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.

Michael turned to head inside after saying

him. “Why the sudden change of heart?” he asked, unable to

now, every member of the Astley family had tried to

of the blue, he

couldn’t shake the feeling that something

thought back to the guards at Michael’s quarters and how the old man’s mood had suddenly shifted. That only confirmed his

to the training room?”

just a regular room

room, but everyone knew what

of line was locked up

there when he was younger, and the memory still

He simply

That look said everything.

did that?” Franco asked, stunned. He knew that with Jules’ record and condition, the military would never let him retire so early unless there was no

at eighteen, become a lieutenant at twenty, and by twenty-four,

skills were unmatched, and he was the only one awarded the highest military honor. With countless awards, he was a legend

anyone in the military district could

prodigy

said Jules was proud and hard to control, and Franco agreed—if he had that much

even someone like Jules left the army early, claiming it was

𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲

kept such things confidential, but people only left

guessed it had to be

Michael asked, his tone calm as his gaze drifted toward the fiery evening sky. A hint of regret crept into his voice. “If he hadn’t left

by serving time. Only a few who’d received it were still