Chapter 88 Grandma Richards’ Decisions
“Miss McAdams, Grandma Richards only wants to see Mayor McAdams. Please sit back down,” Meroy’s voice brought Hansen back from his daze. He looked up and realized that Aria intended to follow her father inside, but was politely stopped by Meroy.C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.
Aria’s face darkened and she looked unhappy. She had no choice but to return to her seat and sit down next to Hansen.
“Hansen, why does Grandma Richards want to see my father?” She smiled sweetly and asked in a low voice.
Hansen glanced at Jenna as he shook his head and replied in a troubled state of mind, “I don’t know.”
He really wanted to know what Grandma Richards had said to Jenna. He did not want Grandma Richards to change her liking for Jenna. He hoped that Grandma Richards would continue to love her. However, as he realized this, even he was taken aback by the feeling. He did not even bother to ponder over Aria’s question.
About 20 minutes later, Earl emerged from the bedroom. His expression was calm and aloof, and his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses were elusive.
“Dad, what did Grandma Richards say to you?” Aria leaned over and asked in a low voice. Earl’s expression was so subtle that he just looked at her with a meaningful look, but he didn’t say anything.
Aria was apprehensive. If it was good news, her father would definitely have told her, but he didn’t, not even the slightest sign of it. However, there was no sign of that utter disappointment in her father’s eyes either. His expression was as calm as ever, not even a sign of anything. The uneasiness in her heart was slightly relieved.
After a while, Meroy came out with Grandma Richards from her room.
Grandma Richards was sitting in a wheelchair, wearing an old-fashioned vermilion dress. Her white hair was fluttering in the wind, but she was hale and hearty. Her face was flushed, and she was smiling. There was no sign of tiredness on her face.
“Hello, Grandma,” Everyone stood up and greeted her.
“Hello, everyone,” Grandma Richards was grinning from ear to ear. She waved at everyone and everyone sat back down.
“Mayor McAdams, sorry to have troubled you. Thank you for taking the time out to celebrate my birthday with my family. I am very grateful!” Grandma Richards politely thanked Earl, the only outsider among the attendees. Her voice was full of gratitude. Earl hurriedly stood up and smiled at her, saying calmly, “Grandma Richards, it is your 90th birthday after all. It’s my pleasure to be here.”
At this time, everyone began to wonder. What was Grandma Richards up to? Wasn’t she always against his daughter marrying Hansen? Now she was acting like this so did she finally approve of their marriage? Did she just invite Jenna over to disassociate her from Hansen? If that’s the case, Jenna would be able to turn over a new leaf. The moment they thought of this, they felt sorry for her. Some gave her sympathetic glances, but many more were disdainful looks.
Marissa was over the moon. It seemed that her son’s marriage was finally settled and she could begin getting ready for the wedding!
“Today is my birthday. I am not getting any younger and not as energetic as I used to, therefore, I will not be able to accompany you young people for long. I have a few important announcements to make. Then, my family will accompany me to pay respects to the ancestors. After that, I’ll go back to rest,” Grandma Richards paused for a while. She was a little tired because she had consumed too much energy today.
She took a deep breath and waved Meroy over. Meroy immediately took out a red booklet from the side of the wheelchair.
Everyone in the living room sat up straight, stretched their necks, and held their breath. All of a sudden they became nervous, not knowing what decision Grandma Richards was going to announce. In the quiet living room, Hansen’s heart was pounding in his chest as he looked at Jenna, who was still standing in the corner silently. He felt anxious and uneasy.
What would he do if Grandma Richards were to announce that her name was officially removed from the Richards’ family tree?
If that was the case, didn’t it mean that he was going to lose her forever? He would never be able to have her anymore. The image of the good moments they shared the night before yesterday flashed through his mind and he was getting nervous.
Meroy slowly opened the red booklet in her hand and read it aloud and clearly,
“I, Vivian, on behalf of the ancestors of the Richards family, would like to announce that firstly, Hansen Richards’ right of inheritance of the Richards Manor will all be transferred to Jenna Murphy.”
As soon as the decision was announced, the living room suddenly burst into an uproar. Everyone started to discuss among themselves.
“What does this mean?”
“That’s right. The Richards Manor is the Richards family’s ancestral property but what’s the point of giving it to an outsider when you don’t even give it to your own grandson?”
“That’s right. Only the grandchildren of the family can inherit the Richards Manor. Even Andrea does not have a share. How can you give it to a divorced woman?”
“This woman really has a lot of tricks up her sleeve.”
“We cannot agree to this…..”
…
Hansen returned to his senses. When he heard his grandmother’s words, he could not help but feel relieved and relaxed. An imperceptible smile appeared on his face and Aria saw the smile. She was seething with anger.
“Secondly, from today onwards, Jenna will move back to the Green Jade Garden in the Richards Manor and continue to stay in her original villa.”
As soon as the announcement was made, everyone was shocked again. What was going on? Weren’t Hansen and Jenna already divorced? How could she still stay in the Richards Manor?
“Mom, I have something to say,” Marissa couldn’t take it anymore and was the first to raise her concerns. The sight of Jenna was enough to arouse her anger. Now she was going to move back to the Green Jade Garden, which meant that she had to see her everyday! Did Grandma Richards do that on purpose? She knew that she didn’t like Jenna yet she still made such a decision. Grandma Richards really did not care about her at all. The Green Jade Garden was her house that was why others did not bother much, but she could not care less!
Marissa did not like Jenna and she couldn’t let the woman step foot into the Green Jade Garden.
“Mom, Jenna is no longer legally married to Hansen. This is a lawful society after all. How is it possible for her to move back into the Richards Manor?” Marissa retorted affirmatively again. Her mother-in-law had always liked to oppose her and she could no longer remain silent.
Since the decision did not affect the rest of the family, the other family members just stood aside and watched.
Grandma Richards, with a gleam in her eyes, cleared her throat, looked at the infuriated Marissa, and said slowly, “This Richards Manor is my property and I am the one who gets to make these decisions. If there’s any of you who is not happy with my decision, you can move out of here,” She swallowed and said solemnly, “I would also like to state again that Jenna will remain in the Richards family tree as my granddaughter-in-law. It is not easy to remove her from the family tree. I am just doing things according to the Richards family’s tradition. As for Jenna’s and Hansen’s lawful relationship, it is none of my business. I have explained everything to Hansen. I have told him that he is free to marry some other woman but she will not be allowed to enter the Richards Manor. The Richards Manor is my property and I’m happy to give it to whoever I want. I don’t need to hear any of your remarks.”
Grandma Richards’ words made Marissa’s and Aria’s faces turn black. There was also a terrible expression on Norton’s face and only Earl was calm. He stood quietly and looked at Hansen.
The expression on Hansen’s face was different from the others when he heard Grandma Richard’s decision. First, he was nervous, then delighted when he heard her first announcement, and now he was silent. He didn’t seem to have much opposition and that’s what scared Earl the most.
To be honest, Grandma Richard’s decision did not really matter. Wasn’t it just some family asset? What he wanted to see was Hansen’s attitude towards everything. After all, Aria was going to live with him for the rest of her life.
“Next, the third announcement is regarding the marriage between Aria and Hansen. Grandma Richards has agreed to let Aria stay in the Richards Manor for three months. We will only make a decision after three months. Grandma Richards has already discussed this matter with Mayor McAdams.”
As soon as this was announced, everyone was dumbfounded again.
Marissa and Aria were starting to look noticeably better. It seemed that Grandma Richards had taken everyone’s feelings into account and did not go to the extreme to no point of no return.
At this time, everyone was whispering in their hearts. It seemed that Grandma Richards’ birthday celebration was to announce her decision regarding Hansen’s marriage. It seemed that she was blatantly willing to allow Hansen to marry a concubine. As for who would be the first wife and who would be the concubine, it was all up to those two women.
After Grandma Richards announced the decisions, according to the Richards’ family’s rules, they needed to pay their respects to the ancestors, and outsiders had to leave. Because Aria was not married to Hansen and her name was not in the family tree, therefore Earl walked out with Aria sensibly. However, because he had important business to attend to, Earl decided to leave first while Aria remained there.
“Aria, this is the best I can do. If you really love Hansen and want to marry into the Richards family, then you have to do your best to prove yourself. I have faith in your ability. If you need anything, you can call me. From today onwards, you don’t have to go home. You can just live in the Richards Manor. Good luck, my daughter. I will ask your mother to arrange for someone to bring you your clothes,” Earl said to Aria. In fact, this was his only choice. These days, Aria had lost her appetite and cried every day. She was his only daughter and naturally, he could not let go. Although it would not be the best way out, it was only for the best for his daughter.
Although he had not decided what to do prior to his visit, Grandma Richards was finally willing to give his daughter a fair chance. At least, his daughter still stood a chance. If he didn’t allow her to try, she wouldn’t give up. No matter what the outcome was, she had to give it a try. Anyway, it was only three months, which he could afford to wait. If the outcome was unfavorable, then he would never allow her to fool around again.