Heiress's High Society Comeback

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 cJules 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 cwith 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.

At the gates, Michael turned to head inside after saying his goodbyes to their guests.

Franco hurried after him. “Why the sudden change of heart?” he asked, unable to hold back.

Before now, every member of the Astley family had tried to change Michael’s mind, but the old man never

budged.

Now, out of the blue, he had changed his stance.

Franco couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.

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

only confirmed his suspicions.

“Did you take Jules to the training room?” he asked bluntly.

That chamber wasn’t just a regular room for exercise.

It was called a training room, but everyone knew what it really was—the Astley family’s private space for

discipline.

Anyone in the family who stepped out of line was locked up there as punishment.

Franco had once been sent there when he was younger, and the memory still haunted him.

Michael didn’t respond. He simply gave Franco a meaningful look.

That look said everything.

“You really 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 other choice.

Jules had joined the army at eighteen, beca lieutenant at twenty, and by twenty-four, he was already a

colonel—the youngest ever.

His shooting skills were unmatched, and he was the only one awarded the highest military honor. With countless

awards, he was a legend in the special forces.

Hardly anyone in the military district could match him.

Calling him a prodigy wasn’t an exaggeration.

People said Jules was proud and hard to control, and Franco agreed—if he had that much talent, he might act the

same.

But even someone like Jules left the army early, claiming it was for personal reasons.

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The military kept such things confidential, but people only left like that under extrpressure.

Franco guessed it had to be PTSD—post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Why are you so worked up?” 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 the army, with the skills he has, the Astley family might not

even deserve him.”

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

What a shthat Jules had to leave the army early.

Franco raised an eyebrow at his

father's sudden change p co

teasing smile playedionhis ips. “You

nbver supported him before. Now

look at you, changing sides so fast.”

Michael snorted. “If you had survived the training room, I'd let you do as you pleased too.”

“That's not fair,” Franco muttered, his head dropping with unease.

“But be honest, you actually approved

of Jules before, didn't you? Don't

think | didn’t notice younquiet) m

investigations ifito him and the Ford

family. You said you didn't approve,

but you were actually worried Rachel

would be mistreated.” The content is

on novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

Michael shot him a sharp look. “Are

you this idle these days? if YQUIEE0

free, maybe, ts arheyod visited the

tririhg room again—so your

nephew-in-law doesn't outshine you.”

Franco was stunned.

That hit home. Michael was mad, and he wasn’t hiding it—he even threw in a threat.

Michael turned to Franco. “Do you know what Jules said to me? He said the Ford family would rather suffer

themselves than let Rachel get hurt.”

Words were just words—but somehow, when Jules said it, it sounded real.

“Go to my room and bring the hemostatic ointment to Rachel.”

Franco's eyes lit up. “Got it.”

Michael might have grumbled, but deep down, it was clear—he was pleased with Jules. Otherwise, he wouldn't

have handed over that ointment from his personal stash.

Franco couldn't help but wonder—when would Michael stop acting tough while hiding a soft heart?