Chapter 54
"Hansen, I'm really relieved that you two can move forward together." Grandma Richards continued to say happily, but the light in her eyes was exposed little by little, "Hansen, I have read some rumors about you two not being on good terms in the newspaper. I called you here today to tell you that although it's normal that as a public figure, you'll have more rumors than the other people, it's not good to have too many rumors. It threatens the stability of your family and the reputation of the Richards family. I think you should know better than grandma."
Grandma Richards's gaze slowly turned to Hansen. "I know that you've been blaming me for so many years. But child, three years have passed. Are you sensible now? Do you understand my intentions?" Hansen was getting more and more confused, and even his expression was a little stiff.
Three years ago, when Jenna went to the United States, his grandma knew about it, but she didn't oppose it openly. She didn't even ask him about it and didn't force him to bring her back. She just asked the people at home to send gifts to Javon's family during the holidays, which placated Javon and the others, and preventing them from putting the blame on her.
He thought that his grandma would have already realized her wrong decision and would not force them anymore. However, what she said today was not the case at all!
Grandma had been staying in the house all day long. Although it looked like she didn't care about whatever was happening outside, she knew some things better than anyone else.
He didn't understand why she didn't stop Jenna from going to the United States at that time, and for so many years. If she really wanted them to be happy, it was not wise for them to be apart for such a long time. She could have commanded him to bring Jenna back, but she didn't.
Now, he could not understand Grandma Richards' words at all.
"My child, it's been three years. Have you grown up?" Grandma Richards held his hand. She knew that her grandson was shrewd in his career, but he was childish in love. She did not ask too much from him, but by forcing him to marry Jenna, she had done her duty.
Many years ago, when she first saw Jenna who was still a little girl, she believed that Jenna was the most suitable one for her grandson, Hansen. She thought this was a beautiful thing, but she did not expect everything to be derailed from the plan. Everything was beyond her imagination. For so many years, this was the pain she had hidden in her heart! Whenever she thought of this, she would feel sad.
After all, a couple had to stay with each other for the rest of their lives. How would they be able to cherish their relationship without going through all kinds of hardships? They had to rely on themselves to walk the path of life ahead. No one could help them.
But at this moment, everything was still unclear. Her grandson was still muddled.
"Grandma, I don't understand what you mean." Hansen started panicking. Did he grow up? Was grandma saying that he was not being mature and sensible enough? If not, what else did she mean? "Hansen, I have heard a lot of bad rumors about you and Jenna. You are a man. I will ask you today, and I hope you can tell me the truth," Grandma Richards' eyes were bright, and she asked word by word.
Hansen became flustered.
"Grandma, I..." He stammered. It seemed that grandma must have gotten the news of his divorce with Jenna. Otherwise, she would not have asked so.
"I guess I won't be able to see my granddaughter-in-law in the future." Sure enough, Grandma Richards's face was full of disappointment. She muttered to herself, "It seems that everything is true. Jenna, you have already given up on my grandson. Are you going to choose someone else? You promised me in front of your father!"
Heartache was showing on Grandma Richards's face, and her murky eyes were sparkling.
Hansen was frightened when he heard this. Originally, he wanted to hide it from her, but now the media was too involved. He even thought of the possibility that some malicious people could have deliberately disclosed the news to her.
Norton Richards's face surfaced before his eyes. This cousin, who had always been hostile to him, was always jealous of him. He would not have passed on such an opportunity to bring Hansen down. Thinking of this, Hansen was furious. Norton had circled around Jenna like a fly. If he hadn't taken away Jenna's virginity, he wouldn't have disliked Jenna so much.
The hatred in his heart was stirred up one after another!
"Grandma, actually, I have divorced Jenna." Hansen could not suppress the anger in his heart. His mind was burning, and he did not want to hide it deliberately. He admitted in a low voice, "Grandma, please understand my difficulties. I really can't stand it anymore. Have you ever thought about my feelings? I am a man, and that woman really doesn't deserve to be my wife. She is always flirting with other men. You know what is written in the newspaper. She is now flirting with Rayan Whalen, the biggest competitor of our family. Our Richards Family should never accept such a woman, but you asked me to marry her. Grandma, it's unfair to me. I've been tormented for years."
With an animated expression, Hansen took his grandma's hand. While he was criticizing Jenna, the uneasiness in his heart was infinitely increased. He didn't know why he lost control of his emotions again. It seemed that as long as he mentioned Jenna, his emotions would be out of control. His calm heart would be disturbed, and even his behavior would become inexplicable.
Perhaps he didn't think so in his heart, but he was not willing to admit it, and he didn't want to admit defeat now. Otherwise, he would be looked down upon by his grandmother. His years of persistence would be in vain.
"Hansen, you really haven't grown up yet." Grandma Richards shook her head and sighed, "Rayan knows what a treasure she is and knows how to appreciate her. Three years have passed, and yet you are still the same. You even became more confused."
"No, Grandma, although I divorced her, I won't allow her to leave my company. I understand what you mean." Hansen was busy expressing his stand, "And she has promised to visit you on your birthday." Looking at Hansen trying to explain himself, Grandma Richards smiled bitterly in her heart.
"Hansen, you don't understand me at all. I'm already old, what's the point of seeing someone else's wife? What I want to see is my granddaughter-in-law. Let me tell you, Hansen, I will only recognize Jenna as my granddaughter-in-law. Even if you marry someone else, I won't acknowledge her." Grandma Richards sighed in her heart and said seriously, "Of course, you don't have to consider my feelings to marry a woman you like. However, except for Jenna, I will not allow another woman to stay in Richards Manor. Your grandpa passed the manor to me, and this is an immutable fact. I will definitely have a say in this."
Grandma Richards did not like being disobeyed. Especially regarding Hansen's marriage, she was extremely stubborn. She meant what she said. Hansen firmly believed it. He could not help but feel a headache. "Grandma, it has already happened. We are divorced. Please put yourself in my shoes. Think of the life I have been through these years. Grandma, I used to listen to you. I hope you can consider my feelings this time." Hansen felt uncomfortable. He was in a mess and could not figure it out. He just pleaded bleakly.
"That's because you brought it upon yourself!" Grandma Richards's eyes gleamed brightly, but her words were sharp.
"Hansen, I'm worried that you won't be able to get her heart for the rest of your life!" She looked at his blank expression and her heart was in pain. She was so worried that he would refuse her choice, but he would never understand her painstaking efforts and could not see her intentions.
Four years ago, the marriage caused Hansen to gradually drift away from Grandma Richards. He no longer came to see her often, and her outstanding grandson became more and more indifferent to her. This made her very sad, but she insisted on it. After all, it was for his own good!
She thought that one day he would understand her painstaking efforts. At least he would understand after this press conference, but she did not get the news that she had been waiting for. Instead, what came was the earth-shattering truth.
Instead of paying attention to Jenna, he went further away. Was her arrangement wrong? For such a long time in her life, she felt the bleakness and helplessness of reality for the first time.
"Hansen, I don't have much time left. I don't expect anything else. You're an adult; you can choose your own path. I really can't do anything about it. How about this?" Grandma Richards shook her hands and calmed her mind. Then she became serious and said, "From now on, you can choose your own marriage. I won't interfere with it anymore. But I'll tell you that I have chosen Jenna and I'm satisfied with her. I can't do anything if you don't like her. However, only her name will be recorded in the family tree. This will never change. She's the granddaughter-in-law that I recognize. If you marry someone else, she can't stay in Richards Manor. In this family, no matter who gets married, they will need to seek my agreement. Richards Manor belongs to the Richards family ancestors, and in here, my words are final. I won't care about anything outside the manor."
Hansen was stunned. He understood the meaning of these words.
If that was the case, even if the woman he married was his legal wife, she would not be recognized in the family. Jenna would be the only wife that was recognized in the family history.
That was to say, apart from his children with Jenna, no one could possess the inheritance of the Richards Manor. Although Hansen had created countless wealth for himself and Richards Manor was just a property, it was still an important possession of the Richards family. How could he pretend that it did not exist!
In his palm was Grandma Richards' slightly cold hand, but his heart was colder. His heart was already in a mess.
"Grandma, I..." His nose was stuffy and his voice was muffled. He said slowly, "Grandma, I've grown up. I shouldn't have made you worry. I'll handle my own affairs. If I offend you because of this, please forgive
me."
He lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong, but his heart was filled with complicated emotions.
"Hansen, you can leave now. No matter what decision you make, I won't interfere with it. Don't worry. Except for Richards Manor, I will still give you your share of inheritance, but I just can't pass Richards Manor to you. This is the ancestral property of the Richards family, and it's also my only request. I think you would understand it. I hope you won't be in a difficult position if I do this. Go on, my child. Do what you want to do."
Hansen stood up blankly, feeling depressed.