From Forgotten Wife To Fierce Queen - Chapter 240: Chapter 240

However, Paisley had no interest in settling scores with these two. To her, Morris and Julia were nothing more than distant relatives.
Paisley had no expectations of them—or of the entire Beaumont family—so there was no reason for resentment.
"Hello." Paisley greeted them indifferently. Her gaze lingered on them for only a moment before moving away.
The other younger family members quickly greeted Paisley as well. Hearing people around her age call her "cousin" and even having their children address her as "great-aunt" made her scalp tingle.
Generational hierarchy truly was a strange thing. She was still so young, yet she had suddenly been elevated to the rank of an elder.
Everyone in the Beaumont family had greeted Paisley—except for Nathaniel, who remained silent.
Byron frowned at Nathaniel, "Why aren't you greeting her?"
Nathaniel stood there, his towering 6'3" frame making him stand out wherever he went. At this moment, his face was ice-cold, and he stared at Paisley without blinking. "No, I won't accept this."
Nathaniel thought, 'How am I supposed to accept that the woman I have been pursuing for so long turns out to be my cousin?'
"You insolent fool! What won't you accept her?" Byron roared.
Nathaniel's eyes suddenly turned red. "I just won't accept it!" He shouted, then ran outside.
"Nathaniel! Son!" Diana called out anxiously, wanting to chase after him.
"Leave him be. Such an insolent brat!" Byron snapped, stopping Diana. He then turned to Paisley. "That's your eldest cousin's youngest son. He's a reckless troublemaker—don't take him seriously."
Paisley glanced in the direction Nathaniel had run off. "Nathaniel and I met back in Lynford. He was the sponsor of the equestrian competition I participated in.
"We worked together quite well, and at one point, he even wanted me to be his mentor. He's smart, sharp-minded, and has an unwavering determination. I admire him a lot."
She wasn't just saying that—Nathaniel had indeed left that kind of impression on her. She genuinely appreciated him. Of course, that was aside from the times he would randomly send her messages just to annoy her.
Paisley figured he simply needed time to process this sudden shift in their relationship, but she was relieved. At least now, Nathaniel wouldn't be pestering her anymore.
Byron hadn't expected Paisley to say that. He raised an eyebrow and glanced in the direction Nathaniel had run off, lost in thought.
Peter, standing nearby, was equally surprised.
This was the first time he had ever heard someone praise his wayward son, Nathaniel—and not for superficial things like his good looks or athletic build.
Peter had never had any hopes for Nathaniel. In fact, he had long believed the boy was beyond saving, destined to be a reckless troublemaker for life.
"Smart, sharp-minded, and determined"—no one had ever used those words to describe Nathaniel. And yet now, Paisley, Peter's newly acknowledged cousin, had spoken about Nathaniel in such a way.
Peter couldn't help but smile slightly, feeling the same kind of pride as a parent hearing a teacher praise their child.
Diana, on the other hand, looked at Paisley with deep gratitude. If the occasion had been more appropriate, she would have hugged her on the spot.
In the entire Beaumont family, no one had ever spoken well of Nathaniel. The usual remarks were nothing but criticisms—he was all looks on the outside but rotten within.
That was why she was truly grateful that Paisley had openly praised Nathaniel in front of the Beaumont family elders.
Morris glanced at Byron and the other family members' reactions, secretly gritting his teeth. He hadn't expected just a few words from Paisley to change Byron and the others' perception of Nathaniel.
Even more unexpectedly, Paisley had openly admitted that she had known Nathaniel in Lynford. Now, he wouldn't be able to use that against her.
It was getting late, and everyone was exhausted. Especially, Tyson had suffered quite a shock from Christina and needed to rest.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Byron and agreeing to meet again next time, Paisley left the Beaumont estate with Tyson and Max.
Byron watched them leave before his gaze darkened once again. Under the dim garden lights, his cold eyes flickered as he spoke with an unmistakable air of authority. "Where is the fake?"
The people around him were momentarily stunned but quickly realized that Byron was referring to Brittany.
Earlier, before the banquet had even ended, Brittany had lost control and run off in a crazed state. Judging by the direction she fled, Brittany was likely still somewhere inside the Beaumont estate.
The commotion at the Beaumont family today was far too big to contain. By tomorrow, the entire city would know about this ridiculous farce.
Byron turned to look at Morris and Julia. "She's your problem. You deal with her."
Morris and Julia nodded frantically, terrified that if Byron got any angrier, he might throw them out of the family. After all, Byron cared about the Beaumont family's reputation more than anything.
This entire mess was their own fault. They had been too eager to form an alliance with the Godard family, only to be used by Christina.
In the end, everything backfired. Not only did they fail to secure an alliance with the Godard family, but they also ended up offending Paisley and Tyson. Worst of all, they had angered Byron.
Ignoring the foolish and opportunistic couple, Byron leaned on his cane and started walking back. After taking only two steps, he stopped and turned to Peter. "Tell that brat Nathaniel to come home."
"Huh?" Peter was briefly stunned before quickly responding, "Understood, I'll arrange it right away."
Diana's eyes turned red as she struggled to hold back her tears. She was deeply moved and felt an even stronger sense of gratitude toward Paisley.
If it weren't for Paisley's words today, Byron would never have agreed to let Nathaniel return.
In a lavish bedroom, Brittany curled up on the bed, completely ignoring the people knocking on the door from outside.
It wasn't until the door was violently kicked open that she sprang up from the bed, eyes filled with alarm as she stared at the people who barged in.
"What do you think you're doing? Who let you in? Get out!" she shouted, as if she were still the untouchable young lady of the Beaumont family.
However, the servants who used to greet her with smiles and deference now looked at her with cold, unmasked hostility.
The butler stepped forward. "Ms. Sullivan, we don't want to make this difficult for you. It would be best if you left on your own—that way, at least, you can maintain some dignity."
This was the last bit of kindness the old butler could offer Brittany, but it was up to her to recognize the reality of the situation.
Unfortunately, Brittany was destined to squander that kindness. "Who the hell do you think you are, talking to me like that? Get out! Did you hear me? Get out!"