Chapter 42
"It's exactly what you see in front of you." Grandpa's voice carried a trace of sorrow and regret. "It's our fault. It's the Frost family's fault for Wendy's tragedy. It's my fault that I've not been able to properly discipline my own son."
My late mother-in-law had a beautiful name, Wendy Lawson. After hearing Grandpa's words, I was completely dumbstruck.
It turned out, my mother-in-law didn't die from hard labor. She was pushed down the stairs when she was in her final weeks of pregnancy.
The person who pushed her was none other than Ryan's stepmother, who treated him as her own, and ironically ended up in a coma in an attempt to save him.
My mind was in turmoil. How could she treat Ryan so well and yet be the one who killed his biological mother? It didn't make sense at all.
Before I could sort everything out in my head, Grandpa continued, "I don't understand why she could be so good to Ryan."
"It's all..." Grandpa sneered. "It's all about personal interests."
"After Ryan's mother passed away, your muddled father insisted on marrying Lauren Wood."
"Lauren wrecked the surveillance before taking action, thinking she could get away with it. She cried, made a scene, and even threatened to kill herself just to get me to allow her to marry John." Upon hearing this, I understood. "You had someone repair the surveillance?"
"Yes." Grandpa nodded and gritted his teeth. "But John seemed to be possessed, and despite the evidence in front of him, he insisted on marrying Lauren!"
Grandpa was furious and slammed his teacup hard, sending it flying!
Even now, he could still be so enraged; one could only imagine his anger all those years back.
Afraid that Grandpa would lose his temper again, Albert patted his back and continued where he left off, "Back then, Grandpa had no choice but to let
Lauren in. But on two conditions. One was that Lauren must sign a premarital agreement ensuring that she had no claim to the Frost family's assets. The other was to guarantee that Ryan would grow up safe and sound. Otherwise, the evidence would be handed over to the police."
Premeditated murder. Such a crime was enough to cause Lauren a lot of trouble.
I shivered at the thought. I never knew the reason why Grandpa disliked Wendy and Jessica that much.
Ryan's impression of his "kind mother" turned out to be the result of Grandpa's manipulation of her ugly human nature.
I hesitated and asked, "Does Ryan know about this..."
"I couldn't bear to tell him." Albert interrupted. This was the only explanation he could give.
I felt things couldn't be that simple, but it was inconvenient for me to ask any more questions.NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.
Even I felt some sympathy for Ryan, let alone Grandpa.
Losing his mother at a young age and the stepmother he devotedly repaid for saving his life probably never genuinely cared for him.
What about Jessica?
Did she know about all this?
Thinking about it, I felt a little overwhelmed.
But then again, this was something beyond my control.
At least Ryan genuinely loved Jessica.
"Jessica was raised by Lauren alone. She's not as simple as she looks."
Grandpa sighed. "So, I initially objected to Ryan marrying her. Now that you, such a good daughter-in-law, are here, I'm even more reluctant..."
He paused, then poured some tea for me himself. He then asked as if he was begging me, "Charlotte, can you postpone the divorce?" "Grandpa..."
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"Don't worry. I'm just asking you to delay the divorce, not cancel it." Grandpa then added, "Once I turn 80, if you're still dissatisfied with that brat, you can divorce him as you please." "Okay, I'll do as you say," I agreed without hesitation.
Ever since I entered the Frost family, Grandpa had shown me nothing but love. He never asked me for anything and never allowed anyone to bully me.