�Oh, Ren, you�re here with Stefan! How thoughtful of you!� Francine approached them and joyfully embraced Renee. She paid no attention to Stefan, who was seated in the wheelchair.

�It must have been exhausting for you to drive here while taking care of this nuisance, Ren. Come and take a seat. Do you want anything to drink?� She guided Renee to the sofa and sat next to her, then instructed the servant to prepare the best coffee possible.

�I�m not thirsty or tired.� Renee didn�t have the time to entertain Francine�s excessive cheerfulness as she glanced at Timothy, her eyes teary as she said, �Grandpa Hunt, I�m sorry for being late. I had no idea��

When Timothy heard this, he scoffed, �What do you mean by late? I�m still alive and kicking! I can eat two plates of food at the same time, and I�m a great deal stronger than all of you kids put together!�

�That�s good.� Renee nodded with a wobbly smile, trying to keep her emotions in check.

The kids rushed into her arms to comfort her. �Mommy, don�t be sad. Greatgrandpa promised to be a star and protect us.�

�Yes. We�ll all eventually become stars and meet in the sky!� Renee was touched by her children�s words.

Everyone talked and laughed together, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Only Stefan sat alone in the wheelchair, looking depressed. Nobody bothered talking to him or even pushed him around.

�Have you all finished talking? Is anybody going to pay attention to me?� He couldn�t keep his cool any longer. �I hurt my back, you know. Isn�t anybody coming to assist me to move?�

Timothy looked at him and remarked flatly, �You�re a big man. Aren�t you embarrassed to admit that you damaged your back?�

�It�s not like you broke your back,� Alexander scoffed. �What are you whining for?�

Francine, on the other hand, had no time for him since she was preoccupied with the children. She would feed Adie, and then Abby, her joyful laughter ringing out.

�Are they ignoring me? This isn�t possible� It�s time for me to take action!� Stefan thought.

�Quiet down.� Stefan cleared his throat and declared, �I have good news.�

Everyone turned to glare at him. Timothy, in particular, seemed unsatisfied and irritated every time he saw Stefan.

�Are you even capable of giving me good news? It�s most likely horrible news!�

Francine had the same annoyed expression on her face as she waved her hand dismissively. �Your grandfather and the grandchildren dislike you. Renee dislikes you as well. Why don�t you go into your room and wait there so you don�t spoil our mood?�

�What do you have to say?� Alexander urged him frustratedly. �Make it quick. I�m too busy peeling walnuts for my grandkids to squander my time.� He fed a peeled walnut to Adie and then to Abby as he talked, then told them gently, �Adie and Abby, you should eat more walnuts to keep your brain healthy. Don�t be like your stupid father, who does things without thinking.�

Stefan was stunned. Since Adie and Abby arrived, he�d lost all of his status in the Hunt family. They only saw him as an instrument for carrying on the Hunt family�s genes.

�You must be prepared for the news because it will excite you to the point of insanity.� Stefan tried again, hoping to arouse their interest. They looked at him for a few seconds before rolling their eyes and going back to ignoring him. JrNovels.com