Chapter 86
Chapter 86
"Old Madam, it's time to take your medicine," Meroy came over with a small capful of medicine and a glass of warm water, reminding her in a low voice. She knew that Old Madam was just resting her eyes and she could hear whatever that was going on.
Grandma Richards opened her slightly cloudy eyes and sighed, "It's fine even if I don't take this medicine. I know I don't have much time left. However, I am still a little worried. I'm old and fine with death, but there are some things that I cannot let go of."
She said it in sorrow. Tears were running down her face.
Meroy, who had been by the Old Madam's side for a long time, knew what she was worried about. She comforted her in a soft voice, "Old Madam, you're a very lucky person. Everything will be fine. Don't worry too much. Your health is the most important thing right now."
A gentle breeze swept across Grandma Richard's silver hair, blowing strands across her forehead. She, who had always loved dressing up, just put on some simple clothes and had no intention of dressing up. Her ruddy face was covered with a strange sadness.
"It seems like it's time for me to take action. Otherwise, Hansen won't be able to be true to himself. After so many years, Hansen still can't understand. There are some things that I can't blame others for. It's all my fault,1' Grandma Richards said sadly, "If I don't get to see the Richards Group flourishing and making amends in my lifetime, I'll feel ashamed of myself and of the Richards family. I'm worried that I do not have much time left and will not be able to live to see that day."
Grandma Richards's expression was sorrowful with tears streaming down her face. C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.
"Old Madam, today's your birthday. You shouldn't say things like this. Good things are yet to come. You are still very healthy and strong. You will live over 100 years. Don't worry. The young masters are shrewd. They can take care of themselves. I'm sure they can live on their own. Old Madam, just
be happy and enjoy the rest of your life. Your grandchildren will come to visit you shortly. You are very fortunate to have such filial children and grandchildren, and you've also been blessed with much wealth. People must be jealous of you. Old Madam, you are truly blessed," Meroy quickly offered Old Madam some comforting words when she saw that she was in tears of grief.
Grandma Richards sighed and said with a bitter smile, "People may think that I have infinite glory, but in fact, no one knows the sorrow behind it. No one knows that the Richards Manor has survived many years of glory and humiliation and that it was eventually preserved thanks to the Old Master. Now, if the descendants of the Richards family do not continue to work hard, I'm afraid that the Richards Manor will go downhill."
Meroy was stunned and did not understand why the Old Madam said that. Although there were not many descendants of the Richards family, there were at least two young masters who were doing exceptionally well. They were very respectable and renowned in society. Old Madam's words were a little exaggerated which might be because older people saw things differently. She immediately explained, "Old Madam, you're overthinking. Now the eldest young master of the Richards family is now in charge of the Richards Group, and the second young master is also the Director of the Finance Ministry. There must be a lot of people who envy them! I'm pretty sure there are a lot of people in A city who wish to be in your position."
Grandma Richards burst into tears again when she heard Meroy's words, "Meroy, you just don't see things clearly. There are some things that I know very well deep down."
After she said that, she closed her eyes again.
Meroy was a little worried when she saw that Old Madam was not in a good mood. She then helped her up and gave her her medicine before reading the newspaper for her. When she flipped to the page about Hansen's and Jenna's news, her face lit up, even her voice sounded cheerful.
However, the Old Madam's eyes remained closed and she didn't speak, as if she was asleep.
Meroy thought that she was asleep, but she had a strange feeling in her heart, however, she did not dare to ask any questions.
When Hansen drove back to the Richards Manor with Jenna in his Hummer, Jenna was still in daze; it was as if she was in a dream. She looked around in disbelief. Was she really back at the Richards Manor? When she returned to her former home after three years, everything seemed to have changed. She was no longer a member of this family, but why did she always feel that the grass and trees were still so familiar? This place, where she had been humiliated, seemed to have a great connection with her.
She smiled bitterly, feeling a little bored and empty.
"You should get down and wait for me. Remember not to go anywhere else," Hansen stopped his car on the broad, clean asphalt road in the center of the manor and ordered Jenna. Jenna nodded, opened the door, and got down from the car slowly. She was met with the sight of a beautiful vintage style garden surrounded by European- style villas. The trees provided shade and greenery for the villas, which was a wonderful sight.
Jenna stood there indifferently and her bright eyes were as clear as water.
Butler Maud came out in a hurry to welcome her.
"Hello, Young Madam," he greeted her after seeing Jenna get down from the car. He was stunned at first, then came over and greeted her with a smile. Although he had heard a lot of rumors about Jenna and Hansen, he dared not neglect her as Jenna had arrived in Hansen's car. As a butler, he had always been shrewd and would not miss out on formalities.
"Butler Maud, it's nice to see you again," Jenna nodded at him graciously. Even though there were not many servants who respected her when she stayed in the Richard Manor, she maintained the
courtesy she should have, regardless of how they treated her in the past. After a while, Hansen came out of the parking lot.
"Butler Maud, where is Madam?" He asked calmly.
"Young Master, they have gone to the Ink Garden. She told me to wait for you here and to send you over to the Ink Garden as soon as you've arrived, so as not to displease Old Madam," Butler Qiu answered cautiously.
"They?" Hansen was stunned and suspicious.
"This, Young Master....." Butler Maud glanced at
Jenna with a hesitant look and mumbled.
"Come on, tell me. Don't stutter," Hansen was very impatient.
"Young Master, Madam is accompanying Mayor McAdams and his family to pay their respects to the Old Madam first," Butler Maud knew that there was no way to hide this matter, so he had to speak up and answer.
Hansen's eyes darkened. Did they actually come? He thought that they would back out since that night. After all, he had made himself clear and told them the truth. He had thought that for the sake of Mayor McAdams' reputation, they would not come over again. He did not expect that they would actually come to attend Grandma Richard's birthday celebration like they said they would.
Outsiders were not invited to Grandma Richards' birthday celebration. Would their presence upset Grandma Richards? He didn't want her to feel sad today.
When he thought of this, he couldn't help but hold Jenna's hand and quickly walked toward the electric car that was parked on the roadside. A chill ran down Jenna's spine when she heard their
conversation. Jenna felt as if her entire body had been hollowed out, and her heart was filled with bitterness. This time, she came to the Richards Manor only to see Grandma Richards, the person who had once protected her while she was here. She did not expect to see Aria. How awkward would that be?
However, now an awkward situation was ahead and she had to face it. She was an ex-wife who was about to meet Hansen's soon- to- be wife, Mayor McAdams, the mayor of A city's daughter. She was nothing but a down- and- out girl, who was now Hansen's plaything and mistress. When she came here today, not only was Butler Maud surprised to see her, even she, herself felt that it was weird for her to be here.
Once Hansen heard that Aria was here, he rushed to the Ink Garden impatiently. Just now, he was still carefree along the way and being his usual sarcastic self. If it was not because of Grandma Richard's order, he would not have brought her back to the Richards Manor.
Hansen drove the electric car towards the Ink Garden while Jenna sat in the car and admired the beauty of the trees and flowers in the Richards Manor as she gradually calmed down. Perhaps after today, she didn't need to come back here anymore. With so many people present, the awkward situation might only last a few moments.
The Richards Manor was really big with a vast green garden all around. The villas were built in a circle and in the middle of it all was the Ink Garden, an ancient villa. Each villa was equipped with a small garden, which was connected to the Ink Garden. It took them more than 20 minutes to get to the Ink Garden by car. If they were to travel the entire circle, it would probably take them more than an hour.
Although she had stayed in the Richards Manor for a year, she had never finished exploring the entire place. Firstly, the place was too big. Secondly, she felt that she was a nobody and did not dare to wander around the place. She always felt out of place no matter where she went in the
Richards Manor. She used to be the titular Young Madam, but now she was just the woman whom Hansen dumped and was ridiculed by the others. It was a terrible feeling.
Hansen could feel the silence and coldness of the woman beside him. He turned his head and saw the dry smile on her face, masking her sadness. His heart ached at the sight of her and he felt a burst of unspeakable discomfort. She was probably thinking of the awkward situation that she was about to encounter. He reached for her hand and offered her an encouraging, friendly smile.
Was this to please her? Was he worried that she was going to complain to Grandma Richards? She lowered her eyes and reluctantly smiled back at him.
Until Hansen led her out of the electric car, she still had a surreal feeling. If it wasn't because of Hansen, she would have made a spectacle of herself. She probably wouldn't have been able to find the place as she was so distracted.
In the living room of the Ink Garden, both the buildings and furniture were antique and in a retro style. The couch was luxurious yet practical. The middle of the couch consisted of several long cubes assembled together, with an openwork pattern etched into the back of the couch. The backrest of the couch was inlaid with gold and was in a mahogany wood color, which made it look noble and calming. The two sides were surrounded by four separate couches, all of which were of similar openwork designs. The chairs in the middle of the living room were arranged in a row.