“Honey, that’s not how you crunch the numbers,” Hilaria said seriously. “You gotta know, the Strand
Group pissed off a lot of people in their heyday. You’ve met Jacob’s mom. Money ain’t a shield,
especially in a place where power players are dime a dozen. Power’s the real deal.“/
“So, you’re saying we need to protect them?“. Rosalynn asked.
Hilaria dropped her gaze, mulling over her words for a while. “Even though our connections have faded
over the generations, Kendal Strand helped me
out when I was in a tough spot. He’s gone now, and his descendants have landed the Strand Group in
hot water. If I just stand by and do nothing, I wouldn’t be able to face Kendal even in death.”
Kendal was Jacob’s great–grandfather.
Back in the day, a young Hilaria had pissed off a big shot.
Even though Kendal was up in years, he stepped up to the plate and helped her dodge a bullet.
“Got it, Grandma. Whatever you wanna do, Wayne and I are with you,” Rosalynn said without
hesitation.
Hilaria nodded, then she wanted to say something more, but stopped herself.
“Grandma, do you really need to think twice before talking to me?” Rosalynn asked with a smile.
“To be honest, there’s only so much outsiders like us can do to turn the tide for the Strand Group…“”
Rosalynn’s smile gradually faded, saying, “We need Jacob to come back.”
“Mhm.” Hilaria nodded.
“He…he’ll come back.” Rosalynn’s voice was filled with a mix of helplessness and determination.
Jacob was a walking contradiction.
He loved Erica deeply, but kept pushing her away.
After pushing her away, he’d find ways to pull her back in.
Similarly, he had been carrying the burden of the Strand family for over thirty years..
Now he was burnt out and chose to walk away from it all.
But that responsibility was just like Erica.
He could shoulder it, but it wasn’t guaranteed he could let it go completely.
After all, behind that responsibility was the entire Strand family, his flesh and blood.
“So, being born into wealth, we don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse for these kids.” Hilaria let out a
deep sigh.
“Alright, we’ve busted our asses to cheer you up, so stop frowning.” Rosalynn playfully smoothed out
Hilaria’s furrowed brows. “Jacob’s in his prime, who knows, maybe in a couple of years he’ll catch a
break!”
“I hope you’re right,” Hilaria said, casting a glance at the silently weeping Ivy. “Why did Wayne have to
go to work right now?!”
Hilaria was getting anxious, her saving grace was coming down from upstairs.
“Ivy, what are you doing standing here?” he asked, looking at Ivy with genuine concern.
Ivy didn’t answer, only continued crying.
Rosalynn chuckled. “Grandma scolded her, so she’s facing the wall as punishment.”
Ivy cried harder, even whimpering a little.
Hilaria shot Rosalynn a glare, then lightly pinched her leg.
Cory came down. “But school’s about to start, she hasn’t caught up with her studies yet.”
That’s exactly what Hilaria was waiting for.
“Is that so?” she raised her voice. “Study is definitely important. You should go study then!”
Ivy turned around, still crying.
Hilaria took one look at her and felt a pang in her heart.
Ivy’s nose and eyes were red from crying, she looked pitiful.
“Grandma, I’ll go study now.”
“Mhm.” Hilaria nodded.
Ivy wiped her tears and headed to the study.
Once she was in the study, Hilaria immediately called Laura. “What are you daydreaming about? Go
make some of her favourite snacks and bring them to the study!”
“Yes, I’ll do it right away!” Laura nodded hastily.
Rosalynn leaned back on the sofa, watching Hilaria leisurely. “You’ve been angry at her all morning.
What’s this all about?”
“I wanted to teach her a lesson!” Hilaria said, extending her arms to Cory. “Come here, sweetheart,
give me a hug!”
Cory was actually just coming downstairs for his daily shake because his alarm clock went off.
He slowly walked over.
Hilaria pulled him into a hug. “To be honest, you’re the one who gives me the least headaches in this
family. But you gotta eat more, put some meat on your bones. Take it easy on studying.”
“Don’t worry, I will!”
“Good boy!” Hilaria patted his back. “Go have your shake. After that, try to look into the distance more
often. Don’t always be staring at your computer.
I’m worried about your eyes.”
“Okay!”
Hilaria watched lovingly as Cory headed to the dining room.
Thinking about Ivy’s close brush with death, she felt a sharp pain in her heart. “What kid from any
family, starting from the womb, has to go through so
much hardship? She’s so young, but she’s already had a brush with death. Jesus, this is just too
much!!!”
“Alright.” Rosalynn patted Hilaria’s shoulder. “So, what are we gonna do for Jacob?”
“Let’s go to my study.” Hilaria got up.
Rosalynn followed her into Hilaria’s suite.
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