Chapter 226 Fractured Bonds
“I did this for the sake of my late brother and sister-in-law. I didn’t want them looking down from above, seemg Damien, a lonely man stuck with a wife who cuckolded him. And all of you were so kind… Wanda said, her voice filled with regret.
“It was unfair to Damien,” someone murmured sympathetically.
Damien’s face hardened, then a bitter smile curved, and he laughed disdainfully. “Well, I must really thank Aunt Wanda for her concern.”
Wanda raised her chin defiantly. “You’re welcome!”
She did pick up on the sarcasm in Damien’s voice, but at this point, she had no choice but to swallow her pride and agree.
“Spreading baseless rumors with a baffling video without investigating the truth… Aunt Wanda’s affection for me truly knows no bounds,” Damien sneered, casually wiping the apple juice from Cherise’s lips with his hand. “Oh, speaking of which, were you too busy to contact me?”
“Is it really that difficult to confirm the situation with a simple phone call?”
As the anger boiled up inside Wanda, her face grew even darker.
Old Mr. Lenoir raised his hand. “Enough, everyone, stop arguing!”
He glanced at Wanda, “Make sure your people behave. Have that Baymedia company shut down!”
Then, he turned his gaze to Damien and said sternly, “And if this is just a rumor, why didn’t you explain yourself?”
“I don’t care how you do it, but resolve this matter for me within three days!” he commanded.
Old Mr. Lenoir then gestured dismissively. “Everyone, leave. I need to talk to Cherry alone.”
Wanda rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Imagine having a conversation with someone so devoid of decency. What could one possibly discuss with such a person?”
Old Mr. Lenoir shot her a sharp glaring look, and Wanda left begrudgingly.
“No harsh words.”
Damien shot a cautionary glance at Old Mr. Lenoir before leaving the room with Lennon.
The hospital room door closed behind them, leaving only Cherise and Old Mr. Lenoir inside.
“Grandpa.”
Cherise leaned against the bed and said softly, “Is there something you want to talk to me about?”
1/2
“I’ve troubled you, he shut his eyes and sighed, his voice filled with remorse.
Old Mr. Lenoir sat in his chair, leaning on his cane, and shook his head helplessly. Tve already figured out what’s happening”
“Unfortunately, I’ve grown old and can’t handle it anymore.
He sighed, leaned back in his chair, and continued, “I can’t handle it, and I don’t have the right. Seventeen years ago, I didn’t handle it, and now… I have even less of a right to handle it.”
Cherise listened, feeling a bit perplexed. “Grandpa, I don’t understand what you mean
“You don’t have to,” he said meekly.
Old Mr. Lenoir sighed. “Cherise, I chose you because of your simplicity and optimistic approach
to life.
In the days to come… I’m leaving Damien in your hands,” he muttered.
“He’s been alone for years, without anyone. I kept my distance to avoid causing him any problems.”
“But deep down, I know you still care for him as your grandson, Grandpa,” Cherise said earnestly.
Cherise pursed her lips and spoke with utmost clarity, “If you truly didn’t care for him, you wouldn’t have intervened in his love life.”
Her innocent eyes filled with determination, and she continued, “You arranged his first three engagements, Grandpa. I am the fourth.”
“I have witnessed many elders in the countryside who seem disinterested in their descendants” lives, including their marital status.”
“And certainly not… like you, who insist I bear him a child within two years.”
The Old Mr. Lenoir was briefly taken aback, but a smile crept onto his face. “Well, well, I didn’t anticipate your astuteness, my dear.”
Speaking of kids…
