Chapter 241: How shameless!
However, Karl only gave Adelyn a reassuring nod before turning back to Felix.
When Felix continued to stare at him in silence, Karl frowned slightly and repeated himself —this time with a tone that uncannily resembled a mother scolding a stubborn child over something non-negotiable.
"You —why are you still staring at me?" he asked. "Don’t tell me you’re waiting for me to show you how it’s done."
Felix pressed his lips together, clearly unimpressed.
"Fine ... watch carefully then," Karl sighed dramatically before turning toward Adelyn.
And just like that—
His tone changed completely.
"Sister-in-law, please look after me."
Felix was stunned.
Jasper was equally caught off guard.
And Adelyn—
She was completely speechless.
That was it.
She couldn’t hold herself back anymore.
Reaching out, she grabbed Karl by the ear and twisted it —not too harshly, but just enough to make him wince.
"Ah—ah! Sister-in-law, what’s wrong? Did I upset you?" Karl almost yelped.
"You surely did," Adelyn replied firmly. "And if you don’t stop talking nonsense right now, you’ll only make me angrier."
"But I—I was just—"
"Shut up," she cut him off, her tone carrying a clear warning.
She knew very well —if she allowed him to continue, he would only grow more reckless with his words.
Karl immediately nodded.
Obedient.
Without another word, he raised his hand and made a zipping motion across his lips, sealing them shut.
Only then did Adelyn finally release his ear.
Taking a quiet breath, she composed herself before turning toward Jasper and Felix.
They had been watching the entire exchange.
She didn’t try to explain herself.
Instead, she simply offered a polite, composed smile.
"Please don’t take his words seriously," she said gently to Felix. "You don’t need to address me in any particular way ... It’s unnecessary."
The moment she said that—
Karl nearly spoke again.
But before he could even open his mouth, Adelyn turned and shot him a sharp glare.
A very clear warning.
Try it.
Karl froze.
Then slowly—
He lowered his head, pouting like a scolded child who had just been wronged.
Adelyn didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty.
He brought it upon himself.
And honestly—
His silence was far more preferable.
At least this way, he wouldn’t stir up more trouble for her.
However, just then—
Dylan’s voice came from the head of the table, calm and unhurried.
"It’s not necessary."
Adelyn turned toward him, a flicker of relief passing through her eyes.
Finally—
Someone who understood.
But in the very next moment, Dylan lifted his gaze to meet hers and added,
"But it’s only right if they accept things properly from the beginning."
Adelyn froze.
Completely.
Was he ... serious?
Karl, on the other hand, lit up instantly.
It was a rare, almost once-in-a-lifetime occurrence for his elder brother to support him so openly.
And there was no way he was going to let that moment pass.
"Exactly!" he chimed in enthusiastically. "It’s only right to get things clear from the start. After all, sister-in-law is family —and family should always be acknowledged properly."
Adelyn turned to look at him again.
This time, Karl simply smiled at her.
"Sister-in-law, don’t be so modest with us. We’re all one. One family."
She had no words left for him.
Across the table, Dylan didn’t repeat himself.
He simply shifted his gaze toward Felix.
Waiting.
Felix understood immediately.
Giving a small nod, he turned toward Adelyn.
"Sister-in-law," he said, his tone polite yet steady, "my apologies if I seemed disrespectful earlier. That wasn’t my intention."
Adelyn quickly shook her head. "Not at all, Third Young Master Warren. You were very polite. There was nothing disrespectful about it."
Felix offered her a faint smile. "Please ... just call me Felix."
Adelyn didn’t respond immediately.
She simply nodded, acknowledging his request.
Karl, watching this, felt satisfied.
But not completely.
Turning his attention to Jasper, he gave him a pointed look —one that clearly said:
Your turn.
Jasper caught on instantly.
Clearing his throat, he began, "Hello, sister-in-law. I’m Jasper Warren, second in line. It’s an honor to have you with us ."
He paused briefly ... as if choosing his next words carefully.
"Though ..." he added thoughtfully, "I may not be able to address you as ’sister-in-law’ very often. I hope you won’t take offense."
His words were deliberate.
Strategic.
Adelyn understood immediately.
And she didn’t question it.
After all, it made sense.
They were in the same industry.
Jasper was a well-known figure.
If he casually addressed her as ’sister-in-law’ in public, it wouldn’t take long for rumors to spread like wildfire.
So it was only practical for him to maintain that boundary.
Smiling faintly, she nodded. "Not at all, Second Young Master Warren. I understand."
Karl frowned the moment he heard that.
Looking at Jasper, he caught the faint smugness in his expression that he was throwing his way.
Pouting, Karl scooted his chair closer to Adelyn and leaned in, whispering under his breath,
"Sister-in-law, don’t fall for his sweet talk. He did that on purpose. He just doesn’t want to call you sister-in-law. Otherwise, how hard is it to say three simple words for a grown man like him?"
Adelyn pressed her lips together.
Turning slightly, she shot him a warning look.
"Haven’t you caused enough trouble already?" she murmured.
Karl pouted harder.
But since it was his beloved sister-in-law scolding him—
He didn’t dare argue.
"I—"
Before he could say anything further, Adelyn picked up a piece of bread and placed it onto his plate.
"Finish your breakfast," she said calmly. "Don’t chatter at the table and ruin your appetite."
"But sister-in-law—"
"Have. Your. Breakfast."
Her tone turned firm.
Final.
And that was enough.
Karl immediately lowered his head and began eating obediently, not daring to protest further.
Only after the table finally settled into relative silence—
Jasper brought up the real reason he had come.
"Big Brother," he began, his tone turning professional, "the investment contract has been successfully signed, and the first installment has already been transferred."
He paused briefly before continuing,
"However, they’ve requested to meet you in person. Should I arrange a meeting so you can—"
Karl suddenly leaned toward Adelyn again and whispered in a conspiratorial tone,
"Sister-in-law, see? I told you."
Adelyn paused mid-motion.
"He’s definitely up to no good," Karl continued. "He’s still trying to introduce another woman to Big Brother. And that too right in front of you. How shameless!"
Adelyn stilled.
Almost instinctively, she turned her gaze toward Dylan.
Her brows furrowing slightly.
Was that ... really what this was about?
