Chapter 235: Manipulations and Tensions
Marigold had always been accustomed to seeing Caspian and Harry separately. But now, seeing them together, looking so alike, threw her off completely.
“Which one of you is Harry, and which is Caspian?” Marigold asked, rubbing her eyes in confusion.
“You don’t need to know,” Harry retorted sharply. “Just answer me—are you here to take us away while Mom and Dad aren’t around? Are you a trafficker?”
“No way!” Marigold exclaimed, her voice rising. “How can you say that? I’m your grandma! How could I be a trafficker?”
“Stop acting all high and mighty,” Harry shot back. “You say you’re our grandma, but we still have to accept you first. Last time you took me to the Tranquil Valley mansion to hide me from Mom. How can we accept a grandma like that?”
Marigold quickly defended herself. “Caspian, I took you to Tranquil Valley mansion to help you recover. You got me wrong.”
“I’m Harry, not Caspian,” Harry interrupted, his tone brimming with annoyance.
Marigold blinked in surprise. Harry said he’d been to Tranquil Valley mansion, but hadn’t it been Caspian who had gone there?
“Then you are Caspian?” Marigold asked, turning to the real Caspian. “I took you to Tranquil Valley mansion because of your bone fracture…”
“I don’t have a bone fracture,” Caspian cut in. “I wouldn’t do something as dumb as falling and breaking a bone.”
Harry, caught in the confusion, simply stood there, speechless.
Marigold was flustered. Who had gone to Tranquil Valley mansion? And who had the bone fracture? The questions seemed to twist in her mind.
“Stop messing with me,” she snapped.
“No tricks, it’s all true,” Caspian responded firmly. “We know you don’t like Mom. So, as her kids, we don’t have to like you either.”
“Yeah, we don’t accept you,” Harry added, crossing his arms. “I’ve called you grandma enough already.”
“I am your grandma!” Marigold’s voice wavered with desperation. “If you don’t accept me, do you know how sad I’ll be?”
The kids were unmoved.
“We’ll accept you when you accept our mom,” Harry said firmly.
“Exactly!” Elisa chimed in. “Anyone who bullies our mom doesn’t deserve to be our grandma. We won’t acknowledge you.”
Marigold’s eyes welled up with tears, but her anger toward Stellan only deepened. Stellan had taken Alaric away, and now her grandkids refused to accept her because of Stellan. What could she do?
“I didn’t bully your mom,” Marigold lied, attempting to soften her words. “How could I? I’ve made mistakes before, but please, accept me. I want to make it up to you.”
Her sobs echoed through the room, and Elisa felt a twinge of sympathy. She looked toward Caspian and Harry, whispering, “She seems really sad. Should we…”
“Elisa, don’t be fooled,” Caspian warned, pulling her closer. “She’s very malicious.”
Caspian had seen enough of Marigold’s manipulation over the years. If it hadn’t been for Alaric’s protection, Caspian knew that Marigold would have hurt him too.
“Crying won’t work,” Harry added. “Unless you apologize to our mom in front of us, accept her, and treat her well, we can’t forgive you.”
Marigold’s face twisted in shock. “You want me to apologize to her?” she asked, her voice rising in disbelief. “What? Apologize to that… to that…”
“Mrs. Knight,” Joe quickly interjected, his voice steady.
Marigold bit her tongue, her expression shifting. Reluctantly, she muttered, “Even if I have to apologize, I’ll wait until she’s less busy. Her clinic just opened. She’s swamped. I can’t disturb her, right?”
She continued, trying to sound convincing. “Your dad’s project is almost finished, and Alaric is very busy. Your mom has the clinic and works every day. She can’t take care of you. Why don’t you come back to the Knight mansion with me? I built a playground in the backyard. It’s really fun.”
“Playground?” Elisa’s eyes lit up, her interest piqued. But Harry shot her a sharp look.
“Haven’t you seen a playground before?” Harry mocked.
Elisa closed her mouth, quieting down. Caspian quickly stepped in, offering a smile. “I’ll take you to a playground next time.”
“Okay,” Elisa smiled, her mood lifting slightly.
Harry wasn’t as easily convinced, though. “So, you’re still trying to take us away?” he pressed, his tone growing colder. “You better leave now, or I’ll call Dad.”
Marigold put on a pitiful act, her voice softening. “I haven’t had a chance to look at you properly. You don’t have to go back with me, but let me stay here and look at you. I’ll leave when it gets dark, okay?”
She played the emotional card. “I really miss you. I want to make it up to you. Please, give me a chance.”
The kids exchanged glances. Except for Caspian, Harry and Elisa seemed less firm in their stance.
“Don’t be fooled,” Caspian said, taking Elisa’s hand and leading her upstairs. “If you really don’t want to leave, Harry will stay with you.”
Harry cursed under his breath, frustrated. What kind of brother was Caspian? So irresponsible!
It was clear that they should all share the burden, but now it was being dumped solely on him.
Stellan was completely exhausted. After spending the day being bombarded by reporters and attending a banquet, she was drained. Her feet ached so much that she didn’t want to take another step.
They were staying at the Reassuring Clinic tonight. She kicked off her high heels and collapsed onto the bed, her body heavy with fatigue.
Alaric quickly joined her on the bed, gently massaging her legs. “Standing all day in those heels, of course, you’re tired.”
Stellan sighed, her eyes closing. “You think I wanted to? As your wife, I have to look elegant and beautiful.”
“Yes, you worked hard,” Alaric replied, his hands continuing their soothing movements. “The Reassuring Clinic is open. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be working every day?”
Stellan nodded, her voice tired but determined. “Of course.”
Alaric, ever the considerate husband, advised, “Hire a few more doctors. You’ll be worn out if you try to do it all yourself.”
“I think so too,” Stellan agreed. “I’m on it.”
“Good,” Alaric said with a soft smile, continuing to massage her legs.
“Now, my shoulders,” Stellan requested, her voice strained. “They’re so sore.”
Alaric shifted to her shoulders, kneading the tight muscles there. Stellan closed her eyes, enjoying the relief. “I have to say, your massage skills are quite professional. This feels really good.”
“Glad you enjoy it,” Alaric said, his attention still on her muscles.
Just then, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen.
[Mr. Knight, we found the information on the shop owner. It’s Ambrose, and one of the three tenants is also Ambrose.]
Alaric’s fingers stilled for a moment as he processed the information. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly falling into place.