Upon seeing the changes on Liya’s expression, Jenna said solemnly, “Liya, since you’ve received your higher education, you should understand that Vivian has done her best for you. You have no blood relation with the Richards family, while your mother was just Claude’s mistress and nothing more. Also, the fact that the Richards family welcomed your mother to stay in Richards Manor was purely out of kindness, as your mother has her own family to begin with. You know how much money your Dad tried to extort from Richards Manor in the past, right? Do you really think Vivian kicking you and your mother out of the manor was really a big sin? Even if your mother once conceived Claude’s child, Vivian could just compensate her, but she did more than that. Do you still think that Richards Manor and Vivian owe you and your mother?”
Jenna’s voice was a little cold as she warned Liya seriously.
“What’s most important for a woman is to know how to love herself and act with propriety. Only with dignified actions and good character can one win over everyone’s respect. In the past, you lived with your Mom in Richards Manor for quite some time. Have you really never thought of why your mother wasn’t able to get everyone’s respect?” Even then, she still hoped that she would be able to resolve Liya’s misunderstanding towards Richards Manor and make her come back to her senses. She also hoped that Liya would take the proper path and abandon her goal of becoming the second wife. However, after Liya learnt of everything, she decided that she would never want any men other than Hansen.
In fact, she had to face Oscar’s torture and her father’s forced marriage proposals back home. She had no way out. Only Richards Manor could bring her happiness.
Humans were all selfish, weren’t they?
She knew that her decision would hurt Jenna, but at that moment, she had no choice but to brace herself and go on.
“Jenna, I understand what you meant, but I love Hansen. I have fallen in love with him ever since I was young. I only want to protect him and am willing to do anything for him.” In front of Vivian, Liya sobbed and continued. “Don’t worry, Jenna. I won’t harm your interests. I’ll respect you and treat you as my real sister. Also, I’ll abide by any rules of Richards Manor. This place has been my only home since I was young. If I can stay by Hansen’s side, then I can die without any regrets.”
As she said that, she burst into tears. She sobbed while wiping her tears with her hand.
Jenna tightened her grip on her clothes as she lifted her head to look at Vivian.
Jenna couldn’t see what Vivian was thinking about through her wrinkled face, as she might’ve completely forgotten about the past. Right then, her mind would only be sometimes clear and at times blurry. Perhaps she couldn’t remember anything anymore, or perhaps she might’ve completely forgotten who the crying woman in front of her was.
After Jenna closed her eyes for a while, she held on to Vivian’s hand.
“Liya, since you like Hansen, my husband, so much, then it’s fine. I’ll be willing to do anything as long as it benefits Hansen. Today, I promise you, in front of Grandma, that Hansen will marry you in a grand manner. I’ll also personally host the wedding for you and Hansen. I just hope that you can keep your promise that you’ll only love Hansen wholeheartedly from now on.”
After a while, Jenna opened her eyes and said firmly.
“Is that true? Jenna.” Upon hearing that, Liya’s face revealed a pleasantly surprised expression, and she asked in disbelief.
“Of course. How can I lie in front of Grandma?” Jenna replied firmly, “But Liya, you have to swear in front of Grandma that you’ll love Hansen forever, always be loyal to him, and think of him and Richards Manor with your entire heart. Also, swear that you won’t do any outrageous acts.”
Liya was stunned for a while. Upon understanding Jenna’s intention, she was delighted, as she hurriedly knelt down and said loudly, “Please don’t worry, Grandma, Jenna. I’ll definitely love Hansen with all my heart in the future and am willing to do anything for him. I’ll also protect Richards Manor, just like Jenna.”
Jenna felt the rope that was tying her heart getting tighter and tighter, to the point that she had difficulty breathing.
She steadied her breathing, but her heart was still in great pain.
“Alright, Liya. Remember what you’ve said in front of Grandma and what I’ve told you today. Richards Manor and Vivian don’t owe you anything. They are your benefactors. You should understand the fact that you’re able to get to this point in your life because of Richards Manor. I hope you’ll repay the kindness you’ve received, and not have any selfish motives.” Jenna heaved a long sigh of relief after she spoke. She felt as if she had said something stuffy that had been plaguing her heart for a long time as she actually felt relaxed in an instant.
“Don’t worry, Jenna, I will.” Liya nodded in a hurry. She then said as she blinked her bright eyes, “Thank you, Jenna, for your generosity.”
“No, there’s one more thing. You pushed Jerry into the pool today, which, in my opinion, is unforgivable, but, on account of Grandma’s wishes, I’ll forgive you this one time. If something like this happens in the future again, I’ll definitely not let you off.” Jenna’s face became very stern as she rebuked her.
Liya was frightened. Nodding, she said, “Don’t worry, Jenna, I really didn’t mean to do that today. I’ll treat Jerry as my own son in the future. Please forgive me, Jenna.”
As she said that, the rims of her eyes turned red.
“It’s good as long as you remember it.” Jenna smiled coldly. “I love Hansen. That’s why I’m willing to do anything that can benefit him. So, I’m doing it for my own sake I guess. Also, I hope that you can make up for my shortcomings towards Hansen in the future. Don’t worry. As long as you can behave properly and live on peacefully, I won’t make things difficult for you.”
Speaking of that, she turned her head and said, “Liya, go out first. Wait for me outside.”
Liya agreed and left.
A stream of tears rolled down from Jenna’s eyes.
“Grandma, I’ve already helped you fulfil your wish. Don’t worry, I know what to do.” After Liya left, Jenna whispered in Vivian’s ear.
Vivian’s eyes were fixed on her, with her hand holding onto her hand tightly as she moved her lips, but she could not utter a complete sentence.
“No, my child.” Jenna could faintly hear her saying those few words in a trembling voice. It seemed that she could also hear Vivian saying, “Thank you.” All in all, she did not quite understand what Vivian was trying to convey.
Nevertheless, since Grandma was willing to tell Jenna her regrets, she would be willing to bear that responsibility and fulfill her regrets.
That was her duty as her granddaughter-in-law.
Trevor wanted her to accept reality, and Hansen wanted her to do the same as well. Even Paul and Irvin also thought so. What could she do? If she persisted, it would only make others think that she was narrow-minded.
It was only due to her love for Hansen that she would persist. It was also due to the sense of responsibility she felt towards the family that she chose to accept reality.
She silently turned around, but her hand was grabbed by Vivian.
She turned around to look at Vivian. Tears were welling up in her eyes. Her face that was full of wrinkles panted weakly, as she held onto her hand tightly.
“Grandma, I’ll leave first,” Jenna said to her softly and gently pulled her hand away.
She was worried that if she stayed any longer, she would cry out loud.
She turned around and walked out of Vivian’s bedroom as her heart pulsed with pain.
Liya was waiting for her outside.
“Let’s go,” Jenna said to her flatly and walked towards the outside.
Liya followed closely behind.
The moment they arrived in Green Jade Garden, they met Hansen.
Hansen had just walked out of the living room of Green Jade Garden. He was wearing a black silk top, a pair of casual shorts, and a pair of slippers. He was dressed up in a comfortable and casual manner.
Nonetheless, his noble temperament wasn’t diminished by his clothes. He was standing there quietly, and the aura that was emanating from his body was so elegant and delicate that people couldn’t help looking at him.
The three of them were all stunned.
All of them stood still.
All of Hansen’s gaze fell on Jenna’s face. From beginning to end, he did not even glance at Liya, who was standing beside Jenna.
The sunshine shone in through the layers of leaves and was cast on her hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes, dying her skin golden, bit by bit.
She stood in the shadow of the tree, and the rays of sunshine elogated her shadow.
Hansen looked at her with a complicated gaze.
“Hansen.” Liya couldn’t stand the silence. She broke the silence first by speaking shyly.
Hansen’s gaze remained fixed on Jenna’s face without moving.
“Oh, Hansen, from today onwards, I’m going to let Liya move into Richards Manor. What do you think?” Jenna avoided Hansen’s burning gaze. She took a step forward and asked with a seemingly unhurried smile.
Move in? Hansen’s gaze which was on Jenna deepened upon hearing that.
“Is this your decision, or did you hear of some rumors?” He looked into her eyes and asked in an enigmatic tone.
“It’s my decision,” Jenna replied with certainty as she lowered her head.
Hansen’s gaze deepened even further when he looked into her eyes as if he wanted to see through her.
“By the way, since you’re here, I’ll leave Liya to you. You can arrange where she’s going to live as you like. I won’t have any opinions,” she said in a low voice and turned around. “I still have something to do. I have to leave first.”
As she spoke, she turned around and walked towards the electric vehicles outside.
However, her arm was pulled by Hansen.
“Where are you going?” After being absent-minded for a moment, he asked in a deep voice.
“I still have some matters to attend to. Mom wants me to go home.” She did receive a call from Bailey that day. Initially, she had planned to leave as soon as possible, but since she wanted to see Jerry, she met Liya at the swimming pool, which delayed her plans. She didn’t intend to hide it from Hansen.
Was she going back to the Francist Community?
Hansen lifted his brows and immediately responded, “I’ll go with you.”
“There’s no need for that.” Jenna rejected immediately without a second thought. She didn’t think that going back to her mother’s house with Hansen at that time would go down well with everyone. Since he was determined to marry Liya, she thought that the last person her mother would want to see right then was Hansen. So, why should she create trouble by letting Hansen go with her?
A hint of pain flashed across the depths of Hansen’s eyes. He soon understood Jenna’s thoughts and tightened his grip on her arm.
“Go and look for the butler and ask him to arrange your accommodation.” Hansen turned around and ordered Liya, who was standing beside him, in a cold manner. Then, he moved his arm, picked up Jenna from her back and walked towards the electric vehicle.
Jenna didn’t realize that she had been lifted by Hansen’s strong arms. She only came to her sense when she saw that the scenery around her had started to change. She immediately called out, “Hansen, let me go.”
“Don’t cause trouble. I’ll go with you.” His low and magnetic voice rang in her ear charmingly, but he said it in a tone that indicated that he wouldn’t accept her refusal.