Chapter 1434


    Mr. Sanders nced up, his gaze first falling on Maja, then shifting to Ian, his pupils shrinking fiercely,


    disbelief prompting him to rise from his seat.


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    His face betrayed such shock that one might suspect he''d seen a ghost.


    At the same moment, Mrs. Sanders also looked up, her expression equally incredulous. But they were


    formidable figures in their youth, and swiftly masked their emotions.


    It was the patriarch who spoke first.


    "Is this Maja?"


    Maja, unprovoked and therefore not disying her sharpness, stepped forward with a meek demeanor,


    bowing her head slightly.


    "Grandpa, Grandma."


    The Sanders'' family values were well-regarded; even though many were disgruntled by the shares she


    held, no one spoke out before the elders had their say.


    Even York, whose eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, didn''t dare act out of line at this critical


    moment.


    The presence of the two elders was so formidable it left everyone else gasping for air.


    Mr. Sanders nodded, taking a sip from the coffee on the table, appearing at least a decade younger


    than his peers.


    "When I handed over the Sanders family to Augus, I made it clear: the heir of the Sanders family has


    the right to handle anything, including the distribution of shares."


    York couldn''t hold back any longer.


    "What makes this girl worthy?"


    "Silence!"


    Mrs. Sanders''s voice rang out, stern andmanding.


    The reprimand made York shudder.


    Maja began to understand why Beck said the Sanders never fought among themselves.


    With strict family discipline, Beck''s casual ways must seem irresponsible to them, while Dn was the


    ideal sessor in their eyes.


    The authority of the family head was invible.


    The room fell silent for a moment, with York clenching his fists in frustration, yet not daring to speak


    further.


    Mr. Sanders continued.


    "So, Maja, you are now the head of the Sanders family, and as such, there is one rule you cannot


    break: you must marry a partner of our choosing."


    History was repeating itself. Augus had no choice but to marry Arlene, which was why Cynthia became


    Arlene.


    Who did the elders want her to marry now?


    Maja stiffened, her eyes wide with surprise.


    Beck quickly interjected.


    "Grandpa, I''ve never heard of this rule?"


    Mr. Sanders lowered hisshes, his face serene, "I''ll have a fortune-teller look into your destiny. If you


    and this gentleman here are notpatible, you cannot marry."


    The older they got, the more the elders believed in these practices.


    They had already sensed the rtionship between Maja and Ian. They hadn''t expressed approval or


    disapproval, only the need for this calction.


    Whatever the oue, it would be epted.


    Maja was about to protest when a warm hand took hold of hers.


    It was Ian, signaling her to avoid conflict for now, especially since the oue was still unknown.


    Moreover, the old couple''s reaction to seeing Ian''s face was off.


    They''d been in seclusion for years—could they possibly know Ian?


    Unlikely. Devoted to their faith, they''d tuned out from the outside world for over two decades. If not for


    the event, they likely would never have left their ind retreat.


    The authority of the elders was too great; not a soul in the room dared to oppose them.


    Beck wanted to say more but was halted by Maja''s tug.


    Clearly, as long as the elders were present, they had the final word in the Sanders household.