When Samuel was summoned back to Gracehold Estate, he continued to maintain a haughty attitude. He insisted that he had done nothing wrong, and imed that the reprimand and the stripping of his title as heir were signs of the king''s folly. The young man was arrogant and self-righteous. He looked down on everyone around him, including his own parents and family. He was convinced that he alone was in the right.


    Seeing Samuel''s obstinate attitude, Noah was enraged and pped him across the face.


    "Go and apologize to the duchess immediately! If you dare to voice any more dissatisfaction with the king, get out and never set foot in our family''s residence again. And that includes the manor on Hibiscus Lane!"


    Samuel had returned home with a lingering sense of unease. After losing his status as heir, he had hoped that his family would support him through his protests. If they had, he would have reluctantly yielded and brought Ruby back with him. However, no one sided with him when he returned home. Even his grandmother, who had always favored him, remained silent. Now, after being pped and forced to apologize to Leona, his rebellious spirit only intensified.


    He covered his face and roared angrily, "Fine, take everything back! You want me to apologize to her? Never! She''s the one who was jealous and couldn''t stand Ruby. She''s the reason Ruby got hurt, and she evenined to her cousin! She''s why the Hell Monarch brought trouble to our family! Are you really okay with this? Or are you just bowing to power? If you''re going to buckle under pressure, that''s your issue, but don''t expect me tock spine like you do. That will never happen!"


    "Ungrateful wretch! Are you trying to ruin the entire family?" Noah trembled with rage.


    Samuel''s other rtives present also criticized him.


    "Samuel, this is your fault! You can''t me others foring to demand an exnation."


    "This isn''t about fearing authority-it''s about acknowledging mistakes and correcting them."


    "Exactly! You study moral teachings, so why can''t you discern right from wrong? Favoring a concubine over a wife was wrong from the start. If you''re willing to correct your ways, we''re willing to ept you..."


    Samuel interrupted them coldly, "Be


    quiet. I don''t need your approval!


    You''re a bunch of petty, inept individuals, and here you are pointing fingers at me. You may look down on Ruby''s status, but you heard for yourselves that she is Grand Princess Eleanor''s daughter. If Grand Princess Eleanor were to acknowledge her, wouldn''t you all be currying favor with her then? In the end, you''re all just opportunists."


    Dorothy was deeply hurt to hear such harsh words from the grandson she had favored so much. Thinking of the prestige of the Earl of Gracehold title, she took a firmer stance.


    "Setting everything else aside, go and apologize to the duchess. Ask for her forgiveness. Even if you disregard everything else, remember she carries your child. You pushed her yourself. No one unjustly used you of that."


    Hearing his usually dotingTêxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    grandmother speak this way,


    Samuel felt a deep sense of despair.


    He sneered and said, "In the end, you want me to submit. Fine, I''ll apologize to her! If she wants, I''ll even kneel before her. Is that what you want?"


    "What?" Dorothy nearly had a heart attack from anger. "Can''t you speak properly? Do you want me to die an early death from anger? A man''s knee is worth gold! Even if she is your wife or even a duchess, you don''t have to kneel to her. Just sincerely admit your mistake. The duchess cares for you, so she will naturally forgive you. Show some genuine remorse..."


    Before Dorothy could finish speaking, Samuel had already turned and stormed off toward the back courtyard.


    Abigail screamed, "Quick, send someone to follow him. Who knows what kind of trouble he''ll stir up next?"


    Having just taken a dose of medicine, Leona was almost asleep. However, she was roused by themotion outside. She could hear Samuel and na arguing and frowned. What was he doing here?


    "Hazel, what''s going on outside?" she called out.


    Leona''s maid, Hazel, was standing by the curtain. She hurried over and said, "Your Grace, you''re awake? Mr. Langley came in a rage, and Ms. na and Ms. Leah are trying to stop him."