Chapter 135
Pete sneered, “She’s almost the same age as Celly, and Celly’s already got two kids. But your precious one here is still just a kid, huh?”
“Who asked you to speak? Keep your mouth shut!”
Murdock’s brow twitched in irritation.
He’d just about given up on Pete, his own son.
Always contradicting him, always pushing back–sometimes Murdock wondered if Pete wouldn’t be happier if he just dropped dead on the spot.
“What are you all shouting about? You think my house is a street market?”
A frail figure, hair as white as snow, appeared in the doorway.
Celestine’s eyes instantly welled up. She was the first to call out, “Grandpa.”
Pete followed with a stiff, “Grandpa.”
Luther Selwyn’s eyes lit up at the sight of the two, but his delight quickly faded as he caught the troubled look on their faces. Glancing around at the others in the room, his expression chilled.
“What brings you all here?”
Years ago, when Murdock insisted on marrying Edna and bringing that child into the family, Luther had been so furious it nearly broke his heart. Unless there was real trouble, he rarely asked Murdock to come by–and if he did, he certainly didn’t want that woman and her daughter in his house.
Murdock bristled, “Dad, come on. What, we can’t visit unless there’s a crisis? Jade, say hello.”
Jade sniffled, her voice trembling. “Gr-”
“Don’t! I only have one granddaughter and that’s Celly. I won’t have you calling me Grandpa.”
Luther’s rejection was swift and absolute.
Jade’s face crumpled in hurt.
Luther waved his cane. “There you go, crying again! I swear, if you keep this up, you’ll drive all the good fortune out of this house!”
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17:33
Chapter 130
Jade bit her lip hard, fighting back tears.
But Celestine had started crying the moment she walked in–why was it only a problem when she did it?
Murdock’s face darkened. “Dad, isn’t that a little unfair…”
Luther banged his cane on the floor. “Unfair? I should favor anyone over my own grandkids? Spare me the crocodile tears. I never invited you here. Either those two leave, or you all leave together. Your choice.”
Edna quickly tugged her daughter aside. “Murdock, don’t upset your father. We dropped by unannounced today. You stay and talk to Dad–I’ll take Jade home.”
She had come hoping to use the old man’s connections to find a good match for Jade. But with Luther’s attitude, that was clearly out of the question. Still, at least she’d secured the Northwick restaurant thanks to Chester’s help; not a total loss.
Sometimes you just had to know when to cut your losses.
Murdock seethed, cursing himself for his own weakness, but when Edna shot him a warning glance, he reluctantly stayed behind.
“Spineless,” Luther muttered, glaring.
Then he turned to Celestine, his face softening. “Celly, you look thinner than ever–your cheeks have no color at all. Did you and Chester come together?”
Celestine was about to say no when the man beside her spoke first. “Yes, Grandpa. We came to see you together.”
Chester had come today hoping to use Luther’s influence to ease the fallout from the Prescott deal collapsing. He hadn’t expected to run into Celestine here. It was pure coincidence, but he covered it well.
Celestine cursed under her breath. Liars always looked so calm when they lied.
Luther nodded, the faintest smile on his lips. “Good. As long as you two are getting along, that’s all I care about, Ignore those rumors online–those supposed girlfriends and flings, clear them up when you have time. People who know you understand you’re nothing like that, but strangers won’t realize you’re married.”
He gave Chester a pointed look, then gently drew Celestine down beside him on the sofa.
Chester lowered his gaze. “Yes, Grandpa, I’ll take care of it.”
