Chapter 244: Irreplaceable.
After breakfast—
While Jasper stayed back with Dylan to discuss business matters, Felix chose to remain in the living area with Eira.
It had been quite some time since he last sat down like this with his niece.
And there was something he couldn’t ignore.
Little Eira no longer looked the same. There was a noticeable change in her. She seemed brighter ... lighter ... happier.
A kind of warmth surrounded her now —a liveliness that hadn’t been there before.
Felix leaned back slightly, watching her as she played. He always wanted to see her this way. Happy and enjoying the warmth of childhood just as other kids of her age.
Could it be because of Adelyn?
The thought crossed his mind almost instinctively.
He didn’t hold any grudge against Adelyn.
Nor did he particularly suspect her of harboring any ill intentions.
But Eira ...
Eira was too precious.
Too important.
And because of that, Felix simply couldn’t afford to lower his guard so easily.
Still—
Watching how naturally Eira had accepted someone into her life ...
It didn’t feel like a coincidence at all.
"Second Uncle ..." Eira’s soft voice suddenly pulled him out of his thoughts.
He blinked and looked down at her.
She was staring at him with her head slightly tilted, her eyes filled with innocent curiosity.
Felix smiled unconsciously. Reaching out, he gently caressed her hair. "Hm?"
"What are you thinking?" she asked, as if ready to help him with whatever it was.
Felix chuckled softly w.
"It’s nothing, princess," he replied. "Uncle was just thinking about what kind of new dress would make our Little Eira look even prettier. Need to add new set to your wardrobe."
Eira’s face lit up instantly ...
"Whatever Uncle makes will make Eira pretty," she said confidently.
Felix’s smile deepened.
"Of course. That’s because Little Eira is the best. Everything looks good on her."
The little girl giggled happily ...
Turning back, she resumed playing.
But just then—
Felix remembered something.
"Princess ..."
Eira hummed softly and looked back at him.
"Why do you call Ms. Grace ’Mama’?" he asked gently. "Did she ask you to call her that?"
His tone remained light, but his gaze sharpened slightly.
If Adelyn had encouraged Eira to address her that way ...
Then there might be something more behind it.
Eira paused. She seemed to think carefully for a moment before shaking her head.
"Mama didn’t ask Eira."
Felix frowned faintly. "Then why do you call her that?"
He had never heard Eira call anyone "Mama" before.
Not even when she was younger.
She had always been surprisingly composed for her age when addressing people. Over the years, many women had tried to get close to Dylan through Eira.
Some had even tried to win her over deliberately.
But none of them had ever succeeded.
Even as a child, Eira had never allowed herself to be easily influenced.
And yet—
Now ...
Eira looked at Felix as if she didn’t quite understand his question.
"Because Mama is Eira’s mama," she said simply. "So Eira should call her Mama."
Felix stilled.
Her answer was too simple.
Too straightforward.
And yet—
It carried a weight he couldn’t quite interpret.
He frowned slightly, unsure how to respond. But just as he was about to say something—
An arm suddenly slung over his shoulder.
Karl.
Felix didn’t even need to turn to know.
"Eira is right," Karl said casually, leaning against him. "Sister-in-law is our sister-in-law. It’s only right to address her that way."
He then, shot Felix a look.
"How could you not understand something so basic? You even need to learn it from Little Eira."
Felix pressed his lips together.
"You ... aren’t you becoming a bit too eloquent these days?"
Karl raised a brow and shrugged.
"Am I?"
Felix shook his head, half amused, half exasperated. But then his gaze drifted back to Eira. Even now, something about her words lingered in his mind.
They didn’t feel as simple as they sounded.
But no matter how much he tried—
He couldn’t quite piece it together.
"Oh well," Karl suddenly spoke again, breaking his train of thought.
"Felix, since you’ve already acknowledged sister-in-law, you’d better remember to stand on her side from now on."
Felix frowned.
"And what exactly does that mean?"
"What else could it mean?" Karl pursed his lips before glancing toward Jasper, who was still talking to Dylan in the distance.
"You can’t go teaming up with Jasper later and start thinking about replacing sister-in-law."
His tone turned firm.
"Sister-in-law will remain irreplaceable in this family. No other woman gets that place. No one."
Before Felix could respond—
Karl nudged Eira lightly.
"Right, Eira?"
The little girl looked up at him, slightly confused.
Karl rephrased patiently so that it become easier for her to understand.
"You want your Mama to be replaced??"
Eira’s expression changed immediately. She shook her head without any hesitation. "Mama cannot be replaced," she said seriously ... very seriously. "She is irreplaceable."
"See?" Karl said triumphantly. "Eira and I are already on the same team. You’d better join us too."
He leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"Because Jasper is definitely up to no good."
Felix sighed and pressed his fingers against his forehead.
This ... was going to be troublesome.
—————————————————————
Meanwhile—
Upstairs, in her room—
Adelyn had already gotten ready to leave.
She picked up her bag and was just about to step out when her phone buzzed. Pausing, she took it out and glanced at the screen.
A message.
From Charlotte.
[Madam Scott: Since you’ve decided, don’t forget to bring the papers soon.]
Adelyn read the message.
Her expression remained calm.
Unchanged.
She hadn’t expected anything different either.
Taking a slow breath, she scrolled through her contacts and dialed Nigel’s number.
She had already spoken to him about this matter before. He had even offered to introduce her to a lawyer who could handle everything.
She just hadn’t rushed him at the time.
But now—
With the severance becoming urgently necessary—
There was no reason to delay any further.
She lifted the phone to her ear and waited.
The call rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
It disconnected.
Adelyn frowned slightly. Without hesitation, she dialed again. But the result was the same.
The call didn’t go through.
Just then—
A soft notification sound echoed.
A message.
She lowered the phone and checked. It was from Nigel.
[Grandson: What is it?]
Adelyn’s brows lifted slightly.
[Adelyn: You’re not home?]
She typed and sent the message.
A few seconds passed before her phone chimed again.
[Grandson: As if you are at home. Just tell me what you need. I’m busy.]
Adelyn read it.
For a brief moment, she considered asking where he was. But when she glanced at the time—
She dismissed the thought.
There was no time to waste on unnecessary conversation.
Straight to the point—
[Adelyn: Send me the lawyer’s contact.]
The reply came almost instantly.
[Grandson: You’re really going through with legally severing ties with the Scotts?]
Adelyn’s gaze lingered on the message for a second.
Then—
She typed a short reply.
[Adelyn: Hmm.]
No hesitation.
No explanation.
Just a confirmation.
Locking her phone, she slipped it back into her pocket.
And without another pause—
She stepped out of the room.
