“She really has the nerve to ask for that much. Isn’t she afraid of choking on it?” Eleanor Sterling sneered. The next second, she lifted her head to look at her youngest son. “Do you agree to this?”
“I agree to give her half of my personal dividends,” Gray said.
“You foolish child! Do you actually believe her?” Eleanor asked, torn between laughter and frustration.
“I just didn’t want our family to tear itself apart. I never expected things to end up like this,” Gray replied calmly.
“You… no matter how much you give to someone who doesn’t know gratitude, she’ll never be satisfied. This is only a temporary fix, not a real solution,” Eleanor said, shaking her head.
“Mom, about what the third sister said—” Gray began.
Eleanor paused for a moment, then looked up at her son.
“What child? You are not some outsider’s child. Whose child would you be? You never have to doubt that.”
Gray held his mother’s gaze. After a long moment, he spoke. “If you say so, Mom.”
“You little brat. What exactly do you mean by that?” Eleanor said with a faint smile.
“Mom, the third sister… she’s just confused. Teach her a lesson, but don’t be too harsh,” Gray continued.
“Gray, some people are never worth your softness. You need to understand the simple truth of the farmer and the snake. Some people know gratitude. You can be good to them. Others don’t. No matter how kind you are, they think it’s their due. They’ll even take a mile. Don’t let your kindness end up being nothing but endless trouble,” Eleanor said solemnly.
“Mom, I understand. It’s just the third sister—” Gray tried again.
“I’ll handle it. You don’t need to worry. Evie doesn’t know about any of this. Don’t let her find out. She’s pregnant now. It’s better she doesn’t get involved in all this mess,” Eleanor instructed.
“I’ll let her stay at her mother’s house for a couple of days. Let things cool down. Then I’ll bring her back.”
“Alright. There’s nothing wrong with me. Go keep Evie company.”
“Mom, get some rest. Don’t think about it anymore.”
“Okay.” Eleanor nodded.
Gray walked out of his mother’s room. Eleanor sighed as she watched her son’s figure disappear behind the door.
Some things, people only understand when they do them. Fortunately, she had been well prepared from the start. That was why she wasn’t caught off guard today. If Lillian wanted to fight her, she was still too green. No matter what, Eleanor had crossed more bridges than Lillian had walked on. If Lillian wanted a fight, she’d need decades more practice.
Gray returned to Sterling Manor from the main house. He took a shower, changed into his home clothes, and stood by the window to smoke. He planned to rest first and settle things in the afternoon.
Staring at the dark lotus pond, Gray couldn’t quite read his own mood. Some things others might only guess at, but he had a feeling. Things weren’t as simple as they seemed.
He didn’t want to dig deeper. Sometimes it was unnecessary. Sometimes it was better to stay confused.
Gray put out his cigarette and went back to the bedroom. He had slept less than three hours last night. He just wanted to rest and think about what to do next.
Downstairs, Evie woke from her nap. Her mother had cooked something and told her to drink it while it was hot. Feeling a little hungry, Evie sat down on the sofa. She took the bowl of soup from her mother with one hand and grabbed the TV remote with the other. She wanted to watch TV and drink soup at the same time.
The next second, her mother snatched the remote and turned off the TV. The reason? Pregnant women should watch less TV. Radiation.
Evie was speechless.
“Mom, don’t be so dramatic! The sun has radiation too. And the doctor told me to get more sun!”
“The doctor told you to get more sun, not to stand in the sun twenty-four hours a day. Besides, sunbathing helps you absorb calcium. What good does watching TV do?” Amelia Vance replied.
“I can learn things from TV!”
“Don’t corrupt my grandchild with that nonsense about learning. Just drink your soup!”
Evie had just taken a sip of soup and almost choked. When did her mother become such a storyteller?
The doorbell rang. The nanny went to answer it, then turned to say it was the young master.
“Gray?” Amelia asked.
“No, he went to work this afternoon,” Evie hesitated.
“What’s wrong?” Amelia saw Gray walk into the room. She stared at Evie and said, “Gray is here!”
“Mom—” Gray called out as he walked over.
Evie held her soup bowl, staring at Gray in a daze. She hadn’t reacted yet. Not until Gray sat down beside her did she finally ask.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Then her mother shot her a glare. Well, she was just a little surprised. How did Gray, who was supposed to be at the office, end up here?
“Nothing much this afternoon. I just came to see you,” Gray said.
“You’re skipping work?” Evie laughed.
“Gray, stay and keep Evie company. I’ll go out and buy some groceries. We’ll have dinner at home tonight,” Amelia said.
“Yes, please, Mom.” Gray nodded.
“What’s with the formality? We’re family,” Amelia said with a smile. She grabbed her wallet and went out to buy groceries.
Evie looked at Gray and asked with a grin. “Why are you free this afternoon?”
“Can’t you show a little more surprise?” Gray asked.
“I’m so surprised I can hardly believe it,” Evie replied righteously.
Gray smiled, staring at Evie. He reached out and habitually rubbed her head. Evie handed him the soup bowl.
“Don’t want to drink anymore?” Gray asked, a little helpless.
“This is my second bowl. You help me finish it, or Mom will nag me again,” Evie said.
“You’re raising a baby. What am I?” Gray asked, half laughing, half crying.
“You’re raising the fetus too. If you’re strong, I’ll feel good looking at you. If I’m in a good mood, the baby will be in a good mood too,” Evie said.
Gray looked at Evie with a smile. Even when she came up with crooked ideas, she could say them with such a straight face.
Suddenly, Evie stopped and stared at Gray.
“What’s wrong?” Gray finished the soup, put the bowl back on the coffee table, and asked.
“Didn’t you sleep well last night? Why are your eyes so dark?” Evie looked into Gray’s eyes and said.
“Your sleeping position is getting worse and worse. I spent the whole night covering you up,” Gray replied with a smile.
“How is that possible? I never kick off the covers!” Evie retorted immediately. The next second, she added a little guiltily, “At most, I kick them off once in a while. I don’t kick them off all night!”