Chapter 2251

“We can’t be careless about expanding the ancestral tombs. We should have a geomancer take a look first, just to be safe,” Robert said.

“So it sounds like you know one?” Nathaniel asked, playing along.

Robert nodded. “I do. A very good one. When our old master was buried, he handled everything.”

He paused, then added, “Nathaniel, if you trust me, why not leave this whole matter to me?”

Nathaniel put on a conflicted expression.

But Elena knew her son too well. The moment she saw how politely he was speaking to Robert, she sensed something was off.

She cut in immediately. “Brother, my son spent that much money, and now you’re saying we should hand everything over to you? That doesn’t sound appropriate.”

Robert’s expression stiffened.

“Your sister-in-law has a point,” he said after a moment. “How about this? I’ll cover half the cost. Nathaniel can transfer the deed to me, and I’ll handle the construction. As for the rest of the expenses, forget it.”

Nathaniel let out a silent, cold scoff.

Half the money—and Robert thought he could take the land?

He didn’t respond. Instead, he flicked a glance toward Elena.

She caught it instantly. “If you’re only paying half, then who does the land belong to? Nathaniel, or you?”

“And besides, we might be close now, but who’s to say the younger generation won’t fall out later? Didn’t Jon and Elliot already clash with Felix before? Even between brothers, accounts should be clear.”

Robert’s lips twitched. “Then what do you think would be appropriate, sister-in-law?”

Elena didn’t hold back. “Nathaniel secured the land you couldn’t. That already counts as doing the hard part. If you want full control, then forget half—you pay him the full amount. Then the land is yours.”

Robert frowned. That was ten times the market price.

“If you’re not willing, then forget it,” Elena continued coolly. “The land stays with us. And when we expand the ancestral tombs, they’ll be for the second branch of the family.”

Wren tugged at her sleeve. “We’re all family. Why say things like that?”

Robert quickly added, “Exactly. We’re family—talking about money like this hurts relationships.”

Elena let out a cold laugh. “Because we’re family, Nathaniel is offering it at cost. What, Robert? You’re still planning to take advantage of your own nephew?”

That hit hard.

Both Wren and Robert looked visibly uncomfortable.

After a moment, Robert seemed to steel himself. “Fine, sister-in-law. We’ll do it your way. I’ll buy the land at the original price. I may not be capable of much as an uncle, but I won’t let my nephew take a loss.”

He made it sound noble—but behind the scenes, he was already calculating.

By next month, that land wouldn’t just be worth ten times more—it could easily jump fiftyfold.

No matter how things played out, he’d still profit. And when the time came, he’d make sure to mock this family properly.

“Nathaniel, what do you think?” Robert asked.

“Uncle, it’s not that I don’t want to,” Nathaniel said calmly. “It’s just that since I was the one who bought the land, I think it’s better if I handle the expansion of the ancestral tombs myself.”

Robert stared at him, stunned.

So all that compromise and posturing had been for nothing.

“Nathaniel, how can you go back on your word like this?”

Before Nathaniel could respond, Cecilia spoke up. “Uncle, don’t make accusations. Nathaniel didn’t agree to anything just now.”

Elena still didn’t fully understand Nathaniel’s intentions, but she backed him without hesitation. “That’s right. That was all my idea—I didn’t even ask Nathaniel. If he doesn’t agree, then let’s drop it.”