Chapter 557 - 549: Countdown to the Main Story’s Finale (Part 1)

"Let’s take it slow. I can’t just accept him again right now. We’ll see how he acts from now on."

Sierra Ainsworth knew this couldn’t be rushed; she could only let nature take its course. "Alright."

The next day, Sharon Ainsworth listened to Nicholas Ainsworth and went on a blind date with a director from her company who was in his thirties.

After meeting him once, Sharon Ainsworth felt he was a man worth marrying. He was reserved and not good with words. A man like that, while not one for sweet talk, was hardworking, honest, and reliable.

She agreed.

The man immediately sent the betrothal gifts. That afternoon, she went with him to register their marriage. The speed of their flash marriage was astonishing.

By the time Quincy found out, Sharon Ainsworth was already officially married. All that was left was to hold the wedding ceremony.

And so, the matter fizzled out.

After both parties agreed, the wedding was set for ten days later. The news of the flash marriage hit the media and immediately made headlines.

When Nora Ainsworth saw the news, she didn’t have much of a reaction. To her, Sharon Ainsworth had long been the most familiar of strangers. Even if they met again, they would be strangers. They were once family, but that bond had completely vanished when her adoptive mother was kicked out.

As for Nicholas Ainsworth, Quentin Grant had his own men keeping a close watch on him and Toby Dalton. If they made any rash moves, Quentin Grant would no longer show mercy.

If they continued to behave themselves, Quentin Grant would leave them alone.

After several days, Dylan Grant was finally able to get out of bed and walk around.

But the first thing he said caught Nora Ainsworth quite by surprise.

"Mommy, Elmer and I want to apologize to May’s family in person. We shouldn’t have let Monty kill their son. When I was sick, you and Daddy were so worried. They must be even more devastated to have lost their son. And the other four families, too. I hope you can take Elmer and me to apologize to each of them."

"Dylan, have you realized where you went wrong?" Nora Ainsworth said. "Mommy never wanted to blow this out of proportion, but I wanted you two to understand that a person only has one life. You can’t just take someone’s life away. Unless your own life is threatened, you must not do something like that."

Dylan Grant nodded. "Mommy, please have the butler prepare some gifts. We’ll go visit them together."

"Okay."

Nora Ainsworth went out to make the arrangements. Dylan Grant looked at Elmer Grant. "Did you remember everything I told you?"

"I remember."

"We need to reflect on this, Elmer. From now on, Monty can only protect us when we need to defend ourselves. Of course, we can’t back down if someone threatens our lives, but there’s a difference in severity."

"I understand, big brother. I know what the old professor taught us, too."

"Good. Come with me to apologize to them. As hard as it is to apologize, it’s much harder for them to have lost their son."

Hand in hand, the two boys went to visit the five families whose sons had been swept off the cliff on Southmount by Monty, including Saphira Sutton’s home.

Their arrival terrified the Sutton Family. Mrs. Sutton’s voice trembled as she spoke, "We won’t do anything to hurt your family again. Why are you here?"

Dylan Grant pulled Elmer Grant forward. "Ma’am, we’ve come to apologize to you."

"Apologize?"

"Ma’am, back then, the three of us were playing at kindergarten and got into a conflict with your grandson. Your son chased us, hit us, and insulted us. Monty swept them off the cliff. This incident caused unspeakable pain to your family. Elmer and I were very ignorant. We hope you won’t be sad anymore. If your family has any difficulties, please tell our family, and we will definitely help you through it. Later, your daughter planned her revenge and seriously injured my little brother, and she hurt Dorothy, too. Let’s not talk about that anymore. We hope to resolve this feud from now on. If you’re still not satisfied, ma’am, you can beat us brothers a few times. But you can’t take our lives. We still have our mommy and daddy."

Dylan Grant’s words made it impossible for the resentful Sutton Family to feel any more hatred toward the Grant Family. Mrs. Sutton’s eyes filled with tears. Even if she weren’t afraid of the Grant Family, she could never bring herself to hit these two children.

"Since you’ve said all that, what more can I say? I just told my family yesterday that this matter ends here."

"Thank you, ma’am," Elmer said, deeply moved by his brother’s words.

The two boys knelt and kowtowed several times to Mrs. and Mr. Sutton, then stood up and returned to Nora Ainsworth’s side.

"I was out of the country when this happened. When I returned, their father told me about it. He was also very angry about the incident and punished them that very day. But no amount of punishment can undo what’s been done. We can only make them remember never to make such a mistake again."

Saphira Sutton then said, "Seeing how sincere your family is, we have nothing more to say. My brother is gone, anyway."

Mr. Sutton nodded. "This matter is over. No one is to bring it up again."

Nora Ainsworth took out a passbook and handed it to Mrs. Sutton. "This is for the child. It’s so hard to lose a father at such a young age. Try not to tell the child too much about it. Knowing too much will affect him."

Mrs. Sutton took it and nodded.

Only then did Nora Ainsworth leave the Sutton home with her two boys.

The door closed. Mrs. Sutton looked at the number in the passbook and sighed. "It seems they were truly sincere in their apology this time."

"Even if they hadn’t apologized, what could you do to them? Seeing how sincere they were, let’s just leave it at that."

Saphira Sutton said listlessly, "To be honest, my brother didn’t do much for the family when he was alive anyway. He just fooled around all day. In a way... it’s like he did a service to the public by being gone..."

Mrs. Sutton snorted. "And you knew that, yet you went and stirred up so much trouble. You must have had nothing better to do! Your brother may be dead, but you seriously hurt their two children, and now they’ve given us so much money. That’s enough. From now on, just live a proper life. And you, you’re not getting any younger. It’s time you got married. Find someone and settle down."

Hearing this, Saphira Sutton immediately retorted, "Is there anyone around here who’s worthy of me? I don’t see anyone I’d even consider."

Mrs. Sutton shot her a look. "You’re still being picky? You should be glad they’re not the ones being picky about you!"

"Is that any way to talk about your own daughter?"

"Sure there is. Isn’t that what I’m doing right now?"

Saphira Sutton pouted angrily. "Dad! Look at Mom!"

Mr. Sutton gave a rare smile. "Alright, what’s all the arguing about? Your marriage is your own decision to make."

Only then did Saphira Sutton nod. "Now that’s more like it. I’d rather have quality over quantity. If I can’t find someone I have feelings for, I’ll stay single my whole life."

Mrs. Sutton’s voice came from the bedroom, "Then you’ll be single for the rest of your life!"

"Mom! ..."

Back at the upscale residential complex, Dorothy Ellsworth was waiting at the gate for Dylan Grant.

When she saw the car pull into the driveway, she ran in after it.

She was holding a bouquet of roses, which she offered to Dylan Grant. "Dylan, I heard you got out of bed today. I picked these especially for you from my family’s garden."

"It’s usually the boy who gives the girl roses. Why is it the other way around?" Nora Ainsworth teased with a smile.

Dorothy Ellsworth gave a shy smile. "Because I want to."

Then, seeing Elmer Grant turn and walk away, Dorothy Ellsworth chased after him. "Elmer! Elmer!"

"What?" Elmer glared at her. "I don’t want to play with you."

"But why? Your brother already forgave me. Why won’t you?"

"I think you’re brainless. Did my aunt forget to finish putting your brain together when she gave birth to you?"

Dorothy Ellsworth touched her head with both hands. "No, she didn’t, Elmer. Look, my head is fine. It’s a whole, complete head. It’s not unfinished."

"..." After a few seconds of silence, one word was squeezed from between Elmer’s teeth. "Idiot."

Dorothy Ellsworth grinned, revealing two neat rows of small white teeth, and turned to look at Dylan Grant. "Dylan, hurry up and talk to him. He says he won’t play with me anymore."

"Elmer’s just joking with you."

Dorothy Ellsworth went up and linked her arm through Elmer’s small one. "I knew Elmer wouldn’t ignore me."

Only then did Elmer’s stern little face relax. He glanced at Dorothy. "You’re such an idiot. Only my brother likes being with you."

Dorothy Ellsworth didn’t take it to heart. "If you’re so smart, are there any other little girls who play with you besides me? And you have the nerve to call me stupid."

"..."

Dylan Grant laughed. "Alright, Dorothy has a point. Come on, Elmer, we’re all good friends. Let’s not argue about it. Wouldn’t it be nice to go back to how we were before?"

"Fine," Elmer finally replied.

The three children looked at each other and smiled. Their laughter, like the ringing of bells, spread out under the sun—crisp and precious.

「Half a month later.」

The Grant family of four, along with Mr. and Mrs. Grant, traveled to Valeria to attend Sierra Ainsworth and Aaron Sterling’s wedding.

The wedding was held at the Sterling estate.

Watching Sierra Ainsworth in her pure white wedding gown, walking down the red carpet toward the other end with Aaron Sterling holding her hand, Nora Ainsworth gave a knowing smile.

This was the happiest day for the Ainsworths.

When it was time to change into her reception dress, Sierra Ainsworth returned to the bridal suite alone. After changing into a red gown and preparing to go to the banquet to make toasts, she was passing Mrs. Sterling’s room when a voice from inside stopped her in her tracks.

"Is there something a little different about the way your daughter-in-law walks? Did she sprain her ankle?"

Mrs. Sterling’s voice replied nonchalantly, "Not at all. That’s just how she is. She lost her foot for some reason, so she’s wearing a prosthesis."

"Then why would your son want someone like that? It must be because of the Ainsworth Family’s status and money, right?"

Mrs. Sterling lowered her voice a bit. "You’re being so blunt. Her family background is all she has going for her. Do you know who her brother-in-law is? Quentin Grant. Other than that, she’s just a disabled person. The reason our Aaron is marrying her, to put it plainly, is just because her family situation is so much better than the average girl’s. Otherwise, with a boy like our Aaron, she wouldn’t even get a turn in the queue."

Sierra Ainsworth stood at the door, her hands suddenly clenching into fists.

"Did your son say that himself?"

"Of course. Otherwise, why would I have ever agreed to their marriage?"

Sierra Ainsworth pushed open the bedroom door. The two people talking inside jumped in fright. Mrs. Sterling’s expression changed again and again.

"Mother-in-law, you speak so nicely. You probably don’t know this, but my parents don’t allow my brother-in-law to have any business dealings with the Sterling Family. And the Ainsworth Family certainly won’t either. So, I’m afraid your wishful thinking was all for nothing!"

Hearing this, Mrs. Sterling was instantly furious. "What did you say?"