"Why not?" Nancy calmly shot back. "Legitimate children take priority!"Zoe was stunned for a moment, before realizing what Nancy meant.Turning toward Jay, she told him, "Your sister is calling you a b*st*rd."Jay was speechless—Zoe really took it all in stride, did she not?Nancy in turn ignored Zoe and helped Cordy with the bangle, satisfied with how it looked on her wrist. "Johnny's grandmother would definitely be pleased to know that he married such a great wife."Cordy was a little embarrassed from the flattery, while Nancy quickly said, "Alright, let's eat.""Thank you, Aunt Nancy," Cordy said earnestly—being accepted by family was most precious and emotional for her, someone who was denied familial warmth since she was a child.After the tea ceremony, everyone headed to Levine Manor's spacious dining hall for lunch. Zoe was famished, since she hurried to Levine Manor without breakfast, worried that Nancy would scold her for being late. In fact, she would probably get
"But she's Grandma," Yelena said seriously."I look old, don't I?" Nancy asked a little grumpily—it would be upsetting whether she was addressed as grandma or otherwise."No." Yelena shook her head and explained seriously, "You are Mommy's mommy, so that means you're Grandma."Nancy was speechless for a moment, and she snapped, "Eat."She was certainly not bothered to waste her breath with a four-year-old brat, and she carried Yelena to another chair, bringing over a child's fork and spoon to feed her."I don't like cucumbers, Grandma," Yelena huffed. "I want meat.""Your hair will turn gray if you don't eat your greens.""Would that look bad?" Yelena asked."Yes.""But your hair is gray, Grandma," Yelena said, pointing at Nancy's hair.While Nancy was left speechless, Yelena demanded, "I want meat, Grandma."Nancy had no choice but to cut a slice of cod and put it on her plate.After she ate, Yelena said, "I want soup, Grandma. I'm thirsty."Nancy brought her a small bowl
After lunch, John led Cordy upstairs to his room for a break.As they went, Zoe was giggling as she watched them, leaving Cordy speechless. Honestly, why did she have to keep thinking about that stuff?Seemingly reading her mind, John suddenly said, "She's not wrong.""Huh?" Cordy was confused.John leaned in and whispered something into her ear, and she was left flushing right then.He grinned. "Go to bed already, Mrs. Levine.""Should we sleep… in separate beds?" Cordy asked, concerned for his spiritual well-being just then."No." He refused summarily. "I'd rather spontaneously combust than let you spontaneously vanish."Cordy's heart skipped a beat—how scared was he that she would leave him?-Meanwhile, Zoe remained in the parlor, watching a reality show on TV.Jay had left to coax Yelena to take a nap, or he would not be able to return to Zoe.She sat on the couch, feeling that everything there changed though the people living there were different.Suddenly, she had
Zoe stared at Cora in slight surprise, not quite convinced that she could let go of past grievances so easily.Cora read Zoe's mind too and explained, "Since I've been brought back here, my mother has become the most important person to me. She gave me everything I did not even dare dream of before, be it riches, fame, or kinship. To me, her concerns are mine, and I won't care for what she doesn't care about."In other words, Cora changed her opinion of Zoe because Nancy did.It was as much of a surprise as it was unexpected.However, Zoe told her bluntly, "Actually, I think you should be more independent. You shouldn't be living for anyone else."Cora stared at her, unable to react to Zoe's advice, not to mention that her mother had told her the same thing just the other night."I understand that you're still afraid even after being given back what was rightfully yours," Zoe explained. "That's why you're tiptoeing and never gained confidence, because you fear that your newfound
After dinner at Levine Manor, Cordy and John left with Richard, while Zoe and Jay left with Yelena.Nancy walked with them to the door, watching as they got into their car. "Remember to come back often, Johnny." "Yeah," John replied. "But he's going to the capital soon," Zoe said, tactless as ever. "He has to visit Cordy's family, so he's going to be gone for a while. Don't ask too much now."Zoe was among one of few who found out about Cordy's connection to the Cranstons later on, and she thought Cordy must have gotten tired of having to keep hiding that fact from her.In reality, Cordy only told her because there was no threat against them—she did not want her loved ones to worry for her, let alone get them caught in danger.However, before Nancy could say a thing, Cordy turned toward Zoe. "But I never said I'm going to the capital, did I?"Did anyone say anything about that?Zoe appeared perplexed in turn—did she really not know? "But I just heard Jay and John talking abou
Sean was waiting at the airport, glowering as if they owed him money—though he probably would not be that upset even if they did.Still, Cordy noticed in surprise that Patrick was there too! Should he not be in Rocktown? What was he doing here?!"Sean…" Cordy barely began when Sean turned and strode off.He looked really upset.Cordy slid a glance at John, who gave her an assuring look as if it was no issue.Cordy rolled her eyes—for him, maybe, since Sean was not his cousin.She quickly hurried after Sean, though they left the airport in two different cars.Though calm earlier, Cordy was starting to get a little worried because of Sean's silent treatment when John assured her, "Don't worry—I have leverage against him.""What?" Cordy exclaimed in surprise—leverage again Sean? What could it be?John merely grinned enigmatically while their cars soon took them to Cranston Hall.There, Cordy gingerly approached Sean. "How's Grandfather?""You remember him now?" Sean scoffed,
Sean blinked. While a wedding at the capital goes without saying, John also suggested announcing Cordy's identity, which Sean himself had wanted to do for some time if not for Cordy's refusal.Cordy was in turn frowning at John—she never said anything about announcing that.John in turn quickly sensed her displeasure and whispered into her ear, "I have to do this to cajole Sean."In reality, he had planned to announce Cordy's identity for a long while.Naturally, it was not for vanity, but Cordy should shine further because she had what it took.Cordy pursed her lips, since she could understand that Sean would be furious that she decided to get married on her own…Well, whatever. There was no denying that the Cranstons' blood flowed in her veins, and there was nothing bad about letting the public know that part of her anyway.Still, Sean said, "I have another request."John stared at him warily, as if to tell him to toe the line or they would all be in for it if Cordy got u
Richard was not actually watching the adults but was using his phone.He had no concerns these days since his daddy and mommy made up. He was therefore caught by surprise when his daddy suddenly said his name, and he looked at them in confusion.Sean was smart enough to catch what John meant right then—when he was older, Richard could take over the Cranston family estate.The man certainly had brains."What's wrong, Daddy?" Richard asked in confusion just then."Nothing. Get back to using your phone." John smiled.That smile creeped out Richard somehow, as if John was going to sell him off to some slavers.But considering that he was not adopted, and his biological parents had no reason to actually sell him, he shrugged and continued poring over his phone."How about that?" John asked for confirmation.Sean nodded begrudgingly—it was certainly not difficult.The reality was that Sean himself had no intention of abandoning the Cranston family estate easily since it was his gra