The Joyce Residence.

Julian Joyce furiously slammed the photos in his hand onto the table. "What is this!" he roared.

Leo Joyce picked up the photos from the table, glanced at them casually, and smirked. "They’re just a few pictures. Dad, if you think this isn’t enough, I have plenty more."

"You brat! I’m asking you who the young woman in these photos is!" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Oh. A girlfriend I happen to like," Leo Joyce answered nonchalantly, his head lowered as he intently studied the picture.

Seeing his son’s cavalier attitude only made Julian Joyce angrier. "When did you get a girlfriend? How is it that I know nothing about this?"

"I only decided to start seeing her a few days ago. But Dad, you’re going to interfere with my relationships, too?" At that, Leo Joyce looked up and studied his father.

With a grim expression, Julian Joyce cleared his throat. "It’s not that I want to interfere," he said sternly. "But this young woman in the photo—do you know who she is?"

"Hah, of course I know. How could I not know my own girlfriend? Dad, if you were just going to ask these questions, there was absolutely no need to drag me all the way here." With that, Leo Joyce, photos in hand, turned to leave.

Julian Joyce slammed his hand on the table again. "You brat, stop right there! I see you’re becoming more and more undisciplined!"

"Dad, if you just want to inquire about my girlfriend, you can easily have your own people look into it. I’m sure if you make one phone call right now, you’ll have Tiana’s file in your hands immediately."

Hearing this, Julian Joyce slammed his hand down on the table once more. "Leo, I don’t care if you’re just playing around or if you’re serious. You will break up with this girl immediately."

"Impossible," Leo Joyce replied, his tone resolute.

"If you won’t do it, then I’ll have to do it in your place."

"Dad, what do you people even want? What kind of girl do I have to like for you to be satisfied? First it was Amelia, and now Tiana?" Instead of showing anger, Leo Joyce let out a laugh. His lips curled in a mocking smile, but his eyes were filled with sorrow.

’All he wanted was to be with the person he liked. Why was it so difficult?’

"The Joyce Family isn’t one they can just marry into to raise their status," Julian Joyce said grimly, sinking back into his chair.

"Raise their status? You think Tiana is trying to social climb by being with me? Dad, the Grayson Family has an impeccable reputation. Who’s really marrying up here?"

"You damn fool! Do you even know what nonsense you’re spouting?"

"Of course I know what I’m saying. Dad, I’m just trying to tell you, the Grayson Family isn’t trying to social climb by associating with the Joyce Family. You say Tiana isn’t good enough for me? Well, let me tell you—it’s not that Tiana isn’t good enough for me. It’s that I, Leo Joyce, am not good enough for her."

Having said his piece, Leo Joyce stormed out of the study and slammed the door, ignoring the ugly, furious expression on Julian Joyce’s face.

Watching Leo Joyce leave, Julian Joyce looked ready to smash the table to bits. ’That unfilial son! That brat, he won’t be happy until he’s driven me to my grave!’

Aria Joyce was just coming upstairs when she saw her brother storm past, so angry he didn’t even greet her. Frowning in confusion, she glanced toward the study and headed that way.

The moment she entered, she saw how furious her father was. "Dad, what happened? Did you and Leo get into a fight?"

"Don’t talk to me about that brat. The very mention of his name infuriates me!"

"What exactly happened?" Aria Joyce asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.