Chapter 9
9
+25 BONUS
“It’s nothing, just a small injury.” Irvin retracted his hand, putting some distance between Julianne and himself. A hint of coolness flashed across Julianne’s eyes, but it disappeared in an instant. When she raised her gaze to meet Irvin’s, her usual gentleness and concern were back. “Irvin, you should go get your hand bandaged.”
“There’s no need. I’ll take you to Professor Stone.”
My parents sighed inwardly as they watched Irvin tend to Julianne. For her sake, he didn’t hesitate to disregard his own injury.
If it hadn’t been for that incident, Irvin would have divorced and been with Julianne by now! How perfect would that have been?
Alas…
Convinced it was all my fault, my parents–Henry Quill and Catherine Bennet–found it even harder to like me, their biological daughter, now.
Growing increasingly angry, Mom gave me a call. “Millicent Quill, why did you agree to the divorce so quickly? Is it because you knew Irvin would still struggle to get over the hurdle in his heart?”
was utterly taken aback.
“You’re truly malicious! Even to your biological parents, you’re so cunning! But so what? Even if you trap Irvin for life, he’ll never love you. You’ll always just be a shield!”
I was completely tongue–tied.
A shield? What was she getting at?
Before I could ask her what she meant–what hurdle?-Dad’s voice came through the line.
He ordered, “Millicent, you’re too vicious to be worthy of the Quill name. You don’t deserve anything from us. Tomorrow, you must make your grandmother transfer her shares to Lianne no matter what! Consider it your apology to Lianne. If you can’t do it, don’t bother calling us your parents anymore!”
With that, he hung up.
I still hadn’t managed to string together a reply. But honestly, I didn’t quite mind not calling them my parents anymore.
Dad seemed unaware of the fact that I was fully grown up. I was no longer the little girl afraid of being abandoned by her parents.
Such threats like his no longer held any power over me. In fact, I’d consider them liberating.
I didn’t call back to find out more from Mom. I’d be meeting them tomorrow anyway, so there’d be plenty of chances to ask.
Thinking about how I’d have to meet Grandma tomorrow, I hastily slapped on some skincare. I must look fair and radiant when I see her to keep her from worrying too much.
I just wanted her 70th birthday to be a happy one.
As for Dad’s delusion, all I had to say to him was, “Dream an“.
1/3
9
The next day arrived in no time.
+25 BONUS
The 70th birthday celebration for the Quill family matriarch–Lauren Johnson–was a grand affair. Widowed early, Grandma raised two children on her own and founded Quillcrest Pharmaceuticals. Effortlessly, she earned herself a reputation as a formidable woman in the circle.
She had been iron–willed and driven in her youth, so her body was now paying the price in old age. In recent years , her health had declined rapidly. Fearing her time was short she decided to distribute her shares during this milestone celebration.
Against her usual frugality and disinterest in extravagant celebrations, she went all out this time.
As soon as she saw me, the previously stoic matriarch broke into a wide smile. “My darling granddaughter, come here and let Grandma take a good look at you!”
Jeremy saw how warmly she greeted me and clenched his fists at his sides. Despite his constant efforts to please her, Grandma was eternally cold toward him. She was always picking faults out of nowhere, a stark contrast to the delight on her face right now.
He looked up and, without giving me a chance to speak, raised his voice. “Emilia , what’s your problem? You haven’t visited Grandma in so long.
“If it weren’t her birthday today, would you have dropped by at all? Do you even know how much she misses you ? No matter how busy you get, you should think of her!”
I calmly glanced at Jeremy.
He knew perfectly well that I had stayed away to avoid worrying Grandma about my injuries. Yet, here he was, loudly criticizing me on this joyous occasion.
Grandma, who had always doted on me, immediately frowned at him. “You silly child, I know you care about me, but you shouldn’t falsely accuse your sister!
“My dear Emi thinks of me all the time. No matter how busy, she spends half an hour a day on a video call with me. She’s been abroad looking for a special gift for my 70th—that’s why she hasn’t visited!”
As she spoke, Grandma hugged me tightly, planting several kisses on my face.
I returned the embrace.
Grandma was the only reason I kept coming back to this house, even after falling out with my parents. She was the one person in the world who loved me the most.
Jeremy’s expression flickered with discomfort, but he maintained a smile through the humiliation. “Of course, I know that. I was just teasing. Grandma, you’re so biased! I can’t even tease Emi a little. She’s my sister, after all.”
Grandma wanted to say more. But considering the occasion, she merely clicked her tongue at him and chuckled, dropping the subject.
After greeting more guests, she eventually complained of tiredness and hauled me into the lounge.
Once we were alone, she grabbed my hand and inspected me carefully. “My dear Emi, tell me the truth. Recently, you’ve only been calling me instead of visiting. Has something happened?”
My lips pulled into a gentle smile. “Grandma, what are you thinking? What could have happened? Lo… at me. I’m perfectly fine.”
“Quit lying to me! I might be old, but I’m not senile. You haven’t visited in three months, and during our video chats, you only show your face. If nothing’s wrong, how would you explain this?”
+25 BONUS
9
Without giving me time to react, she reached out and lifted my sleeve. I promptly backed away, alarmed. ” Grandma, what are you doing? I’m a grown woman now. You can’t just pull up my clothes like that!”
If she saw the scars on my body, she might not be able to handle it.
Before she could insist, I hurriedly added, “Something did happen, but it’s nothing major. Don’t worry about it, okay?”
With that, I smiled and hugged her tightly.
Grandma was the person who loved and understood me the most. Knowing I was determined to let nothing else slip, she stopped pressing and caressed my face lovingly. “As long as my dear Emi is fine, that’s all that matters.”
Doused in the concern she had for me, I almost couldn’t hold back my tears.
I changed the subject and chatted with her for a while longer.
Then, she looked at me with utmost graveness and said, “Emi, I know you don’t want to compete with Jeremy, but as you saw earlier, he…”
She paused briefly. “I’m not confident about leaving the family business entirely in his hands.”
I had no time to respond before she continued, “But I’m also hesitant to leave it to you. You’re wonderful in every way, but you’re just… too–what do you young people call it? Ah, yes, too much of a ‘romantic‘…
“If I were to hand the family business to you, I’m basically dropping it straight into Irvin’s hands. I mean, it would be one thing if he treated you well. But…”
Grandma trailed off, unable to finish her words.
After a moment of silence, she gently stroked my head. “Emi, I don’t know how much longer I have. I worry about you. You need to learn to love yourself; do you understand? In this world, love isn’t something you get more of just because you give more.” 1
Hearing the worry in her voice, I fought back the tears welling up in my eyes. I lowered my head. I didn’t know how I had let myself love the way I did in the past, to the point that Grandma grew so anxious for me.
When I raised my head again, I swallowed my emotions and grinned widely. “Grandma, I won’t anymore. Never again. From now on, I will love myself well.”