truth.

Judy’s face flushed crimson.

"You make it sound so noble," she scoffed. "Don’t pretend you’re not enjoying this. First, you moved into the mansion. Now you’re getting a welcome party. What’s next? Taking the Foster name? Taking a share of everything that belongs to us?"

"It already belongs to her."

Julian’s deep voice interrupted her.

The room fell silent once more.

"I’ve neglected Isobel for over twenty years."

His eyes rested on his eldest daughter.

"No amount of money or status can return the years I failed to give her as a father."

He drew a slow breath.

"This recognition party isn’t a reward."

"It’s an apology."

Judy stared at him in disbelief.

"And if the price of making things right is that society gossips about me..." Julian continued, "...then let them."

He slowly rose from his chair.

"I don’t care what others say about me..."

His gaze swept across the family.

"All I care now is making things right."

His words carried the unmistakable finality of a patriarch.

"No one in this family will insult Isobel again."

"Anyone who refuses to respect that..." His eyes settled on Judy...