Chapter 639 - 638

639 Chapter 638

Erin lounged comfortably on the sofa, casually snapping her fingers at the nearby butler. “A cappuccino, please.”

Unaware of the recent conversation, the butler quickly brought the prepared coffee and handed it to Erin.

“Thank you,” Erin said with a sweet smile.

The butler waved his hand dismissively. “Miss Martin, there’s no need for such politeness.”

He then looked at Uncle Olsen and Keira. “Sir, Miss, would you like anything to drink?”

Keira shook her head while Uncle Olsen stood up. “I’m going to grab something to eat.”

Having slept for so many days, his stomach was empty.

Apart from that, his departure signaled to Keira that he hadn’t detected any hostility from Erin. Nearing his fifties, Uncle Olsen was skilled at reading people and rarely wrong in his judgments. Keira simply nodded.

Uncle Olsen followed the butler toward the dining area.

Erin immediately stood up. “Uncle, wait for me! I’m hungry, too!”

She then turned to Keira. “Won’t you join us for a bite?”

“…”

At that moment, Erin still appeared to be the innocent young girl she seemed to be. It was unclear whether she had acted this way for so long that it had become second nature or if she truly retained a pure heart. Her demeanor seemed entirely genuine as if she wasn’t the same person who had been negotiating with Keira moments earlier.

Keira lowered her gaze, noticing Lewis, who had approached unnoticed. She told Erin, “You go ahead. I’m not hungry.”

She walked with Lewis to a corner. Keira looked at him. “Do you think she’s a problem?”

“From our conversation just now, I sensed no deceit in her.” Lewis replied without hesitation.

Keira nodded and then asked, “What do you think I should do next?”

If Keera had indeed chosen to submit to Fox, should Keira serve Erin or oppose her? Erin and Keira were both old Mr. Martin’s granddaughters. Considering Erin’s influence within the Special Division, she likely had her own supporters in Clance’s five major families. The task Keira had barely completed for the South family could lead to endless complications if she clashed with Erin.

Moreover, Charles was in love with Erin, and while Uncle Olsen could unhesitatingly support Keira, what about Charles? Were the Olsen brothers once again facing a dilemma between choosing a wife or a sister? Why did Keira always seem to be at odds with her brothers’ interests? She was becoming less certain.

As Keira wrestled with her thoughts, Lewis suddenly said, “Keira, I have never put my fate in anyone else’s hands.”

Keira was startled. Lewis continued, “If you hand over all the completed tasks to Erin, what’s next? She’ll promise to help you return to the South family to save your mother, right?”

Keira clenched her jaw and nodded. She wasn’t interested in the South family; she just wanted to rescue her mother and live peacefully with her father. But she knew her thoughts were naive because…

Word by word, Lewis spelled out the danger she had been ignoring, “What if Erin fails? What if she demands you work for her before agreeing to save your mother? Moreover, even if you do rescue her, could you and she live in peace forever? Your mother has endured in Oceanion for many years, suffering countless grievances. Do you plan to rescue her and then live in hiding like fugitives with your father and me?”

Keira tensed her jaw again.

But Lewis laughed softly, “I’d be willing to abandon all glory and wealth to be with you, even if we ended up living simply, with my farming and you weaving. That would be enough for me. But what about our children? It might be easier if we have a son, but if we have a daughter, she’ll inevitably get caught up in the South family’s inheritance issues. You’ve heard how few girls there are in the South family now. Even if you choose to walk away, do you think the South family will just let you go? Do you think they’ll give up on Amy?”

Keira clenched her fists and took a deep breath. She understood all the reasons Lewis laid out; she had always known them but had never wanted to face them. Ever since learning about the South family’s heir training program, she had found it ridiculous and wanted to break free from the South family’s constraints. She just wanted to save her mother and live freely.

Now, Lewis had laid out the harsh truth. Without fighting for the position of heir, she would never be free. Even if she bowed down to Erin, would Erin change the South family’s rules to let her and her mother live happily? Or what would she have to sacrifice for Erin to make such a concession? The rules of a powerful family weren’t easily changed. Thus, she had never had any choice.

There was only one path for her: to win this battle for the heirship and take control of the South family to gain ultimate freedom.

Keira took a deep breath, her eyes firm as she looked at Lewis. “I know what to do now.”

After finishing her conversation with Lewis, she returned to the dining table. Erin was gleefully gnawing on some ribs, grease gleaming on her fingers and mouth as she praised, “The food from Crera is so delicious! I’ve missed out on so much over the years!”

Erin had been living with the Martin family all these years to keep the other heirs from knowing she was Fox. Now, she suddenly regretted it. She had missed out on the culinary delights of Crera!

Uncle Olsen had finished a bowl of oatmeal. Although still hungry, he restrained himself, knowing that his stomach, empty for days, wasn’t suited to overindulgence. Seeing Keira and Lewis, he gracefully wiped his mouth and turned to Keira. “Have you decided?”

“Yes,” Keira replied.

Erin looked up, surprised. “Decided what?”

“I’ll continue to compete with you!” Keira said, “I’m going to win this inheritance contest!”

Erin seemed unsurprised and nodded. “I know. It’s like the ancient struggle for the throne; which prince wouldn’t want to compete? However…” Erin put down the ribs, licked her lips, and smiled. “Keira, it seems you’ve forgotten something. Rabbit is already dead, and you have no right to compete with me!”