Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Keira only knew that Mrs. Olsenâs family was from Glance, but throughout all these years in Oceanion, she had never made contact with them.
Moreover, no one from her maternal family in Clance had ever visited her.
Yet the last time Mrs. Olsen appeared, she had been treated with such courtesy by the Allen familyâ¦
This time she didnât know what Mrs. Olsen had said to Melissa to make the latter change her attitude so drastically. Keira really wanted to know what kind of family could raise someone like Mrs. Olsen.
Old Mrs. Horton shook her head. âI have no idea. Whatâs our in-lawâs background?â
Melissa laughed. âShe didnât specify her background. However, she mentioned that she was acquainted with several prestigious families in Clance and that she could introduce some connections for Jake, which could be beneficial since the Horton family, because of Lewisâs circumstances, doesnât have many contacts there. If Jake could penetrate the market in Clance, he would definitely lead the Horton family to even greater heights in the future. Isnât that right, Grandma?â
Only then did Keira understand why Melissa wanted Isla to marry into the family, even if it meant not getting any shares.
Most families in Clance were powerful and influential.
Originally, the Horton family had sought an alliance with them, which led to the arranged marriage of Lewisâs parents. Unfortunately, not only did this marriage fail to open up the market, but it also turned the Horton family into a thorn in the side for those in Clance.
If Jake could forge this path, his position within the Horton Group would undoubtedly rise with the tide!
If he could bring sufficient benefits to the Horton family, even if he was at a disadvantage in terms of shares, he could still replace Lewis as the next CEO! After all, Melissaâs acceptance of Isla was all because of her interests.
And the exchange that just took place between Melissa and old Mrs. Horton was a trade.
Old Mrs. Horton wouldnât stop Isla from joining the family, and Melissa would no longer insist on the five percent of shares.
Seeing that she wanted to leave, old Mrs. Horton still couldnât help but speak up persuasively, âHaving interests tied together is ultimately unreliable. You still need to ask Jake about this marriage arrangement.â
Mehssa thought old Mrs. Horton was trying to prevent the rise of the first branch of the family and narrowed her eyes, âGrandma, Lewis did find someone sincere, but how did that turn out? Arenât the couple living apart, and now they donât even have a child? If you have free time, you should pay more attention to his personal issues, especially since youâre keeping such a woman in the house as a mistress⦠Letâs not have any more scandals.â
After a glance at Keira, she sneered and left.
Old Mrs. Horton didnât understand the implication. âHow are they living apart? My granddaughter-in-law, arenât you and the brat living at home? How strange people speak!â
Keira soothed her, âGrandma, sheâs talking nonsense. Donât take it to heart.â
But old Mrs. Horton sighed again. âNevertheless, she did have a point. You and the brat have been married for two years now. Why isnât anything happening? My granddaughter-in-law, is the brat not up to the task?â
Keira was shocked.
How would she know if Lewis was up to the task?
She quickly asked, âGrandma, whatâs for dinner tonight?â n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Right, what should we have?â
Thinking she had successfully changed the subject, Keira didnât expect old Mrs Hortonâs next words to be, âWhat should we eat to boost virility? Oysters?â
Keira didnât know what to say.
So, when Lewis came home for dinner that evening, he was greeted with a menu that included: stir-fried oysters, roasted oysters, shrimps, steaks, as well as ten other dishes.
Lewis didnât initially realize anything was amiss. He washed his hands, changed into his loungewear, and sat down at the dining table.
Old Mrs. Horton started to put food on his plate. âBrat, eat up!â The food on Lewisâs plate slowly piled into a small mountain before his eyes. He couldnât help but interject. âGrandma, stop. I canât finish all this.â âHow can you not finish?â Old Mrs. Horton looked him up and down seriously, âYouâre too thin, no wonder youâre not performing well, you need to eat more.â Lewis was baffled, âNot performing well at what?â
Just as old Mrs. Horton was about to speak, Keira, frightened, immediately shouted, âEating! Grandma means youâre not good at eating!â
Lewis, completely puzzled, turned to old Mrs. Horton.
Old Mrs. Horton continued. âRight, eat more.â
Keira breathed a sigh of relief, then heard the old lady say, âIf you donât eat more, how are you going to give me a great-grandson!â
Keira was speechless.
Lewisâs gaze swept across the dishes on the table and suddenly everything clicked.
His face instantly turned red, and he coughed once before lowering his head to start eating.
After dinner, the couple prepared to chat with old Mrs. Horton for a while.
However, Old Mrs. Horton pointed toward Lewisâs room and said, âNo need to keep me company, you newlyweds. Go make a baby already!â
Keira couldnât take it anymore and with a bitter smile, she said, âGrandma, Mr Horton and Iâ¦â
âOh my, my chest hurts.â Old Mrs. Horton suddenly furrowed her brows and clutched at her chest, then looked at her, âWhat were you going to say, granddaughter-in-law?â
Keira recalled the time she and Lewis talked about divorce, and the old lady fainted and was rushed for emergency care. She immediately changed her tune. âItâs nothing.â
She glared at Lewis but saw he seemed to have a smile on his lips and, surprisingly, he didnât refuse.
Old Mrs. Horton then held onto Fionaâs hand, âIâll lie down here for a while, you
two should go to bed early too. Go on, goâ¦â
Keira walked awkwardly to the door of Lewisâs room under old Mrs. Hortonâs watchful gaze.
Both turned their heads back simultaneously only to see old Mrs. Horton looking at them intently, fists clenched. âYou can do it. You can do it!â
Then she covered her chest again, âOh, I feel uncomfortable.â
Keira wanted to say something more, but her wrist was suddenly taken by Lewis, and he said quietly with downcast eyes, âMiss Olsen, Grandma canât be agitated.â
Keira helplessly followed him inside. The moment the bedroom door closed, the old lady got up from the couch with Fiona and approached the door. Sheâ listened intently to the sounds from inside.
âFiona, do you think I can have a great-grandchild tonight?â
âWith a little effort, definitely!â
Seeing all this through the peephole, Keira was speechless.
Keira cleared her throat. âI guess Islaâs pregnancy must have excited Grandma.â
Lewis raised an eyebrow, keeping his gaze on her.
He walked over and sat on the couch.
They didnât know whether it was the dishes they ate earlier, but the room felt a bit warm. The usually spacious bedroom now somehow seemed a bit cramped.
Lewis loosened his tie, trying to change the subject. âI heard Mrs. Olsen came today and secured the marriage?â
âYes.â Keira briefly explained the situation of the day, then asked, âShould I reveal that Islaâs child isnât Jakeâs?â
Donât worry about that.â Lewisâs voice was a bit hoarse. âDid you think the Horton family bloodline would be that easily confused?â
Keira was taken aback.
Lewis went on to say, âWhat my sister-in-law is after is Mrs. Olsenâs connections.â
Mentioning this, he spoke indifferently. âBy the way, I investigated Mrs.
Olsenâs background today. Are you interested to know?â
Of course, she was interested.
Keira walked over and sat opposite him, only to feel his gaze like fire as if it would devour her completely. She too felt a heat rush to her cheeks.
She quickly said, âWhat did you find?â
As she finished, she didnât hear Lewisâs response.
When she turned her head to look, she saw the man clutching his fists tightly, and his forehead beaded with fine sweat.
Keira was startled and asked, âWhatâs wrong?â
The next moment, her waist was gripped by a large hand, and everything seemed to spin. By the time she regained her senses, she was already pinned beneath him.
His breathing was scorching, and red flames seemed to flicker in his eyes.
Keira tried to push him away, but she found she had no strength at all.
That wasâ¦
Her pupils contracted in an instant.
They werenât in their right minds!
Did old Mrs. Horton play a trick?
As panic set in her heart, she tried to push Lewis away, but he seemed to be beyond self-control, and with a fierce movement, he lowered his head and swallowed all her wordsâ¦.