Married At First Sight Chapter 3831
Chapter 3831Julian said warmly, “In the future, you should spend more time with Serenity, Jasmine, and Elisa. But don’t take everything Elisa says to heart—just listen.”
Curious, Kiera asked, “What would Miss Stone say to me? Why are you warning me not to believe her?”
Julian let out a small, embarrassed cough as he continued driving. “Well, to help Remy, I had to pretend to pursue Elisa for a while.”
Kiera responded with surprise, “So, I had a rival in love too!”
Julian quickly clarified, “Elisa wasn’t a rival. She didn’t have feelings for me, and her family didn’t either. When Mrs. Stone saw me trying to court Elisa, she immediately approved of Elisa and Remy’s relationship. To her, I was like a disaster waiting to happen—not someone suitable for her precious daughter.”
Amused, Kiera pressed on, “Tell me more—why did you pretend to go after Elisa to help the Fifth Young Master Johnson?”
Julian candidly explained the entire situation, wanting to clear up any potential misunderstandings between them.
Kiera laughed and said, “Your parents must’ve thought you were serious about Elisa. I didn’t expect this from you!”
“Wifey, don’t misunderstand,” Julian said, a bit worried.
Kiera smiled. “I’m not misunderstanding anything. Do you think I’m confused? I’ve met Miss Stone and Young Master Johnson—they’re completely in love with each other. Why would either of them be interested in you?”
Julian nodded, relieved. “Exactly. Elisa never liked me. She had feelings for Zachary for years but gave up after he got married. Elisa can be a bit fiery and has a reputation in our social circle, but her values are strong. Even after Zachary married Serenity in a whirlwind romance, Elisa stood up for him when they had conflicts. She accepted that he was her cousin-in-law and sincerely wished them well. I think that shows a lot of grace.”
“Yes, she seems genuinely happy now,” Kiera added. In her eyes, Remy was a much better match for Elisa than Zachary. Remy’s patience and kindness complemented Elisa’s fiery spirit, unlike the reserved and distant Zachary.
Serenity, after all, was the only one who could warm Zachary’s heart and change him. It was all fate—marriage was a matter of destiny.
As they discussed these love stories, they arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau. Encouraged by the elders to get an early start, they arrived just as the staff began their workday.
There was no line at the marriage registration office, but the divorce line was already long.
Noticing this, Kiera commented, “When they got married, they must have been full of hope. They just couldn’t manage their marriage well.”
“There are many reasons,” Julian said thoughtfully, holding her hand. “Some marriages fail due to broken trust, infidelity, family conflicts, or, most commonly, issues between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. Marriage isn’t just about two people—it’s about two families coming together.” He squeezed her hand gently and added, “But let’s not dwell on them. We’re here to start our journey together, to support each other through everything, and to grow old together.”
Kiera smiled happily and nodded.
They completed the marriage registration process smoothly. After receiving their marriage certificates, Kiera turned to Julian and asked, “Do you mind if I share this with our friends?”
“Of course not. I want to share it too,” Julian replied, smiling as he held up the marriage certificate.
He had finally won her heart. From this moment on, Julian was no longer just Julian—he was a married man.
Married At First Sight Chapter 3832
Chapter 3832Kiera snapped a photo of their marriage certificate along with a picture of the newlywed couple. She first shared it with her family group chat to inform them of her and Julian’s marriage.
Her parents and brothers immediately sent their congratulations in the group.
Next, she posted it to her social media circle, which mostly consisted of family friends and a few old classmates. She received another wave of well-wishes.
Mrs. Caron, Kiera’s mother, finally felt a sense of relief. With her daughter now married, she shifted her focus to encouraging her two sons to settle down as well.
Mrs. Caron had always worried that Kiera wouldn’t marry, mainly due to Kiera’s strong personality and exceptional skills. When the local matchmakers introduced potential suitors, many men hesitated to meet Kiera, fearing they might not match her level of competence. Despite her great achievements, good looks, and respectable family background, Kiera struggled to find a match, leaving Mrs. Caron constantly anxious about her daughter’s future.
Kiera, on the other hand, felt frustrated by her mother’s relentless pressure, especially since her two brothers were still single. She couldn’t understand why her mother targeted only her.
When Julian first visited Kiera’s home, Mrs. Caron instantly warmed to him, seeing him as a perfect son-in-law. Over time, her hopes turned into reality, and Julian officially became part of the family.
After seeing Kiera’s post, Serenity messaged Liberty to inform her that Julian and Kiera had received their marriage certificate and asked Liberty when she would be returning home.
Liberty was busy at work when she got the message. She responded with a voice note, saying, “The day before the Civil Affairs Bureau closes, Duncan and I will go to finalize the formalities. It won’t take long. I’m tied up at work for now, so I’ll need you to look after Sonny for a few more days. If he misses his dad, feel free to take him to the Brown family’s home for a couple of days to keep them from complaining that I’m keeping him from them.”
Liberty felt frustrated by the Browns’ complaints. After divorcing Hank, she never spoke ill of him in front of Sonny. Although Hank had been unfaithful and failed as a husband, he had always cared for Sonny and took his role as a father seriously. Since the divorce, he had become even more attentive to his son.
Now, as Liberty prepared to marry Duncan, she hoped Sonny would bond with him like a father figure. However, she had no intention of undermining Hank’s role as Sonny’s biological father. The Browns were always welcome to see Sonny, and Liberty never interfered with their interactions. She only required that Sonny agreed to stay with them, ensuring he had a say in the matter.
Liberty continued, “Seren, please give my best wishes to Young Master Bucham and Miss Caron. I’ll definitely make time to attend their wedding.”
“I will, sister. You take care of your work,” Serenity replied. “Zachary and I are heading to the Bucham family for dinner. By the way, Sonny didn’t want to stay with the Browns for a few days. After we returned from the Johnson family, we ran into Hank at the airport. He was picking up guests and had a brief talk with Sonny, which made Sonny feel down for a bit, but he’s okay now.”
Not wanting to worry Liberty, Serenity didn’t mention what Hank said to Sonny over the phone. She planned to discuss it face-to-face with Liberty when she returned, so Liberty could have a direct conversation with Hank. It was crucial that Sonny’s mental and emotional health not be compromised, and Serenity hoped the Browns would stop saying negative things about Liberty and Duncan in front of the child.
The sisters ended their call quickly.
Meanwhile, Hank had a lengthy discussion with his parents when he returned home that evening. Whether it would change their behavior remained to be seen.
Married At First Sight Chapter 3833
Chapter 3833Hank’s parents had always favored Chelsea, a bias that wasn’t new and unlikely to change.
Mr. Brown had softened slightly; when he learned that Serenity was the York family’s eldest daughter, he regretted agreeing to Hank’s marriage to Jessica. After everything that had happened, he believed Liberty was the only one truly suitable for Hank. But it was too late; there was no going back for Hank.
Chelsea returned to her parents’ home with Lucas. As she stepped inside, she spoke to her mother, who was relaxing on the sofa watching TV, “Mom, I heard that Liberty and Duncan are getting married soon. The Lewis family is already preparing for the wedding. Once Liberty comes back from Jensburg, she’ll probably get a marriage certificate with Duncan.”
Mrs. Brown’s expression remained cold. “It was bound to happen. Why do you keep bringing her up? Even if she’s becoming a part of the wealthy Lewis family, it has nothing to do with us. Hank is still tied to that vile Jessica. I’ve told him to divorce her, but he won’t listen. I don’t know what kind of spell she’s cast on him. She nearly killed him, yet he refuses to leave her.”
Mrs. Brown didn’t believe Hank still had any love for Jessica. She felt his resistance to divorce was because he didn’t want to give them false hope, making them think they could push him toward Liberty again.
Chelsea continued, “Mom, if Liberty marries into the Lewis family as their fourth daughter-in-law and Sonny lives with her, do you think he’ll change his last name to Lewis? If he doesn’t, then the Lewis family’s wealth won’t benefit him. But if he does inherit part of their estate, even if it’s only a fraction, it’ll be a substantial amount. Sonny is still my nephew and your grandson. If he has money, it could improve our lives. We can’t ask Liberty for money ourselves, but Sonny is different. He’s family.
“Mom, why don’t you bring Sonny to stay with us for a few days? I even brought Lucas along so the two boys can spend time together and bond.”
Mrs. Brown stared at her daughter thoughtfully before responding, “Hank had a long talk with me and your father the other night. He told us not to keep scheming around Sonny or trying to use him to get money. He said it could harm Sonny’s development, both physically and mentally.
“Sonny is only three or four years old. As his grandmother, I want what’s best for him. Hank’s words made me think. We missed out on Liberty, and that’s our fault. We can’t blame anyone else, and we have to live with that. Liberty is fortunate to have found a way into a wealthy family.”
It was their family’s loss, she thought, as they had driven away a good daughter-in-law, thinking Hank would be happier with Jessica. Who would have guessed it would turn out like this?
“Who could have imagined Serenity’s sudden marriage would be to the eldest son of the York family, worth billions?”
Chelsea pushed further. “But, Mom, we can’t just sit back and do nothing. Liberty is one thing, but Sonny is still part of the Brown family. If we don’t build a bond with him now, he might not consider us family when he grows up. Soon, he’ll be seen as the Lewis family’s grandson. Duncan treats him as his own, and with his wealth, Sonny could inherit a fortune—even if Duncan and Liberty have their own child. This could be our one chance to improve our situation. Don’t you think we should take it?”
Chelsea continued, “Mom, Sonny is your only grandson, while you have three granddaughters. Sonny has a promising future, but his cousins might not be as fortunate. How can you bear to see Sonny living in luxury while his cousins have nothing? Even if my husband and I work our whole lives, we’ll never match the wealth of the Lewis family.”
Married At First Sight Chapter 3834
Chapter 3834
Chelsea silently cursed Hank for failing to understand the situation and not working to repair his relationship with Sonny. Instead, he had even managed to convince his parents to stop siding with her.
When Chelsea thought of Sonny’s bright future—living in a big house, driving luxury cars, inheriting a major company—she couldn’t help but feel bitter. In contrast, her own children might find decent jobs but would likely only have modest, nine-to-five lives with incomes far below what Sonny might casually spend on meals.
Consumed by jealousy, Chelsea felt increasingly desperate to have Lucas and Sonny build a strong brotherly bond.
“Mom, why don’t we try to get custody of Sonny?” she suggested. “If Sonny lives with us, Liberty and Serenity won’t abandon him and will support the Brown family. Sonny would grow closer to us, and when he’s successful, he’d remember the Browns.”
Mrs. Brown motioned for Lucas to go play, and when he had left, she knocked Chelsea on the forehead. Chelsea pulled away, but Mrs. Brown pinched her cheek, scolding her quietly, “Get those ideas out of your head. You’re only thinking about your own kids, using Sonny for their sake. Sonny is your nephew, and you’re treating him as a pawn, hoping to drag him down.”
She continued, “No wonder Sonny tells Hank he doesn’t like his aunt and grandmother. I was influenced by you, talking negatively about Liberty and Duncan in front of Sonny, and now he resents me.”
Chelsea defended herself. “What parent doesn’t look out for their children? Mom, you’re calling me selfish, and I admit it—I want the best for my kids. Is that wrong?”
“You’re not wrong to want the best for your kids, but you shouldn’t do it by using Sonny,” Mrs. Brown replied. “If you want good lives for your children, then raise them well and teach them to be capable. Then they’ll have a better future on their own.”
Mrs. Brown was firm. Hank had told her that if they kept badmouthing Sonny’s family in front of him, he would speak to Liberty about changing Sonny’s last name to Lewis. Once that happened, Sonny would belong to the Lewis family, and as long as Hank didn’t require Sonny’s financial support, no one could force it.
Mrs. Brown feared that if Sonny’s surname changed, he’d be lost to them. Hank had also made it clear that Sonny would have the best chance if he stayed with Liberty. If Liberty and Duncan had their own child, Sonny would still be treated well, but Duncan’s attention would naturally lean toward his own child.
If Sonny was capable and respectable, Duncan would never treat him poorly. But if the Browns dragged Sonny down, Duncan might cut him off, leaving Sonny with nothing.
In the end, Mrs. Brown, who had helped raise Sonny and loved him dearly, realized what was best. Sonny was her only grandson, and faced with a choice, she ultimately put his future and well-being first.
Married At First Sight Chapter 3835
Chapter 3835″I never took advantage of Sonny. I just believe that Hank only sees Sonny as his child. Hank and I are siblings, which makes Sonny and Lucas close cousins. It’s important for Sonny to spend more time with his cousins, especially since he’ll have brothers in the future. If Sonny faces any challenges, we’ll be there to support him so he won’t have to face anything alone.”
Chelsea sensed that Hank had shared something with his parents, and it changed Mrs. Brown’s tone. She was now more focused on Sonny.
She had stopped wanting to help Lucas fight for his future.
Mrs. Brown looked at Chelsea and chuckled lightly before turning her gaze to her grandson, Lucas, whom she had raised.
Lucas was a mischievous boy, always restless. In a short time, he had already rummaged through the entire house.
“Just look at Lucas now and think about Sonny’s temperament,” Mrs. Brown said. “Sonny has his moments of mischief, but he’s more sensible. He’s so composed for his age, and he’ll only grow steadier. Even if he faces problems, he won’t need your help. In fact, it’s better if you don’t get in Sonny’s way when he’s dealing with issues.
With Lucas’s personality, I worry he’ll be a troublemaker as he grows up. If he’s with Sonny, I fear he might bring Sonny down. Besides, Sonny will have other cousins in the future, and the children born to Serenity will be his cousins too. If he needs help, there will be plenty of people to support him. The best we can do is not hold him back.
Chelsea, I know you’re my daughter, and I understand what you’re thinking. I want to make it clear today: don’t set your sights on Sonny’s future. I have only one grandson, Sonny, and I don’t want him to feel distanced from me, his biological grandmother, because of your issues.”
After Hank’s long discussion with them, Mrs. Brown had given the situation a lot of thought.
For years, she and her husband had been helping their daughter Chelsea and son-in-law George manage their family and children, while also footing the bill, allowing Chelsea and George to save their own money.
In the past, Hank had a good income and would give Chelsea $5,000 a month for living expenses—plenty for her to live on in her hometown. But they ended up giving that money to Repton’s family instead.
Chelsea had grown accustomed to relying on her parents, even in her middle age, and now she wanted to lean on her nephew.
She took advantage of the situation without considering Hank’s feelings. Back when Liberty was still Mrs. Brown’s daughter-in-law, Chelsea often stirred the pot, telling Liberty and Hank how lucky Liberty was for not having to do much after marrying Hank—just giving birth and raising children.
Her comments strained Hank and Liberty’s relationship and made Mrs. Brown dislike Liberty more and more.
If it weren’t for Chelsea’s meddling, Hank might not have strayed so quickly. Had they not cheated and divorced, the Brown family could have moved up in the world thanks to Serenity’s support.
But that was all in the past now.
Ever since Mrs. Brown learned that Serenity was the eldest daughter-in-law of the York family, she had regretted her choices deeply. It had been two years since Hank and Liberty divorced, and her regrets were pointless.
She even considered encouraging Hank to remarry Liberty, but Liberty no longer had feelings for him.
They had known each other for years, been married for three, and had a son together, but it all ended in divorce.
Who was to blame?
Family issues played a significant role.
It was her fault, her daughter’s fault, and Hank’s fault too.
Chelsea muttered, “Even so, Mom, you and Sonny aren’t close.”
After a moment of silence, Mrs. Brown replied, “Even if Sonny and I aren’t close, he at least calls me ‘grandma’ when he sees me. Right now, he doesn’t even do that. Don’t underestimate him because he’s young. After the New Year, he’ll be four years old. He understands a lot for his age. He’s incredibly smart, thanks to the great genes he inherited from Hank and Liberty. They were both very sharp.”
Married At First Sight Chapter 3836
Chapter 3836Liberty wasn’t naïve. Before her marriage, her career was thriving—better than Hank’s, in fact.
What were they thinking back then?
They wanted to hold Liberty back and keep her from surpassing Hank. So, after they tied the knot, she was quickly persuaded to quit her job and stay home to focus on pregnancy and raising their child. She became a housewife, losing not just her job but her sense of self. She dedicated her life to her husband and son, slowly fading into the background.
Their family changed Liberty bit by bit, but they treated her poorly.
In the end, they lost Liberty, who had actually been a wonderful daughter-in-law. Now, she was someone the Brown family couldn’t afford to overlook.
Mrs. Brown sighed. “Chelsea, your father and I are getting older. We can’t be with you forever to help. As parents, we need to think about our children’s futures. You know Hank’s situation—look at the life he’s living now. I can see you love your brother, and you share a strong bond. You have a happy family now, with combined savings of several million, and your business is doing well.
You have three children to raise. Take good care of them, and one day, you and your husband will have support in your old age without worrying about day-to-day needs. Look at Hank now. He’s alone; his son isn’t around. His income barely covers living expenses and Sonny’s child support. Sonny is Hank’s only child. When Hank gets older, he’ll have to rely solely on Sonny.”
Mrs. Brown couldn’t let Sonny grow to resent their family or his father. He was Hank’s future support.
“Going forward, don’t scheme against Sonny or interfere in his life. When he visits the Brown house, don’t talk about building brotherly bonds in front of him.”
Chelsea muttered, “Liberty has plenty of money now, yet she still expects Hank to pay child support for Sonny. Does she really care about that? Even if Hank doesn’t support Sonny, he’s still his biological father. When Hank gets old, if Sonny doesn’t help him, he could always sue for being unfilial.”
Mrs. Brown slapped Chelsea on the shoulder. “What are you saying? I raised you, and I’ll care for you when I’m old. That’s what having children is for. Sonny is Hank and Liberty’s son; they share the responsibility of raising him.
No matter how wealthy Liberty is, that’s her money. Hank, as a father, must fulfill his role. He didn’t raise Sonny when he was little, so how can he expect Sonny to care for him when he’s old? Suing Sonny will only ruin their father-son relationship.”
For now, Sonny would still happily call Hank “Dad” when he saw him.
Liberty wouldn’t speak ill of Hank in front of Sonny.
Even though Serenity has her reservations about the Brown family, she wouldn’t say anything negative about them in front of Sonny.
As long as no one keeps badmouthing Hank around Sonny, there can still be a bond between father and son.
Sonny would take on his responsibilities as a son in the future and care for Hank when he’s older.
Mrs. Brown needed to think about her son’s future.
“Chelsea, relationships are a two-way street, even between a father and son. Don’t say things like that again. Be careful your brother doesn’t hear you; he might not let you back home. Consider how much you’ve benefited from your parents’ home. Hank has always been supportive of you as his sister, and now that he’s not giving you any advantages, you want to take advantage of Sonny.”
Married At First Sight Chapter 3837
Chapter 3837Mrs. Brown added, “From now on, you need to stop thinking about Sonny. He’s growing up fast and understands more than you realize. Don’t upset Serenity, or your family’s stable building materials store will struggle to stay afloat.”
Chelsea’s expression changed as she recalled the real reason behind the couple’s job loss.
“Also, if Liberty and Duncan get married, you better not show up to cause any trouble,” Mrs. Brown warned, concerned that Chelsea might do something reckless.
Chelsea frowned. “Mom, do you really think I enjoy stirring up trouble? Liberty isn’t the same person she used to be; we can’t control her anymore. I’m not some reckless kid who’s going to show up and cause chaos. I’m afraid of losing everything too.”
Chelsea couldn’t shake off the envy she felt toward Liberty, who had once been bullied but managed to marry into wealth just two years after her divorce.
Mrs. Brown, understanding Chelsea’s character well, said earnestly, “Think about who saved Lucas when he was in trouble. We should never forget to show gratitude and act with moral integrity. Focus on doing good for your children.”
“If anything happens to your kids in the future, you’ll find no one to help you, and there will be consequences. Look at our family now; we’re not what we used to be. This is our reckoning—what happens when we fail to appreciate Liberty and let her marriage to Hank fall apart.”
Chelsea grumbled internally. Liberty’s success felt like a slap in the face, especially since it was tied to Serenity’s good fortune.
If Serenity hadn’t married into money, Liberty might still be struggling, and their family wouldn’t be in such disarray.
What kind of reckoning was this? It felt more like Serenity’s vengeance—just a way to express her anger toward her sister.
Still, Chelsea couldn’t voice her thoughts. After all, Serenity had saved Lucas. Without the two sisters, she might have lost him for good.
“Mom, I understand. I won’t say anything else. I’ll let Sonny make his own decisions, and I’ll teach Lucas to be considerate. It would be great for the brothers to bond, but if they can’t, I won’t force it. Let’s just step back and not pressure them.
It’s best that Hank and that terrible woman are getting divorced. Unless she changes her ways and works to reduce her sentence, she’ll be in prison for a long time.
Hank is still young—just in his thirties. If he divorces and remarries, he could have more kids, and Sonny would have brothers and sisters.”
Chelsea believed that even if they had different mothers, they’d still be brothers, sharing the same father.
Mrs. Brown replied, “Do you think we haven’t tried to persuade Hank? He just won’t listen. He insists that even if he divorces, he won’t remarry or have more kids. He’s happy with just Sonny.”
Chelsea rolled her eyes, feeling helpless. She knew Hank had some lingering feelings for Liberty and regretted his choices, but it was too late.
Their family had missed out on a chance at happiness.
After pushing Liberty away, they had lost their blessing.
In Jensburg, Liberty sneezed repeatedly in her office.
Duncan, who was quietly reading a book nearby, immediately closed it and rolled his wheelchair over to her.
Seeing Duncan just pushing the wheelchair instead of sitting in it made Liberty nervous. She quickly got up to help him.
Married At First Sight Chapter 3838
Chapter 3838“I can walk by myself,” Duncan insisted, refusing Liberty’s help.
He could take a few steps, but he didn’t walk like a typical person.
“I have something to support me, so it’s much easier to move around,” he explained as Liberty stood by, watching him approach.
“What’s wrong?” Duncan asked gently. “Are you okay? You’ve been sneezing a lot; maybe you caught a cold.”
Duncan wanted to show he cared for her, just as she cared for him. He longed for a relationship built on mutual support, understanding, and trust.
Liberty realized why he had come over. “I sneeze occasionally, but you don’t need to worry. I’ve been in Jensburg for a while now, so I’ve adapted to the winter here,” she reassured him.
“Maybe someone is talking bad about me behind my back, which is why I keep sneezing,” she joked.
Duncan, ever the protector, replied, “Whoever that person is, they dare to speak ill of my fiancée?”
Liberty shot him a playful look, her face lighting up with happiness.
Duncan was fiercely protective of her, something she hadn’t experienced before. When she had been with Hank, he hadn’t stood up for her like this.
The contrast between genuine love and the façade of love was striking.
“Unless it’s your ex-in-laws, I can’t think of anyone else who would criticize you,” Duncan speculated.
Liberty shook her head. “Don’t keep thinking about the Brown family. I have no ties to them anymore. We’ve been divorced for two years now.”
She had long since given up on Hank, completely moving on after their toxic relationship.
After Hank had proposed and mistreated her, she had finally decided enough was enough. Now, her life was improving every day, and she didn’t want to dwell on her ex-husband.
Duncan’s voice turned sour. “You knew him longer than I’ve known you. You were married and had a wonderful son, Sonny. Even though you’re divorced now, I can’t help but feel a bit jealous that Hank once had you. It stings to think I didn’t know you first.”
Liberty playfully pinched his cheek, smiling. “If you had met me first, you might not have liked me at all. Why be jealous of him? My whole life belongs to you. Hank and I were only married for a few years, but I have decades ahead with you. If anyone should be jealous, it’s Hank, not you.”
Duncan smiled back. “Exactly! I’ll have you for the rest of my life, far longer than Hank ever did. I shouldn’t be jealous of him; he should be envious of me! He’s probably saying bad things about us behind our backs. The news of our upcoming wedding must have reached the Brown family by now.”
Even if they hadn’t heard, Duncan was determined to let them know.
“When we set the wedding date, I’ll personally invite Hank just to make him jealous,” Duncan declared.
Liberty laughed. “…Do what you want.”
Duncan took her hand and kissed her gently on the lips.
Liberty pulled her hand back, blushing. “This is the office! You should be more serious.”
She didn’t want him to take advantage of their setting with kisses.
While the sweetness was nice, if someone saw them, she would feel embarrassed.
In front of Duncan, she felt like she was experiencing her first love all over again, and she was a little shy.
Duncan loved spoiling her.
Married At First Sight Chapter 3839
Chapter 3839
The phone rang, echoing through the room.
Liberty picked up.
The secretary’s voice came through, letting her know that Kathryn had arrived.
“Please show Miss Farrell in,” Liberty replied, setting the phone back down.
“Kathryn’s here,” she told Duncan.
Unfazed, Duncan responded, “Let her come in. We have nothing to hide. No reason to avoid her.”
Everyone in Wiltspoon and Jensburg knew that Duncan was Liberty’s fiancé. It wasn’t unusual for Kathryn to see him in Liberty’s office. After all, Duncan was a shareholder in Liberty’s company, even if he wasn’t involved in its day-to-day operations. He trusted Liberty to manage it well.
Liberty smiled but didn’t say anything. Instead, she headed to the tea room to brew some tea.
It wasn’t long before Kathryn walked in, followed by Pedro, who was carrying several large and small gift bags.
Liberty emerged from the tea room just as they entered. She raised an eyebrow at the sight and joked, “Kathryn, did you really need to bring all this?”
Kathryn greeted Duncan first, then motioned for Pedro to set down the bags. She sat on the couch, eyes on Liberty. “Aren’t you heading back to Wiltspoon soon? I brought some New Year gifts for you, along with wedding gifts for you and Mr. Lewis. I might not make it to your wedding, so I wanted to give these to you ahead of time. You’ll be getting your marriage certificate when you get back, so now’s as good a time as any.”
Liberty poured tea for Kathryn and Pedro before pushing Duncan’s chair over to join her. She filled a cup for Duncan and took her seat beside him.
“If it’s a wedding gift from an elder, I’ll accept it with gratitude,” Liberty said warmly.
Though Kathryn was technically younger, her status made her an elder in some respects.
“I’ve prepared some New Year gifts for you too. I’ll have them sent over later,” Liberty added. Fair was fair.
Their relationship was complex—sometimes friends, sometimes rivals—but they were always connected by family ties.
Kathryn smiled, a touch of sadness in her expression. “You don’t have to bother with that.”
The smile faded, and after a pause, she said, “There won’t be any real New Year celebration for us this year.”
Even if her mother’s fate was justified, Kathryn and her siblings were still mourning. It was hard to feel festive after losing a parent.
Liberty looked at her with concern. “Are your brothers still arguing with you over the inheritance?”
She knew that Kathryn’s brothers, Marco included, were still fighting over their mother Clarissa’s estate.
Everyone in Jensburg was aware of the fracture within the Farrell family after Clarissa’s death. It had even sparked a power struggle among the family’s descendants. People were speculating whether the next head of the family would be Kathryn or Liberty.
Nearly everyone put their money on Liberty.
Her backing was too strong.
Kathryn, while knowledgeable about the Farrell Group and the family’s affairs, lacked the same support. Her reputation had taken a hit—not because she wasn’t capable, but because she was Clarissa’s daughter. The media’s exposure of Clarissa’s deeds had left a mark, and it was clear that the family hadn’t fully healed.
Married At First Sight Chapter 3840
Chapter 3840
Why would anyone support Kathryn to take over, even if Kathryn was much kinder than her mother?
People remembered.
Decades ago, when Clarissa first gained power, she acted warm and accommodating with the Farrell family. But once she secured her position, she began eliminating opposition, stripping power from influential relatives, and consolidating authority.
So, they weren’t about to let her daughter follow in her footsteps.
Liberty had the strongest backing.
Unless she chose to step aside, the next head of the Farrell family would be Liberty.
Everyone in the Farrell Group was already bracing for this change. After the New Year, they expected to have a new leader.
Holden and his three sons knew it too, which is why they scrambled to split up the family assets and leave Jensburg. They feared Liberty’s retaliation and wanted to avoid being targets of her influence.
Without their mother as their pillar, Marco and his brothers lost their standing in Jensburg. The friends who once surrounded them had pulled away.
The ones still sticking around were only interested in finding out how much wealth they’d end up with, hoping to rope them into so-called “investments,” which were really just schemes to drain them of cash and disappear.
When Kathryn talked about her father and brothers, her face fell. “They’re demanding to split the family holdings. There are two versions of my mother’s will—one that’s common knowledge and another added more recently.
“The second one was revised last year. They’re accusing me of working with the lawyer to change it, claiming it’s fake so they don’t get much of the estate. If they don’t trust it, then let’s take it to court. I’m ready whenever they are.”
Liberty nodded. “The second will must not favor them.”
If it did, Marco and the others wouldn’t be so quick to call it a fake.
Kathryn confirmed, “The first will gave me 50% of my mom’s private assets, while each of my brothers got 10%, and the last 20% was split among my nephews. My father didn’t get any share. Mom said all her personal property came from what she inherited from my grandmother before she got married. It’s considered premarital property.
“So, my dad wasn’t entitled to a share. She made him sign an agreement at their wedding—whether they divorced or she passed away first, he wouldn’t have any claim to the Farrell family assets, including her personal holdings.
“My dad is realistic; he hasn’t argued or fought with me about it. But behind the scenes, he’s been orchestrating my brothers’ moves, pushing them to challenge me. The will also states that for my brothers to keep their shares, they must support my father. If they don’t, I can reclaim what they’ve received. Until he passes away, they only get the interest on their shares. The principal stays with me.
“Mom did plan for my dad’s financial future. Maybe there was no love left between them, but after decades of marriage, there was still some loyalty.”
Kathryn’s eyes clouded as she recalled the fights between her parents. Her father’s bitterness over her mother’s actions was something she’d witnessed firsthand.
She wasn’t sure who was more at fault. Her father’s infidelity was wrong, but her mother’s behavior had issues too. Until her last breath, her mother had loved Mr. Jimenez.
Mr. Jimenez, significantly older than Clarissa, could have been her father if he’d married and had children early. Despite his age, Clarissa had been drawn to him, perhaps because of the kindness he once showed her—kindness rooted in his affection for her older sister.
Kathryn sighed, pushing away those memories. Dwelling on the past was too painful.