Apocalypse: Reborn with a Soul Sync Farming Space System-Chapter 128 Family Dinner (4)

Laurel did not react to Ling Xuan’s voice. She knew she couldn’t act rashly and risk unsettling the other people in the fortress.

She kept her gaze on Vera, as if trying to read the expression on her face. She had a faint look of satisfaction under those angry eyes. Then, her eyes slowly dropped back to the table. Her fingers rested lightly against the edge of her plate as she sat there thinking, and for a brief moment, the entire dining room seemed to grow quieter around her.

After a few seconds, she lifted her head again.

"Before we continue," Laurel said gently, her voice calm but thoughtful, "there is something I would like to understand."

Her gaze moved slowly from Vera to Felicia, then across the table toward the guards standing near the door, and only after a moment did she finally ask the question that had been lingering in her mind.

"How did you and Felicia enter the inner wall?"

The question was spoken softly, yet it carried enough weight that the room fell silent almost immediately.

Felicia’s confident smile faded just a little, while Vera’s brows furrowed as if she had not expected the conversation to turn in that direction. Aunt Margaret’s expression became grim, and even the guards near the door exchanged a glance with each other without answering.

Laurel leaned back slightly in her chair, her posture a little relaxed even though the quiet in the room had grown heavy. Her eyes drifted across their faces, she knew she had to be firm if she wanted to show the family that she was the ruler inside these walls.

"When the fortress was organized," she continued in the same tone, "I established a rule that anyone entering the inner wall would need written approval first before entry."

Her eyes shifted toward Vera again. "The last report I received earlier today said both of you were turned away."

Vera’s fingers balled into a fist, while Felicia’s expression darkened as she remembered the humiliation she had received.

For a moment no one answered, and the silence slowly stretched until Laurel finally turned her gaze toward Alexander.

"Mr. Wayne," she said softly, but disappointment danced in the depths of her eyes, "do you care to explain?"

Alexander’s jaw tightened slightly before he spoke. "We are having dinner," he said after a pause. "All families should be present, so I allowed them to enter."

Laurel looked at him quietly, as if weighing his answer. "You allowed it?"

"Yes," Alexander replied, his voice firm but controlled. "It did not seem appropriate for them to remain outside while the family gathered for dinner."

Laurel lowered her gaze briefly as if in deep thought. She picked up the glass beside her plate, taking a small sip of water as she considered his words.

"I see." She placed the glass back down gently. "So the rule changed tonight because the family was having dinner."

"That is not what I meant," Alexander said through gritted teeth. Knowing that she was going to get a divorce, he had believed he would be able to use the family’s influence to change her mind, but he never expected them to make everything worse.

Laurel looked at him again. "But that is what happened."

Felicia let out a quiet scoff. "You are making this sound much more serious than it actually is."

Alexander’s fingers tightened around the knife and fork in his hands. Before he could speak, Aunt Margaret placed her utensils down sharply.

"This is exactly the problem," she said, her tone cold. "You treat your husband’s family like outsiders while you give authority to strangers in this fortress, tell us, are you treating us this way because you want a divorce? Oh I know, it must be that you are seeing another man!"

Laurel’s gaze darkened at the accusation. "I am not seeing any man, nor have I treated you like an outsider."

"You placed members of this family outside the inner wall," Aunt Margaret replied without hesitation. "Meanwhile other people who have no blood relation to us live comfortably within it." She was indirectly referring to the Lennoxs and Laurel knew that very well.

How could the almighty Waynes live peacefully along the Lennoxs, who were mightier than they were?

Felicia nodded in agreement.

"That is what we wanted to discuss tonight," she added. "You act as if the fortress belongs entirely to you, you placed us outside the inner wall, what do you think of us? A trash?"

Laurel listened quietly without interrupting.

"For generations, the Wayne family has protected its own," Aunt Margaret continued. "Yet after arriving here you immediately separated us. Some family members remain inside the residence while others are sent to the outer districts like ordinary residents, what do you think the other residents would think of us?" Her gaze sharpened. "Explain that decision."

Laurel rested her hands lightly on the table, she was already growing angry... It was strange because the anger inside her was nothing she had ever felt before.

"When the fortress was built," She said slowly. " I actually did not plan to bring the Wayne family here."

Her words stunned everyone.

Laurel’s gaze shifted calmly toward Alexander. "Mr. Wayne was the one who asked me to reconsider."

Alexander’s face stiffened.

"I did you all a favour," Laurel paused, "I don’t even owe any of you an explanation."

And her last words unrivaled the fury inside the Waynes

"This is unbelievable... I see you have grown wings, Laurel. A trash from yesterday now thinks she gets to decide my family’s fate?" Felicia burst out in anger, her lips trembling with restrained emotions.

"I said what I said. I have given enough face to the Waynes. But you all must not forget this is my act of grace.."

Vera scoffed. "Brother this is your fault for letting her take control, now she thinks she is on top after our family has lifted her up." She turned to Laurel. "Let me tell you something without us, this place will not hold."

Laurel remained quiet for a moment before speaking again. "This fortress was not built to become a private residence for the Wayne family." Her tone was still gentle, but there was seriousness beneath it.

"The main reason the Waynes are here today is because of the money Mr. Wayne contributed. And the other families earned their place because they made contributions too. The ones who didn’t are working to earn their place, what have you all done since you came into the fortress? Apart from Mr. Wayne, what right do any of you have to make demands of me and question my decision?"

Felicia laughed lightly though it became awkward as tears pooled in her eyes. Laurel was right they had not contributed, but they were Waynes, and they believed that name alone was enough to shield them.

The others had pained expressions, because she had struck a nerve in them.

"We don’t care about your reasons, as long as Mr. Wayne contributed to this fortress and you are still his wife, you should step down," Margaret said, her eyes shooting daggers at Laurel.

"Step down?" Laurel’s gaze hardened as she stared at Aunt Magaret.