Antoine flashed a subtle smile, turning to glance at the stern-faced man dressed in a crisp suit, "Bro, did you hear that? Eleanor said I'm handsome."
Bevis, not a man of many words or smiles, gave Antoine a plain look and said, "We're here for serious discussions, not to toot our own horn."
After rolling his eyes at Bevis sober mood, Antoine turned his attention back to Eleanor, “Eleanor, Peterson mentioned that you don’t wish to return to the Sharp Estate. May I ask why?”
Eleanor gently rubbed her belly, "I have my own child now, and my own family. I don't need to return to the Sharp Estate. It's enough to know that my family are you guys."
Antoine softened his eyes, looking at Eleanor's belly, "So you're pregnant. Congratulations, you're going to be a mom."
Thinking of her obedient child, Eleanor's lips curled into a faint smile, "Thank you for your well wishes."
After a chat about her upcoming baby, Antoine, the more empathetic of the brothers, took the opportunity to strengthen their bond and persuade her, "Eleanor, regardless of the circumstances, it is important to connect with your roots. That way, your child will know his mother's lineage. Not just for his future, but during his upbringing, having the support of a powerful family like the Sharps will foster confidence and courage."
Confidence and courage were what Eleanor lacked during her own upbringing, leading her to live passively as an adult. Still...
Eleanor looked at Antoine and the silent Bevis, giving them a soft smile, "I can provide my child a confident environment on my own, without relying on the Sharp family."
Bevis, who rarely smiled, forced a grin, treating Eleanor gently, "But we, as your cousins, hope you can come home."
Eleanor, looking at Bevis sincere eyes, was a bit torn, "I..."
Antoine nodded in approval, "He is right. Even if you don't live in the Sharp Estate, your mother's grave should be relocated to our family's cemetery, and your sister's too."
Eleanor firmly refused, "My mother's empty tomb can be moved from the Pine family to the Sharp family, but my sister's can't. She and her husband were very much in love; they must be buried together."
The three brothers exchanged glances, and finally, Peterson nodded, "Then we won't disturb your sister's ashes, we'll just include her name in the family register and restore her status as a Sharp heiress."
Without waiting for Eleanor's response, Peterson continued, "Now, you're the only child of Pauline who is alive. Even if we want to move the tomb, it requires your presence. Come back with me."
Peterson's words were followed by Bevis, "Our grandfather truly didn't know that Ma'am Pauline had sent your mother away. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let you suffer outside all these years.
If this is something you're holding against us, I'll have him personally apologize to you. How about that?"
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