Chapter 218
Gwenna, seeing him becoming increasingly outraged, looked at Hoy sternly and reminded him, “Don’t forget, she saved both your life and your daughter’s. Have you forgotten, Trendy?”
“If word gets out, people might say the Howerton family is ungrateful,” Hoy’s face turned pale from Gwenna’s remarks. “If she wants something else, we can give it, just not Samuel’s marriage.”
“This isn’t a simple matter; it can’t be treated carelessly.”
Sarah placed the fruit platter on the table and then looked at Hoy, saying, “Dad, did you forget that she has the Guzman family backing her?” This was something anyone would have known if they had just done a little digging. Sarah didn’t believe he hadn’t found out.
Gwenna’s expression wasn’t great either. “Do you think Samuel is a prince? Dr. Lovett has the Guzman family’s support—she’s got both the background and the abilities. Just think about it, which girl in all of Draxenport is better than her?” She thought, Other than relying on their families, those wealthy girls can’t do anything. Marrying one would just turn her into a decoration at home, and even if she’s ambitious, she probably wouldn’t care about Samuel.
Sarah’s mouth twitched as she instinctively glanced towards the dining room, where Rachana and Samuel were sitting, seemingly playing some kind of game. The cold-as-ice Samuel might be adored by everyone outside, but right now, Gwenna wasn’t having any of it.
Hoy still wouldn’t relent, insisting, “That’s still better than Isabella!” He thought, “The Stout family doesn’t really have much status, not even in a place like Draxenport.” “Besides, with someone like Hudson, can you really expect his daughter to have better character?” ‘She might be able to keep up the act for now, but just give it some time and she’ll definitely reveal herself.’ ‘If I’m not being careful now, who’s going to take responsibility if things go wrong later?’
Suddenly, Samuel stood up, picked up Rachana, and carried her out of the dining room to place her into Sarah’s arms in the living room. With serious eyes, he looked at Hoy and declared, “Don’t mention status. Even if she had none, she’s the only one I’d marry.”
Now that Isabella was Samuel’s wife, there was nothing anyone could do to change that. Hoy was so angry he almost couldn’t catch his breath, pointing a trembling finger at Samuel, “You brat!” He thought, ‘Is he really set on driving me to the grave?’
Samuel remained unflinching, arrogantly stating, “I don’t need any woman to boost my status. I can keep the Howerton family thriving in Draxenport on my own.” If he said he’d do it, he absolutely did. That was Samuel’s strength. He thought, ‘If even marriage is used as a trade for family honor, then that’s just pathetic.’
Sarah and Gwen looked at Samuel; they never even considered how sheer this was. Over the years, the Howerton Group under his leadership had thrived. They thought, Using women to secure wealth and status simply renders...
Without waiting for Hoy to speak, Samuel declared firmly, “I’m already married, and I don’t intend to get divorced in the future.” He turned to Gwenna, softened his voice, and said, “Mom, I’ve got some things to do. I’ll come back to see you another day.” Then he turned and walked straight out.
Hoy, furious, shouted, “Samuel, get back here!” However, his legs weren’t capable of holding Samuel back; he could only watch helplessly as he left.
Gwenna looked at Hoy and said, “You with your old-fashioned thinking. I just got him back, and you end up pushing him away. If you want him to return, call him yourself. Don’t ask me.” She stood up and walked to the kitchen.
Hoy sat on the couch, in a no-win situation. He pointed shakily towards the kitchen and said to Sarah, “Look at this chaos in our house, all because of Isabella.”
Sarah was speechless. She picked up the fruit platter on the table, moved a bit closer to Hoy, and handed it to Rachana. She said, “Rachana, why don’t you give your grandpa some fruit to calm him down? We can’t keep bothering Ms. Stout every time he gets upset.” Her words made Hoy even angrier.
Rachana didn’t understand what the adults were thinking; she just did whatever her mom asked. She nodded at Sarah and said, “Okay, Mommy.” Getting down from Sarah’s arms, Rachana trotted over to Hoy with the fruit platter, “Grandpa, here comes some sweet fruit!”
Hoy found it hard to stay mad now. With the little girl feeding him bit by bit, how could he find the time to stay angry? Sarah couldn’t help but rub her forehead and chuckle, “See? Wouldn’t it be fun to have a big, chubby grandchild? You’re so stuck on those old-fashioned ideas!”
With Hoy’s mouth full of cherries given by Rachana, she went on, “I used to judge Isabella, assuming she was just after our family’s money. But once you get to know her, you see that wealth doesn’t matter to her at all. She makes quite a bit of money treating people.” Though Sarah had never asked about it, it was obvious that it was a good amount.
Sarah took a cherry and tasted it. “Do you know where I went with Isabella and Whitney last time?” Hoy finally finished the cherries he was eating and teased as he took the tissue the little girl handed him, “Where?” He was finally starting to feel a bit calmer. Looks like the little girl’s cheering-up trick really worked.
Sarah said, one word at a time, “The Zichri family.” Those words instantly silenced Hoy. They were a family with a legendary reputation! Their foundation was much stronger than that of the Howerton family, backed by completely different support. Even though the Howerton family was large and ruled over Draxenport like kings, they were still just merchants. The two really couldn’t be compared.
Sarah, not thinking this was enough, added more fuel to the fire, “Yasser once tried to set up his grandson with Ms. Stout. But once he found out Ms. Stout was with Samuel, he dropped the idea.” Seeing the situation was just right, Sarah said nothing more. Instead, she stood up, gave Hoy a light smile, and said, “Dad, play with little Rachana. I’ll go check on things in the kitchen.” Some things, he just had to come to terms with on his own. Otherwise, no advice from others would help.
After Sarah left the living room, Rachana looked at Hoy with her bright little eyes and asked, “Grandpa, why don’t you like Auntie? I think she’s really nice, and she’s going to give me a little brother.” Mentioning this made the little girl’s eyes sparkle. In this generation, she’s the only child and has no other kids to play with. Having a little brother to play with every day would be so nice.
Hoy calmed down and gently said to Rachana, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” The little girl didn’t quite understand, so she just replied softly, “Oh, okay then.” She picked up a cherry again and held it out to Hoy, “Grandpa, have some fruit.” All she knew was that eating together and being happy together was what mattered.
Hoy couldn’t bring himself to refuse the little girl; he opened his mouth, letting her feed him. Yet, he found himself lost in thought. ‘Is Isabella really that good?’ As for her family background, just considering the Stout family wasn’t enough. The Guzman family is important, and she’s got amazing medical skills, which are all great. What’s more, even the Zichri family…. For the first time, Hoy felt a sense of doubt.
Sarah walked into the kitchen holding her aching head, and Gwenna glanced at her sideways, seeming to say with resignation, “Convincing him hasn’t worked, right? Changing his mind is tough.” She’s talked to him about this countless times in private, and if it were going to work, it would’ve already. If this keeps up, forget about marrying off his son; he’s going to lose him altogether.
Sarah leaned against the table, took a sip from the glass of water there, and then looked at Gwenna, “This can only be handled slowly. By the way, are Ben and Irena coming back soon?”