The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 1477

"Why are you letting Grandma interfere in your marriage? Just why?" Cyrus shouted.

Startled by his sudden outburst, Ophelia scrambled for an excuse. "Mr. Reuben told you something, didn't he? Don't listen to him! He's not keen on seeing you growing closer to the Montclairs."

Cyrus laughed bitterly at her words, pointing at himself. "That's the most ridiculous joke I've ever heard, Mom. Look at me. I've accomplished nothing, and my grades are a disaster.

"Do you think I could have graduated without the family's financial support? You know better than anyone how mediocre I am.

"I'm so mediocre that I don't even fit in with the Whitman family! I'm dumb and pathetic. I don't possess the big-picture mindset like Dad or Uncle Taylor's business acumen.

"Compared to Wynter and her brothers, I'm just a total loser! Who would ever want to get close to someone like me?" Cyrus exclaimed with reddened eyes.

His heart still stung when he recalled how he nearly destroyed the Whitman family under the Wrays' influence.

Reuben felt distressed hearing Cyrus put himself down, yet he struggled to find the right words of comfort.

It appeared Cyrus had been bottling up his feelings for far too long. No child was willing to admit their mother's contemptibility, but the harsh reality had shattered Cyrus' worldview.

"Only my mom would believe your words. She's used to being your puppet, but not me. I have my own life and know what's right and wrong!" Cyrus snorted coldly, seemingly matured overnight.

Unable to stand Cyrus' defiance, Ophelia rebuked, "Have you gone mad, Cyrus? How can you speak to your grandma like that? She raised you! When you said you wanted to study abroad, she arranged for you to receive the best education!"

Cyrus jabbed a trembling finger at his chest and roared, "Did I ever ask for it? You all told me that studying abroad would be easier and that it wouldn't matter if I didn't learn much. After all, I'm the Whitman family's eldest grandchild, and the Montclairs would back me up.

"That was what Grandma taught me. I admit she had a point, but let me ask this—did she really do it for my sake, or was it all about the Montclair family? I'm not a fool!"