Chapter 319: What a Beautiful Brooch

Leo Grant completely ignored the pile of resentful glares. ‘After all, I have a get-out-of-jail-free card. What’s there to be afraid of?’

‘This is very likely the last time I’ll be able to order those people around with a legitimate excuse. If I don’t seize this chance, what else is there to seize?’

‘Seize the beat? What a god-awful pun…’

Nearby, Old Master Grant also spoke up.

“The weather is just perfect for taking wedding photos. You and Nana can talk it over. Go wherever you two want to shoot them.”

“Besides, your dad isn’t doing anything anyway. Just dump the company business on him and focus on preparing for the wedding. If you make a profit, it belongs to the company. If you take a loss, it’ll come out of your dad’s personal accounts.”

“But, Dad, I…”

Before Mr. Grant could finish, Old Master Grant cut him off with a sharp tone.

“‘Dad’ this, ‘Dad’ that! Haven’t you been weaned yet? All you do all day is cry ‘Dad, Dad, Dad’! Cut the crap. This matter is settled!”

Noticing his pleading gaze, Mrs. Grant mercilessly pulled her sleeve from his grasp.

“Why are you tugging at me? I think Dad is right. Since you’re not doing anything, what’s wrong with helping out at the company? Besides, Wanda Sloan and I have things to discuss. We won’t have time to deal with you, and this way you won’t be an eyesore for Dad at home.”

Mr. Grant was speechless. ‘…Really? Just like that?!’

‘No way. Today, I have to have it out with them and reclaim my status in this family.’

‘First of all, my dear son, Leo Grant, has two brilliant masterminds working for him: Silas Lynch and Ian Lynch.’

‘Moreover, the Grants never employ idlers, so sending either one of them to hold down the fort at the company would be no problem at all!’

‘Secondly, I’ve been retired for years. I could let it slide when I had to fill in at the company for short periods whenever my dear son was away on business.’

‘But now my dear son is preparing for his *wedding*! The wedding is in March of next year! That’s almost nine months away!’

‘Rounding up, that’s a full year of work! And according to the saying “a day feels like three years,” that means I’ll have to work for a grand total of 1,095 days!’

‘A person’s life is just a short 30,000 days, and I’m supposed to waste over a thousand of them slaving away at a job!’

‘And there’s endless work every day! Not having to work overtime would be a miracle. I’d probably have to go to business dinners and schmooze after hours, too.’

‘Even if no one dares to force drinks on me, I’d still come home at night reeking of smoke and booze. What if I get kicked out to the guest room?!’

‘And finally, what’s all this about “profits go to the company, but losses come out of my personal account”?!’

‘That’s a blatant vote of no confidence in my abilities!’

‘Besides, I only have a little bit of pocket money saved up! If I have to use it to cover company losses, what will I use to buy my darling wife gifts and surprise her?!’

‘This is utter nonsense!?’

“Honey, listen to me…”

Mr. Grant quickly organized his arguments in his head, but he had barely gotten a few words out before Mrs. Grant shot a sharp glance his way.

Mr. Grant decisively snapped his mouth shut, sitting ramrod straight like a well-behaved schoolboy.

‘Oh, this is just great. My son preparing for his wedding? Great. Me going back to work? Also great. And my current status in this family? Just getting better and better.’

Everyone else acted as if this was completely normal. After all, they had been watching this same scene play out since childhood, and the parents and grandparents in all their families were exactly the same.

They were like originals and their photocopies—the resemblance was uncanny.

As for the concept of the husband “wearing the pants,” none of their families had any idea what that was. They only knew one rule: listening to your wife leads to prosperity.

Grandma Lowell glanced at the time and stood up.

“Since everything is settled, let’s eat. I had Joy make steamed fish head with diced chilis today, a favorite of a certain someone.”

Mr. Grant let out a theatrical wail and rushed forward, resting his head on Grandma Lowell’s shoulder and pretending to cry.

“Godmother, you’re the one who spoils me the most! I’ve decided to renounce the Grant Family and live with you from now on. Starting today, I’m moving into the old manor, and I’m never leaving!”

The Leogryph, which had been feigning sleep nearby, was jolted awake by the outburst. ‘Tsk, how is this old man like The Mountain Lord? So boisterous, with absolutely no regal bearing!’

Grandma Lowell chuckled and patted his hand.

“You can’t stay here. You still have to go to the office in Leo’s place. Otherwise, how can Leo and Nola prepare for their wedding in peace?”

Mr. Grant was speechless for a moment, then quickly found a way to save face.

“Fine. But I’m only going to the office for your sake. As if any of them could order me around otherwise.”

“Of course! If anyone other than me dares to boss my godson around, this old woman will make them regret it!”

Grandma Lowell led him toward the dining room. “Come on, let’s go eat.”

‘This overgrown child, with his carefree and dramatic personality, was the spitting image of her old best friend.’

‘Besides, he had always been a sweet-talker to those he cared about and was very close to her. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him her third son.’

Mr. Grant escorted Grandma Lowell out of the living room, not forgetting to throw a provocative glance back at the others.

His look said it all: ‘If you dare order me around again, my godmother will make you regret it!’

The others followed along, pretending they hadn’t seen a thing. All they saw was the old lady making an “OK” sign behind her back. They didn’t see anything else.

Yvonne Lowell and Leo Grant lagged behind the group. When Yvonne saw her brother, Harrison Lowell, up ahead, a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes.

She walked up to him quickly, her tone feigning surprise.

“Oh, Second Brother, that’s a really beautiful brooch.”

“It’s a brooch designed and handcrafted by Master Y herself. Of course it’s beautiful!”

Harrison Lowell blurted out without a second thought. Then, as if remembering something, he clutched the brooch on his chest protectively.

“Wait a second. Back up a few steps, don’t stand so close. Didn’t you give this brooch to me right after you got back?”

“I’m warning you, no take-backs on gifts. Even if you ask for it, I’m not giving it to you!”

“Unless you kill me! You can take the brooch from my corpse!”

Yvonne Lowell had just raised her hand to pat his shoulder when he took a giant leap backward, putting two meters of distance between them.

Fine.

Yvonne Lowell’s lips curved into a teasing smile. “Don’t be so nervous. I was just complimenting my own good taste and fine craftsmanship for being able to make such a beautiful brooch.”

With that, she walked into the dining room without a backward glance.

Harrison Lowell’s brain froze for a second. He subconsciously grabbed Leo Grant, who was standing beside him.

“What did she mean by that? Is this brooch a fake? Holy shit, I wear this thing all the time, except when I’m working! It’s over… my reputation is ruined…”

Leo Grant shot him a disdainful look and pried his “claws” off his arm.

“Could you try thinking something good about your sister for once?”

Then, without a second thought for Harrison’s plight, he hurried to catch up with Yvonne Lowell.

Harrison Lowell remained rooted to the spot, his mind racing.

‘Think something good…’

‘Not for sale…’

‘Only one in the world…’

‘A somewhat famous designer…’

‘A humblebrag version of “it’s no big deal”…’

‘Master Y is Yvonne Lowell. Yvonne Lowell is my sister. My sister is Master Y…’

In the dining room, just as everyone was taking their seats, a shriek like a stuck pig came from the entrance.

“HOLY SHIT!!!!!!”