Gratitude
Niki was the first to speak, her face filled with indescribable joy. “Aunt Mills, what did you say?”
Upon hearing the news, the worry on her face gradually faded away, leaving only immense delight.
Raising an eyebrow, Niki thought Natalie still had a bit of conscience, not standing by and watching
the Graham family meet their demise.
However… Her eyes flickered as a mischievous smile formed on her lips. Whatever Natalie did for
the Graham family, she gained nothing in return.
Julian would not marry Natalie just because of what she did, but Julian would still marry her!
Natalie’s plan to regain her position in the Graham family by authorizing Linda had backfired.
Niki turned her head to look at Julian, but his face displayed no signs of joy. Instead, there was a
hint of seriousness and dissatisfaction…?
Frowning, Niki wondered why Julian didn’t seem too pleased. But her frown lasted only a moment
as she composed herself.
The woman continued to smile. “Julian, aren’t you happy? With the authorization, Graham Group can
finally overcome its difficulties!”
Julian remained silent.
An impatient voice rang out, “What does Graham Group’s situation have to do with you?”
“I…” Niki clutched her skirt, unable to articulate her thoughts clearly.
After all, she was going to marry into the Graham family. How could it not concern her?
But Niki also knew that Linda didn’t want her to marry into the Graham family… On this joyous
occasion, she didn’t intend to stir up trouble or make Linda unhappy. She didn’t want any negative
consequences.
Seeing Niki’s hesitant and fidgety behavior, Linda’s displeasure became more apparent.
How could such a timid and fidgety attitude be worthy of Julian?
In her mind, Linda strongly resisted, choosing to ignore Niki altogether.
However, Niki wasn’t offended. She couldn’t contain her smile and secretly rejoiced that she hadn’t
left Graham Group at this moment.
Otherwise she would never be able to return.
*Julian, did you hear that? Aunt said she obtained the authorization,” Niki hurriedly approached
Julian, taking hold of his sleeve with excitement.
Julian helped Grandpa Graham to the sofa and then looked at Linda. “Natalie agreed to authorize
you?”
His tone was calm and devoid of any jubilation.
Linda nodded.
Upon hearing this, Julian narrowed his eyes, his gaze profound, as if contemplating something.
Suddenly, an elderly voice sounded, full of age and wisdom, “Really? That’s fantastic! The Graham
family is saved!” It was completely different from the usual dignified manner.
Grandpa Graham trembled as he stood up, his once white hair, marked by worries, now appeared
radiant.
Even his excitement was reflected in a rosy glow. It formed a sharp contrast with Julian’s
expressionless face.
There was a sharp contrast with Julian’s expressionless expression.
“Dad, please have a seat,” Linda approached Grandpa Graham, who was visibly excited, and helped
him sit down.
“Nana is a kind-hearted girl. Despite you openly driving her away at the banquet.”
“she still chose to set aside past grievances and granted us the authorization.”
“If it was someone else, they wouldn’t have been as magnanimous as Nana, willing to grant the
authorization to the Graham family,” Linda said, glancing at Niki with a meaningful look.
Niki noticed the gaze and furrowed her brows. Was Linda talking about her?
When did she become so petty?
Grandpa Graham stroked his beard and nodded. “I remember now. Nana was truly wronged in the
last incident…”
His tone was full of regret.
“Nana is truly kind-hearted. When you were unwell, she stayed by your side every step of the way,”
Grandpa Graham reminisced about the moments Natalie had spent in the Graham family.
“Yes, Nana has had a difficult life. She did so much for the Graham family, yet she was still driven
away. Just thinking about it makes me feel ashamed,” Linda expressed her deep sense of shame.
However, Julian completely ignored their previous conversation. He just furrowed his brows and
inquisitively asked, “What did you use to exchange for the authorization?”
Linda blinked, not fully understanding Julian’s meaning.
“What did you use to exchange for the authorization from Natalie?” Julian repeated his question. “She
wouldn’t have given it to the Graham family for nothing.”
What did Julian think of Natalie?!
Did he believe that she had a hidden agenda when granting the authorization to the Graham
family?
Linda was furious, but before she could speak, Niki spoke up, “Could it be that Natalie didn’t agree
to the authorization because of Julian?”
“Is she using it as leverage to prevent a divorce?”
Julian narrowed his eyes.
“Nana didn’t ask for anything!” Linda glanced at Niki in annoyance.
“Really? She didn’t make any requests or demands?” Julian seemed skeptical.
…Linda furrowed her brows. She spoke up, “At the time, I thought Nana wouldn’t agree, so I wanted
to ask her for a brooch…” Now that she thought about it, Linda felt that the brooch resembled the
one in the Graham family.
“But Nana later gave the authorization to the Graham family and kept the brooch for herself.”
“Brooch? What brooch?” Julian keenly caught the keyword.
“Ah…” Linda didn’t want to continue.
She knew that as soon as she mentioned the brooch, Julian would remember Henry.
The relationship between the two brothers wasn’t good to begin with.
Ever since Henry’s passing, Linda had hoped that Julian’s hatred towards his brother would
diminish and he would remember the good in him.
But to her surprise, Julian’s resentment only grew stronger, which was something she didn’t want to
witness.
Linda changed the subject, “Dad, it’s getting late. Let me help you upstairs to bed?”
However, Julian didn’t want Linda to change the topic and held onto it tightly. “What was that
brooch you mentioned just now?” He demanded.
Linda remained silent.
They confronted each other.
The sound of a cane hitting the ground interrupted their standoff. “Regardless of whether Nana
demanded something in exchange for the authorization, she is the benefactor of the Graham
family!”
“If she is willing to grant us the authorization, it is our honor as the Graham family!”
“Do you care about what Nana used as leverage?” The old master became increasingly agitated,
and the rhythm of his cane striking the ground grew faster.
Each strike echoed in Julian’s heart, and he pressed his lips together without saying a word.
“Tomorrow, invite Nana to have a meal alone and sincerely thank her!”
Gratitude was highly valued in the Graham family, and Natalie helped them through difficult times.
It was only right to express their appreciation.
Besides, Nana was already a member of the Graham family.
“What?!” Niki widened her eyes and couldn’t help raising her voice in excitement.
The fact that the old master wanted Julian to invite Natalie to dinner alone was unbelievable!
How could that be? With Natalie’s seductive personality, she would surely latch onto Julian and
never let go!
She couldn’t allow that.
Hearing Niki’s voice, the old master coldly glanced at her.
“Did you hear that?” He turned to Julian, who remained silent throughout.
Julian wore a distant expression, his eyes filled with a hidden coldness.
Update Chapter 167 of After the Divorce, CEO Realizes He’s
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Key: After the Divorce, CEO Realizes He’s the Stand-In Lover Chapter 167
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