Mrs. Wooten served breakfast, and Meredith poured Justin a ss of milk, “This is your first meal here.”


    She was delighted, as if a family member had unexpectedly visited, giving her a sense of belonging.


    “Is Terrence not here?” Justin looked around.


    “He’s on a business trip, hasn’t returned yet,” Meredith replied. “He’s busy with work; he can’t be here all the time. What’s the issue on your end? Is it Fiona?”


    “No, it’s not her,” Justin stammered, the words difficult to find. “It’s about the apartment. I’ve been thinking, and I decided to return it to you. Keeping it is of no use to me.”


    “What’s going on?” Meredith asked, puzzled. “That apartment is right next to the school. Didn’t you say it was perfect for Gemma to go there? And with your whole family, you need a ce to stay. I gave it to you; just live there. Why are you returning it now? Have your parents gone back home?”


    Justin felt simply too embarrassed to discuss his family’s sordid affairs in front of Meredith and felt it would be disgraceful to mention it all.


    He lied, “Yes, they’re going back. I won’t need the apartment, and it’s worth over ten million dors, Meredith. It’s too valuable, and I’m uneasy keeping it. Now that I’m doing well at thew firm, I’ll be able to buy my own apartment in a few years. I’d rather earn it on my own.”


    Meredith understood, “Alright, then when your parents leave, return the apartment to me.”This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    “They’ll be leaving soon,” Justin continued his deception, “We can start the paperwork in a couple of days.”


    Currently, the property deed was hidden by Mr. Thatcher, and Justin would need to initiate procedures to rece it, which would take time.


    Seeing Justin so eager, Meredith sensed something was amiss but chose not to pry or expose his urgency.


    Previously, when Justin mentioned Mr. Thatcher and others returning to their hometown, Meredith felt it was suspicious. Now, with his rush to return the apartment, it seemed likely tied to that.


    Meredith nodded, “Okay.”


    With her agreement, Justin felt relieved, thinking that once the apartment was returned, Mr. Thatcher and Tristan would cease their machinations.


    After breakfast, Justin left the house and encountered Azure, returning from a morning run.


    Dressed in sportswear with her hair tied up, Azure looked stunning as she appeared before Justin, herplexion rosy and vibrant from exercise, her dancer’s poise undeniable.


    Azure nced at Justin dismissively and walked past him into the house.


    Justin felt it impolite to linger and quickly departed.


    Inside, Azure confronted Meredith, “Who was that man? With Terrence not here, you’re bringing men home?”


    Ignoring the usatory tone, Meredith responded, “Azure, eavesdropping isn’t very bing. For your own health, you might want to do it less. It gets too exciting for you. We’re married; whatever we do is our business.”


    Azure, embarrassed, retorted, “Shameless.”


    Meredith countered with a coldugh, “You move into my house, trying to edge in as the other woman between me and my husband, and you call me shameless?”


    “In love, the one who isn’t loved is the third wheel,” Azure dered boldly. “Since I’m living here, it’s clear what Terrence wants.”


    Preferring not to waste words on Azure, Meredith left for the restaurant as Grandma Sterling had called, and she needed assistance with another live stream on her new YouTube channel.


    Azure’s stay was limited to three months, and Meredith chose to ignore her antics; engaging would only encourage more.


    Meanwhile, Justin returned to hisw firm, settling into his routine and meeting clients. Backed by the Sterling Corporation, he thrived at the firm, enjoying substantial benefits.


    As he prepared for lunch after a busy morning, his ns were disrupted when Mr. Thatcher, apanied by several reporters, burst into the office.