Chapter 29 Grandma Visits
“Ah?” Julia gazed at Jared’s hand, a perplexed expression playing across her features. What could that possibly signify?
Shiloh appeared equally befuddled.
Then, unexpectedly, the word “candy” escaped the man’s lips.
Upon hearing this word, Julia and Shiloh found themselves taken aback, struggling to believe what they’d just heard.
Jared, craving candy?
The notion was utterly startling–no, even a bit disconcerting, wasn’t it?
“Brother, I mean… don’t you have an aversion to sweets?” Shiloh’s astonishment left her stumbling over her words.
Jared, his expression impassive, turned his gaze toward Shiloh. “You’re not a fan of sweet treats either. Didn’t you just finish eating?”
Shiloh’s voice faltered as she replied, “Yes, but that’s different! The medicine I had was so bitter.”
“I can relate. There’s a hint of bitterness lingering in my mouth,” Jared casually replied, his demeanor devoid of emotional fluctuation.
The atmosphere settled into an uneasy silence, tinged with an eerie quality.
After a minute or so, Julia produced a milk candy from her pocket, placing it delicately into Jared’s hand.
“Is one enough?”
Jared eyed Julia’s pocket.
“Any more?”
Julia responded by pulling out a handful of candies and gently depositing them into Jared’s open palm. “Too many?”
Jared turned and made his way upstairs, candies in hand. He closed the door behind him, retreating to his room to indulge.
Julia stood motionless before the firmly shut door, her thoughts a bit tangled. She looked at Shiloh and inquired, “What’s up with your brother?”
“How would I know?” Shiloh’s confusion mirrored her own.
As soon as Jared finished a candy, his phone buzzed with a call from Mr. Scott.
Recognizing the Caller ID, he preemptively grasped the purpose of the call and chose
not to answer.
Call rejected.
Number added to the blacklist.
A minute later, Jared’s phone lit up again, displaying a call from his mother, Yannie. Jared’s brows knitted slightly, anticipating the subject of this conversation.
“Mom, are you trying to intervene on behalf of the Scott family?”
“Child, your wit has been evident from an early age,” Yannie’s voice held a note of resignation.
“Don’t trouble yourself to advocate for them anymore. What they’ve done is beyond redemption.” As he recalled yesterday’s scene, where he barely intervened in time to prevent some girls from being victimized, a dark cloud crossed Jared’s countenance. “I’ve been informed about this incident, largely due to the girl you voluntarily proposed to marry. Jared, I understand your temperament. Once you’ve made a decision, it’s tough for anyone to sway your convictions. However, you still need to consider your grandmother’s well–being. In accordance with the marriage agreement, you’re meant to marry Miss Scott. It was the late patriarch’s final wish. Were it not for this, I would have already arranged a union between you and Cameron.” Yannie’s voice was tinged with a sigh.
Jared toyed with the candy Julia had given him, his thoughts swirling around Julia’s captivating and playful expression.
“I didn’t let down my grandmother. On the day of my wedding, as agreed, I went to the Civil Affairs Bureau. The breach of contract came from the other party; I’m not implicated in that.”
“It’s alright. If you two were meant to be, I wouldn’t push it. Frankly speaking, I wouldn’t want you to marry anyone else. Our own child is so exceptional. Cameron has held a deep admiration for you since childhood, longing to become your wife. You-” Yannie’s words were cut short by Jared’s interjection.
“I’m already married. Mom, please don’t bring this up again. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up.”
“Ah, you stubborn child. Alright, I won’t bring it up for now. Speaking of which, Mr. Scott contacted me just now. He hopes you’d grant the Scott family a chance at redemption. He mentioned treating you to a meal when you’re available,” Yannie explained.
Jared’s refusal was a given.
“Jared, he’s an elderly gentleman, after all, at seventy. Your grandmother had a close relationship with him before she passed away. If you deny him this opportunity, you might regret it. Consider it, for your grandmother’s sake, to ease her worries in the heavens.”
Reluctantly, Jared acquiesced to Yannie’s persuasive words.
“Alright then, the evening after tomorrow. I’m occupied during the day.”
“Understood, I’ll convey that.”
Two days later.
In the morning, Julia had an appointment with Wolf Five and was preparing to head out when Shiloh halted her.
“You can’t leave right now.”
“Why?” Julia’s expression conveyed confusion as she regarded Shiloh.
Shiloh blocked the doorway, resolute. “For now, you’re just not allowed to go out.” Julia eyed Shiloh skeptically.
Before she could unravel the situation, a familiar voice echoed through.
“Godmother, this is Julia. She’s been clinging to Jared shamelessly, even stooping to hitting me last time.”
Julia’s attention swerved towards the source of the voice, zeroing in on the doorway. The one who had just delivered the unpleasant comment was none other than Cameron. The middle–aged woman accompanying Cameron bore a striking resemblance to the two siblings, Jared and Shiloh, in her eyebrows and eyes. With a cursory glance, she could be mistaken for their biological mother.
And, if Cameron referred to her as his godmother, there was no room for doubt about her identity.
Julia cast a glance back at Shiloh standing behind her, and comprehension dawned upon her. His motive was now clear–he had orchestrated her detention, awaiting their arrival.
Given these circumstances, it was safe to assume that they were arriving with unfriendly intentions.
Yannie advanced, appraising Julia from head to toe.
“I’ve had someone thoroughly look into your situation, and I must say, you’re quite malicious. Even if that woman stole your man, pushing her to the point of miscarriage was a bit extreme.”
Julia’s marriage to this family for a mission did not equate to her enduring mistreatment or permitting others to bully her.
“Is that so? If your investigation was thorough, then you should know that the mistress’s pregnancy was a sham. You should also know that I didn’t push her; she feigned the fall, using a blood bag to orchestrate a massive bleeding illusion.”
Yannie’s lips parted slightly in astonishment, Julia’s words left her utterly perplexed.
“Godmother, don’t be swayed by her words. She’s concocting falsehoods to exonerate herself. Everyone present at the wedding witnessed her pushing that woman herself. What nonsense is this about a fake pregnancy? If the woman were truly faking it, why would the CEO of Ross Group insist on being with her? Could Carter be blind?” Cameron whispered insidiously into Yannie’s ear.
Upon hearing this Vannie’s contemplation deepened: Cameron’s arguments had a
compelling logic.
“That’s right. Carter must be blind. He isn’t drawn to kind and simple girls like me. What a predicament,” Julia retorted with a shrug.
“Excessive words won’t change anything.” Yannie’s gaze turned icy as she addressed Julia. “The Brooks family doesn’t welcome you. Apologize to Cameron immediately. Once you’ve done so, leave this place on my terms.”
Observing this exchange, Shiloh’s emotions became entangled. His most fervent hope had been for Julia to be driven away, yet on this day, an indescribable unease stirred within him.
Meeting Yannie’s gaze squarely with her clear eyes, Julia inquired, “And if I choose not to go today?”
