Chapter 128: Small Gift

Seeing Mandy upset, Louis quickly said, “Sir always cared about you. When he was still here, he never allowed you to be this sad.” The real culprits were the Harrison family. Ever since the incident with Paul, Louis had made it his mission to find those responsible. He just hadn't expected that so many years would pass, and Wendy would grow up in the meantime.

“You’ve gotten old too,” Mandy said, standing in the quiet room. “Your kids said they want you to move in and retire with them. What do you think?”

Louis shook his head. “Back when I followed you and Sir to build this from the ground up, I said I’d dedicate my life to the Quinn family. I’m not dead yet, and there are still things I can do. Even if Ms. Quinn and her husband are steady with their work, there’s still something they lack.”

Mandy glanced at Louis and understood. Softness… No matter how ruthless Wendy could seem, she still wasn’t as hard-hearted as Mandy once was.

“They’re children raised in love. They don’t really understand what it means to be ruthless, or that ruthlessness often secures power. But maybe that’s a good thing—less of those kinds of acts means more blessings in the long run.”

After drying their hands, the two left the room. Mandy said, “I’m just waiting for the day they have a baby. While I’m still healthy, I can help take care of the child.”

At this, Wendy and Chase exchanged a glance. Chase spoke up, “Mandy, we’re not in a rush. Wendy and I are still young, and we’re both so busy with work that we don’t have time to think about having a baby.”

“Weren’t we busy back then too?” Mandy cast a glance at Wendy—she didn’t even need to ask to know it was her daughter who didn’t want children. When Quinn Group was just being founded, Mandy had already been pregnant with Wendy, but she still gave birth. Later, as Quinn Group found its footing, many outside corporations eyed them hungrily. Back then, the tactics used were downright dirty, but even so, Mandy still had Stella. Being busy with work had always just been an excuse not to have children.

“You can do whatever you want, but at the end of the day, you still need to have a child.”

“Got it.”

Surprisingly, Wendy didn’t argue, making for a rare peaceful evening. Everyone was in good spirits. After dinner, Wendy took Chase upstairs to pay respects to her father’s memorial.

“Dad, it used to be just me coming here. I chose to protect the one I love the same way Mom did… but…” She turned to look at Chase. “My love is brave. He stands by my side and faces everything with me.”

Chase knelt in front of Paul’s memorial. “Paul, I’ll protect Wendy, and I’ll find the one who tore this family apart. You can rest easy.”

Outside, the fireworks continued without pause. “Here, these are your little gifts,” Mandy and Louis said.

Chase was stunned. He couldn’t remember receiving cash as gifts since becoming an adult. Even after five years with Wendy and spending every Christmas here, Mandy had never offered him one before, and neither had Wendy.

“We didn’t give you one before because we didn’t know where you two stood. When people love each other, they should stay together and not end up full of regret like me. Now that you’ve reconciled, I feel at peace. This is just a token of appreciation.”

Wendy took hers without a second thought. Seeing Chase hesitate, she snatched one from her mother and stuffed it into his hands. “Mom gave it to you, so take it.”

“Chase, your mother passed away, but I treat you like my own son. Don’t feel pressured,” Mandy said.

Chase’s eyes turned red as he looked down at the money. His voice caught in his throat. “Thank you, Mandy.”

He kept the envelope safely in his pocket, checking on it every now and then. Wendy watched him sneaking glances with a silly smile on his face, and her heart ached a little.

How did Chase make it through those five years after losing his mother and not being loved? At least they still had time. They could still make up for those regrets and truly be together.

After the housekeeper and chef finished preparing dinner, they headed home to be with their own families, leaving just the four of them in the house. The coffee table was covered in snacks, sweets, and fruit.

Wendy picked out strawberries for herself and fed Chase a slice of apple. Then, she suddenly said to Mandy, “On the first day of Christmas, we’ll visit the Fred family. Waylon and Chase have been close for so many years—it’ll help keep things strong.”

“The Fred family’s under Lemon’s leadership now,” Mandy said, clearly familiar with the situation. “A lot of people in that family aren’t happy about a woman taking charge. But thankfully, Waylon supports his sister, so things are stable for now.”

Louis added, “Don’t let that fool you. Behind the scenes, a lot of people are just waiting to make a move. I know of at least three or four who are already trying to join forces with outsiders to take Lemon down. You two should advise her to be careful.”

Clearly, even without leaving the house, these two elders had full control over everything happening in Gennemont. That was how the older generation operated.