"I have a friend who needs me urgently; I'll go downstairs for a moment," Halueth pretended to be casual, attempting to lower Merlara's guard.
But Merlara was unwilling to let him go, especially at this critical moment. She hurriedly said, "Sign the papers first before you leave; it'll only take a few seconds. Your father is waiting for this money to save his life!"
Even the grandparents, who had been sitting silently on the side, got up and approached, unintentionally blocking Halueth's way.
"Sign it first, Ysandar, and then you can go," the grandmother also spoke.
The grandmother's face had been deeply lined with wrinkles over the years, which Halueth noticed when he glanced at her. Her long-lost gentle tone momentarily distracted him.
However, he quickly recalled her years of favoritism towards Merlara and Ylyndar, as well as her cold indifference towards him. Their urgency to make him sign the papers seemed to indicate a trap.
