"Mom, why bring this up now?" Alexander was surprised.
"I couldn't allow a split before. Your brother had just passed, and everything was chaos.
If we divided then, we'd lose the family entirely.
I couldn't let the Sterling name fall apart.
So I insisted we stay together, no matter what.
Of course, I was a bit selfish too.
Audrey and Scarlett aren't my blood, but I raised them since they were little. They're like my own daughters.
I didn't want them to suffer later.
They chose their own husbands. They love them, so I had no objections.
But honestly, neither man has the skill to run a company alone.
If we split, they'd probably struggle.
Sterling equity has always passed only to men, not women. They'd only get other assets.
Then they'd be on their own.
Now you help them live comfortably. After a split, who knows? That's why I refused before.
This time, I nearly died. Next time, I might not be so lucky.
So I've been thinking. My children and grandchildren have their own paths.
Worrying too much is useless." Eleanor sighed.
"Mom, you're overthinking again! Let's focus on your recovery. You're getting better every day. No more hospital visits!" Alexander said.
"I'm not a child you can fool. I know my body. Every day is a gift now!" Eleanor smiled.
"So why bring up splitting again? Did Audrey or Scarlett say something?" Alexander asked.
"They didn't say much, but their faces tell everything.
They're afraid I'll die and leave everything to you and Ethan."
"Mom, they're not that bad!" Alexander frowned.
"Not bad, just selfish. They only care about their own interests.
Audrey is gentler, more honest. Scarlett is more calculating. She's weak, so she pushes Audrey.
They've always felt I favored your brother since he was young. They think it's unfair because they're not my blood.
If I were truly bad, I wouldn't have brought them home and declared them my daughters.
But I've done my part with a clear conscience. If they can't appreciate me, so be it. I'm old enough not to care.
So I've been thinking. If you agree and they insist, I'll call the lawyer to divide the property.
As for Rose and Ethan, they'll get their share, but you still need to help them.
Rose is in no state to manage anything.
Ethan is smart but not ready. He just wants to play.
If you don't guide him, he might lose everything before he's independent.
What do you think?"
"Mom, I'd prefer we stay together.
We're a family.
A family lives together, works together, grows together, and accommodates each other.
No need to count who gives more or gets more.
But if Audrey and Scarlett insist on splitting.
I won't object.
As for Rose, as long as I have food on my table, she and Ethan won't go hungry." Alexander replied.
"Good. That puts my mind at ease.
I'll talk to your sisters later.
I'll let you know how it goes." Eleanor said.
"Alright.
If possible, Mom, please convince them. Staying together, working hard as a family, is better than anything." Alexander said finally.
Eleanor nodded.
Alexander left the main house and returned to Sterling Manor.
Evelyn was tidying his study.
Now she arranged everything in his study.
The floors, the furniture, always spotless.
He was a clean freak, but he realized Evelyn was even more meticulous.
"Didn't you wipe the bookshelf yesterday?" Alexander asked with a smile.
"There's dust again today!" Evelyn smiled back. "You're back! Hungry? Want me to make you a snack?"
"No, I ate at Mom's. Are you busy?" Alexander asked.
"Need something? Go ahead. I'll just finish wiping." Evelyn said.
"No, I just want to talk to my wife." Alexander said, a faint smile on his face.
"Oh, I'll finish quickly!" Evelyn looked at him, puzzled, then said.
After wiping the bookshelf, Evelyn showered and changed. Then she came out and sat across from Alexander.
A pot of fruit tea and some cakes were on the table.
Clearly, Alexander had asked Lily to prepare them. They were all Evelyn's favorites.
"What's the special occasion?" Evelyn took the fruit tea and asked with a smile.
"Nothing special." Alexander said.
"Oh, so you're in a good mood?" Evelyn continued.
"Actually, I'm a bit down." Alexander admitted.
"Ah? Really? What's wrong?" Evelyn looked at him.
"Nothing. Maybe men have mood cycles too, like women's periods." Alexander said.
"Stop joking. What's really going on?" Evelyn asked.
"Evelyn, what do you think about splitting the family?" Alexander finally looked up at her.
"Splitting? Why would we do that?" Evelyn asked.
"Mom talked to me tonight about it.
She said if Audrey and Scarlett keep insisting, and I don't object, she'll go ahead." Alexander explained.
"Would it be better than now?" Evelyn still didn't understand.
"I don't know. Maybe better, maybe worse. It depends on how we live our lives."
"Why do they want to split?
Isn't it good now?
We all have our own houses, our own lives. We have family dinners regularly. The whole house is lively.
It's no different from being separated." Evelyn continued.
"Right now, we all live on salaries and year-end dividends.
After splitting, everyone controls their own property." Alexander explained.
"What do you need so much money for? Can't we live well now?" Evelyn asked.