?Chapter 249:


    Katrina scoffed lightly.


    “Silly girl, what does ast name really mean? If changing it can guarantee a life of wealth and privilege for both you and your child, does the name really matter?”


    She let out a coldugh.


    “Caiden is selfish and maniptive. If we don’t y our cards carefully, do you think he’ll willingly hand over the family fortune to you and the baby? Now that you’ve agreed to let the child take the Harper name, he’s thrilled. Dani won’t even cross his mind anymore. People like Caiden only care about securing their future, not the welfare of others.”


    As Katrina spoke, a gleam of malice shed in her eyes.


    “Joyce, no matter whatst name the child carries, they’ll always be yours. Blood ties can never be broken, and you must hold on to that truth for the rest of your life. Caiden doesn’t grasp this, which is why he turned his back on Dani. Listen—whether the child is a boy or a girl, the most important thing is that they respect and follow your lead. Names, loyalty, and affection from others are mere distractions. When you grow old, do you think your child will reject you because of ast name? A wealthy child ensures a secure future for you. Look at my mother. She’s reaping the benefits of having a daughter like me. Who wouldn’t envy her?”


    Joyce nodded, only partly grasping the full weight of the words.


    She had to make sure the baby lived a life of wealth and privilege. She would go to any lengths necessary to ensure their future was secure.


    Later that day, Caiden strode into the hospital with a lunchbox and a hefty book of baby names. He dered his mission to pick the perfect name for the newest addition to the Harper family.


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    Seated next to him, Katrina offered a warm smile as she yfully fed him slices of orange.


    “Joyce is truly selfless, isn’t she? To forgo her right to pass on her own family name and instead let the baby have yours? Honey, should her inws ever treat her unjustly over this decision, you mustn’t overlook it.”


    Behind his reading sses, Caiden thumbed through the book, shaking his head firmly.


    “That’s not going to happen. Joyce is doing so much for this family. If anyone even thinks of mistreating her, I’ll be the first to defend her.”


    Katrina exchanged a sly nce with Joyce, her lifted eyebrows and mischievous grin hinting at quiet triumph.


    “Exactly my point. It’s clear you cherish Joyce above all. And think about Dani and her aplishments. Would she really risk a fallout with her future inws just to ensure the Harper name lives on? Yet here is Joyce, showing her loyalty to you without hesitation.”


    Caiden didn’t nce away from the book, his voice cool andposed.


    “Trust me, I haven’t forgotten where my loyalties are.”


    Reassured, Katrina rose to go to the bathroom. By the time she returned, Caiden was already in the hallway, lost in lively conversation with his friends over the phone. Caiden was still gripping the book tightly. His tone was light, yet a subtle trace of pride colored his words.


    “Joyce is incredibly dedicated. The baby is hers. There’s no need for it to take my surname. Why not hers, right? But you know what her response was? She told me she felt so indebted to me for all the ways I’ve raised her, more than she could ever repay. She even quipped that had she been born a boy, she might have changed her surname to mine a long time ago. Now, she insists I should be the one to pick the baby’s name personally. I’ve been poring over this book since dawn and I’m still clueless, so I had to call you. Help me find a name that will bless the child with every possible good fortune!”


    Caiden reached out far and wide that afternoon, connecting with nearly everyone he could. His voice resonated down the hallway.


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