Eira stared at her uncle and shook her head again.

"Eira cannot teach Fourth Uncle," she said, her voice soft. "Fourth Uncle cannot be like Eira."

Karl immediately asked, "Why can’t I? Didn’t you just say I’m handsome as well?"

The little girl nodded again.

And her nod like that only confused Karl more.

"Then why can’t I be the same?"

"Because Fourth Uncle isn’t the same as Eira," she said. "Eira is small, and Fourth Uncle is big. He cannot be like Eira."

And suddenly, her words settled in.

Karl understood.

And he couldn’t refute it.

Loving Eira and adoring her would be of course different from doing the same for him.

How had he not realized it?

His lips pursed, and his expression fell into a sulk. "Then what should I do?" he asked. "Won’t Sister-in-law treat me the same?"

Eira thought for a moment before speaking.

"Mama protected you."

Karl nodded.

"Then that means Mama cares for Fourth Uncle too," she added.

And suddenly, that made Karl feel better.

Yes—his sister-in-law had protected him. If she didn’t care, she wouldn’t have done that.

But would she continue to care for him... and protect him always?

That was a question that had made him toss and turn the entire afternoon. And in the evening, he had come looking for Eira to find an answer.

"Mama said hate is a big word. It doesn’t come easy for someone. And if she doesn’t hate you, that means she would love you as long as you behave well."

Karl nodded in understanding.

But Jasper paused when he heard Eira say that.

He knew exactly who Eira was referring to as Mama. But what confused him was why would she say something like that to a little girl?

So ... he asked carefully, "Eira, did Mama say that to you?"

Eira turned to look at her Second Uncle and nodded.

"Why did she say that to you? Did she—"

"Eira thought Mama hated Eira, and that’s why she abandoned her. So Eira asked her if she hated her. Then Mama said she doesn’t hate her. No one could hate anyone easily. Eira is so cute that no one could bear to dislike her."

Something shifted in Jasper’s gaze when he heard that.

He might not know who Adelyn Grace was exactly —but his thoughts about her changed considerably when he heard how easily she had healed a pain that wasn’t even caused by her.

No wonder his brother seemed so certain about her.

She did hold a personality that fit perfectly with them.

As the corners of his lips lifted slightly, he heard Karl speak—

"Does that mean as long as I behave well, Sister-in-law would adore me the same?"

Eira turned and slowly nodded.

Karl was finally relieved. "Then I’ll behave well to keep myself in her permanent good books."

Jasper heard him and pursed his lips. "You think you can do that? Are you overestimating yourself again?"

"I’m not," Karl said firmly. "Sister-in-law has already accepted me under her wings. And I will do everything to stay under her protection —even if it means changing myself for the better."

Jasper raised a brow at him. "Really?" he asked, before adding, "Didn’t you say you would never accept her as your sister-in-law?"

Karl immediately shot up to his feet. "Hey ... don’t ever say that. How could I say something that ridiculous?"

"Sister-in-law is such a perfect woman ... so suitable and perfect for Big Brother. There’s no way I would have said something that absurd. Don’t bring it up ... especially in front of her."

Otherwise, how would he explain himself? He would lose her grace. And—

"What’s happening?"

Dylan’s voice cut through the air.

Both Jasper and Karl turned to look. Seeing him walking down, Jasper responded, "Oh, it’s nothing, Big Brother. Karl was entertaining himself as always —talking about changing his ways."

Karl felt as if he’d been stabbed and immediately protested, "I’m not joking. I promised Sister-in-law, and I’m willing to keep my word to her."

Dylan stared at him, his gaze carrying a silent warning —one that wasn’t overtly threatening, yet far from simple.

"You’d better keep your word given to her. Otherwise, if she comes to settle scores with you, even I won’t be able to protect you."

His words might have sounded indulgent, but they still made Jasper pause for a moment.

He looked at his elder brother —trying to read him.

He didn’t know why, but every time Dylan spoke about her, it felt as though he hadn’t just recently met her ...

But had known her for a long time.

As he was studying him, Dylan turned and met his gaze directly.

He didn’t ask why Jasper was looking at him like that —nor did he look away.

He simply let him stare until Jasper withdrew his gaze on his own.

"Brother," Jasper called softly, turning to pick up the file he had earlier set aside on the sofa. "Here’s the investment contract."

Dylan took the file from him and gave a small nod.

Then, instead of opening it, he turned to look at Eira and said, "It’s getting late. You should go and get ready for bed."

Eira heard her father and nodded. Getting off the sofa, she quickly headed upstairs to prepare for sleep. However, halfway up, she realized she had left her tablet behind and hurried back to retrieve it.

Once she was gone, Dylan sat down and opened the file to read.

Karl, curious, asked, "What papers are those?"

Jasper didn’t owe him an explanation, but still replied, "An investment contract. Are you interested too?"

It was like poking at a deep wound.

Karl didn’t even have money to spend on himself —how could he think about investments?

He glared at Jasper when suddenly—

Something made him pause.

And he quickly asked, "Investment contract? The one you were discussing with Big Brother last time in the library?"

Jasper thought for a second and nodded.

And that nod changed Karl’s entire expression.

He immediately turned to look at Dylan before returning his gaze to Jasper, now filled with grievance.

"You —how can you do that?"

Jasper frowned. "What?"

Karl huffed, pointing at him. "Jasper, I knew you weren’t a very loving person. But I never expected you to be so ... vile."