Twenty years of feelings can’t be cast aside so easily.

As for Poppy, he will personally go to apologize on behalf of Meredith Ford.

He’ll atone for the sins she committed.

Sebastian Ford knows that his cousin is rather stubborn; his heart isn’t wicked, just too kind, which makes him hold onto a glimmer of hope for Meredith Ford, bearing everything himself.

Just as he said, different standpoints mean he can’t judge, but he’ll do everything he can to protect Poppy.

"Cousin, you need to be clear, you can’t change Meredith Ford’s current situation. It’s the Ford family that’s suppressing her. Besides mom and dad, none of us ten brothers will let her have another chance to come back."

"I know, don’t worry. I won’t abet evil. These current punishments are what she deserves. What I want is simply to keep her alive and turn her into a good person."

He hopes to give her a chance, transform her, so she’ll just live an ordinary life without any association with the Ford or Jarvis families.

From then on, they’ll be people from two different worlds.

"Alright, I hope you follow through. I won’t pursue past issues, but if you harm Poppy again for her, don’t blame me for disregarding brotherly bonds."

Joshua Jarvis nodded, "Alright."

Once said, there’s no need to continue, instead, he asked, "Now that we’ve talked, why did you come to find me this time?"

"Now, there’s nothing anymore."

Earlier, he wanted to understand why Meredith Ford was kicked out, looking for a way to persuade him to talk with his aunt, even if not blood-related, having lived together for twenty years, there’s some emotion there, not just throw it all away.

But now, there’s really no need to persuade anymore nor can the words be said.

The truth he understood was that his aunt never expelled Meredith Ford because of their lack of blood relation, but because the things she did were unforgivable.

In his shoes, a daughter anticipated for twenty years nearly lost her life at her hands, it would be unforgivable too.

Thinking of his sister who is missing, his heart once again pained, he looked at him, "I just have one request."

Sebastian Ford replied, "As long as it’s unrelated to Meredith Ford and won’t hurt Tiana, I can agree to anything."

Joshua Jarvis shook his head, "It’s unrelated to her, nor will it hurt Poppy. It’s about my mother, her health is not good. Please don’t tell her about my missing sister for now, give me some time to look."

"Don’t worry, your mother is also our aunt. We Ford family won’t do something that hurts loved ones and pleases enemies. Your sister is our cousin, we’ll use every resource to find her."

He bowed his head, voice weary, yet filled with deep gratitude, "Thank you."

"It’s just, now the matter has passed for twenty years, back then we were just children, investigating now will be difficult. Prepare for the worst possible outcome."

His voice was a bit hoarse, "I understand."

Sebastian Ford stood up, much more detached than at the start of their conversation, "Then I’m leaving."

He raised his gaze, softly asked, "Sebastian, can I see Poppy?"

Sebastian Ford hesitated almost not at all, shook his head, "No."

This answer was within his expectations.

Sebastian Ford added, "Until you’ve completely severed ties with Meredith Ford, with Poppy’s personality, she won’t want to see you, so there’s no need."

His emotions were extremely conflicted, a storm raged inside, heavily, he said, "I’m sorry."