Chapter 88: Chapter 87: Grandmother
Just as she walked down the stairs, she saw a dignified old lady sitting on the sofa. She wore a simple gray-beige mid-length wool coat, and under her cream hat were strands of visible white hair. The lady was looking at her, her eyes full of kindness and the excitement of a long-awaited reunion.
She seemed about to stand up but still maintained her usual grace, waiting for Elliana Lyle to come over.
Elliana Lyle walked step by step toward this grandmother she hadn’t seen in many years. Her grandmother was just as she remembered: graceful and dignified, with an aura akin to a fairy. Her slightly fluffy short white curls tucked behind her ears, along with a well-applied makeup and a warm smile, gave a welcoming feel.
"Ellie dear, it’s been over ten years, and you’ve changed, grown into a big girl."
"Grandma." Elliana politely returned the smile, though in her heart she still felt her grandmother was rather indifferent, as she didn’t even come to see her own daughter after passing away.
Granny Hue nodded in relief, pulling Elliana to sit, patting the back of her hand with lowered eyes, seemingly glistening with tears.
She didn’t know the purpose of her grandmother’s visit, but seeing her tears made Elliana’s heart wrench.
Actually, she used to like this grandmother a lot. Although they only spent a short time together, the Hue family’s disregard for her mother now left her a bit resentful.
Taking out a handkerchief and wiping her eyes twice, Granny Hue looked at her granddaughter with affection, reaching out to touch Elliana’s thin, almost sharp-edged face, murmuring softly, "Child, you’ve suffered."
The words left Elliana unsure how to respond. Her grandmother was also her mother’s mother, someone she should respect. She knew her mother often looked at the Hue family’s family photo.
"Today, I went to the hospital for a check-up and saw your uncle all bruised. At first, they hid it from me. Later, when I pressed for answers, your aunt told me your uncle fought with your father, and that’s when I found out my daughter had passed away. The Lyle family, those idiots! They didn’t even notify us of my daughter’s death!"
Granny Hue’s face was heavy, yet emotional, grip tightening around her hand. She then realized her words might have been inappropriate since this little granddaughter also carried the Lyle surname.
"Child, come home with Grandma, no need to stay at someone else’s house."
Although Granny Hue knew this was Norman Bennett’s residence, Elliana’s fiancé, in her eyes, an unmarried woman living at the man’s place was indeed improper.
But Elliana was still processing her grandmother’s words, meaning the Lyle family hadn’t informed the Hue family at all...
Thinking of her father’s and grandmother’s heartless demeanor, she felt a chill in her heart.
"Grandma..." She couldn’t help but lean into Granny Hue’s embrace, feeling sorrowful, angry at her father and grandmother’s cruelty, and mournful for her deceased mother.
"Good child, good child, come home to stay with Grandma, come home to stay with Grandma." Granny Hue gently patted her back, comforting her, herself unable to hold back a few drops of tears from her blurry eyes.
These words were just overheard by Norman Bennett, who had just returned.
He didn’t seem surprised; this was expected. With the New Year approaching, if the little girl didn’t go back to the Lyle family, she’d have to come with him back to the Bennett family. But currently, tensions were high with his father, and taking the little girl back to the Bennett family might cause grievance. Naturally, he couldn’t leave the little girl alone.
So, the Hue family was certainly a nice option.
"Grandma." Norman Bennett called Granny Hue grandma, following Elliana’s lead.
Hearing the voice, Elliana left Granny Hue’s embrace.
"You’re back, just in time. I’m taking my granddaughter home. You, without any betrothal gifts, without a formal wedding sedan, living together is not appropriate."
Granny Hue spoke seriously, clearly earnest.
"Grandma... he—"
Elliana wanted to say something for Norman Bennett upon hearing her grandmother’s tone, but Granny Hue lightly tapped her hand, signaling her not to speak.
She knew her mother had also told her that her grandmother was a very strong woman, controlling the entire Hue family, even her grandfather listened to her.
"Grandma is right. I will properly arrange the betrothal gifts and a formal wedding ceremony to welcome Elliana into the Bennett family." Norman agreed, following Granny Hue’s words.
He also had heard of Granny Hue’s character. Besides being strong, she was also a person of reason.
Seeing that Granny Hue’s expression softened somewhat upon hearing this, she was quite satisfied with this grandson-in-law. Although he was just repeating her words nicely, from Norman Bennett’s mouth, it felt completely genuine.
Perhaps because Norman Bennett was always a reserved person, with a distinguished cool demeanor, such a man seemed incapable of uttering false words.
"Hmm, sweet talk. I wonder what the Bennett family’s actions will be like." Granny Hue still had a few words for Norman Bennett, but her face visibly softened.
Elliana looked up at Norman Bennett, only to see a subtle tenderness in his expression towards her, something she hadn’t noticed before... she had never seen him so "obedient" before.
In the end, Granny Hue took Elliana away from the villa, and Norman Bennett naturally didn’t say much.
These days, he could see that the little girl had never truly been happy; it seemed all her smiles were forced upon him.
It had been a long time since he saw that little girl with a bright, sunny smile.
...
———Hue Family Old Residence.
Situated south of North City on Clearbright Mountain, though distant, the air here was clean, free from the noise and pollution of the city, a great place for retirement.
Unlike the sprawling Lyle family old residence, the Hue family had a single large Chinese-style courtyard, five to six times larger than an average villa, with long corridors, ponds, and guardian beasts on the eaves.
Resembling ancient aristocratic mansions.
In front of the vermillion gate stood four security guards, surveillance hung on the gate, and Elliana, holding a cat in one hand and supporting Granny Hue with the other, stepped over the threshold. Looking at the antiquated courtyard, she inexplicably felt at ease.
"Meow~"
"Mom, why are you so late today? I was worried sick!"
At the end of the corridor, at the moon gate, a woman in a sleek fur coat approached them anxiously.
This woman, nearly fifty but looking no more than thirty, was no stranger to Elliana—her Aunt Daisy Hue.
Having seen her in the family photo her mother cherished, the large mole beside her nose was proof enough.
Daisy Hue briskly walked up to Granny Hue, calling out "Mom" before noticing the cat-holding girl supporting her mother.
She first frowned subconsciously; this attire certainly didn’t look like that of a servant girl. Could this be the daughter of some family that her mother brought back?
With this thought, Daisy Hue immediately felt dissatisfied, her lips unconsciously pulling to her ear. Her son was tall and handsome, how could he marry such a short girl?
It wasn’t entirely her fault to think this way first, as her mother had discussed her son’s marriage with her earlier that morning.
"Mom, I have good news. Peng Hui and I found a match for Little Yu; it’s Mr. Reeves’ granddaughter from the Reeves Manor."
Daisy Hue pretended not to notice Elliana, stating her piece first, then looked at Elliana twice, feigning surprise, "Eh? Mom, who is this?"
Granny Hue had been unable to get a word in because Daisy kept talking non-stop, so she was a bit displeased, and glared at Daisy, "Chattering on like a firecracker all day!"
Being reprimanded by Granny Hue like this, Daisy Hue became more convinced that this little girl was the bride her mother wanted for her son.
Then Granny Hue looked kindly at Elliana, speaking slowly, "Ellie dear, this is your Aunt." Then she addressed Daisy, "This is Minglan’s daughter. I brought her back for the New Year, she’s been all alone outside."
"Minglan’s daughter?" Daisy Hue’s face changed slightly, not expecting this little girl to be Elliana.
After all these years without contact, how come she’s brought back now?