The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

Chapter 1691:

Despite being in his seventies, Michael was upright and sharp, shaped by years of military discipline. His presence was powerful without trying.

He wore a suit, and his stern features carried the weight of authority. Behind him walked his wife, her gentle presence balancing out her husband’s strict demeanor.

Then came Jules and Rachel—the two everyone had been waiting for. Chelsea finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her eyes softened at the sight of them.

“Mr. Astley, we’re the ones intruding. Forgive us for coming at the wrong time,” Jayden said respectfully, bowing slightly—not out of desperation, but genuine respect.

Michael noticed. A faint smile touched his eyes. He had a commanding presence, shaped by his military past. Even his kindness came with formality.

After a brief handshake, his eyes swept the room and paused briefly on Corrine.

She met his gaze with a calm smile—respectful, but not timid. “Hello, Mr. Astley.”

“Hello,” he replied with a nod before turning back to Jayden. “No need for formality. Please, have a seat.” His change in tone was unexpected.

Jayden and Chelsea exchanged another look before sitting down.

The tension seemed to melt away. The two families began to discuss the wedding celebration in peace, as if the earlier discomfort had never happened.

It was hard to believe they’d spent hours on edge, waiting in silence.

What on earth was going on?

What had Jules said to turn the tide so suddenly?

By four o’clock, the Ford family left the Astley home—still puzzled, but unable to ask anything until they returned to the hotel.

turned to head inside after saying his

change of heart?”

Astley family had tried to change Michael’s mind, but the old

blue, he had

feeling that

the old man’s mood had suddenly shifted. That

to the

just a regular room for

training room, but everyone knew what it really was—the

out of

he was

simply gave Franco a meaningful

That look said everything.

really did that?” Franco asked, stunned. He knew that with Jules’ record and condition, the military would never

army at eighteen, become a lieutenant at twenty, and by twenty-four, he was already a

was the only one awarded the highest military honor. With countless awards,

anyone in the military district

him a prodigy wasn’t an

proud and hard to control, and Franco agreed—if

like Jules left the army early,

𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲

such things confidential, but people only left like

to be PTSD—post-traumatic

of regret crept into his voice. “If he

of military honor wasn’t earned just by serving time. Only a few who’d received it were