Chapter 66 His Only Hope

Chapter 66 His Only Hope

…

At Grandpa Luke's Quarters. 

Clyde sat across from the old man inside the garden, watching him sip his morning tea leisurely.

After having breakfast together, he'd looked forward to hearing why he'd summoned him immediately,

But Grandpa Luke hadn't said anything yet so far, heightening his curiosity. 

Clyde had no other choice but to break the uncomfortable silence. “Grandpa-”

“Why're you in a hurry?” Grandpa Luke dropped his teacup on its plate, mumbling. “I wanted to have a nice time in the company of my grandson, but it seems you can't wait to leave.”

Clyde wasn't really in a hurry.

Today was the weekend and he didn't have to go to the company.

Grandpa Luke's summon made him anxious though.

It had been very long since he'd last sat with his grandfather like this.

Ever since Violet left, their relationship had become so sour that the old man couldn’t stand his sight sometimes.

“Grandpa, it's not like that,” Clyde answered. “I can accompany you for the whole day.”

“No, I'm old and our conversation will be boring.” Grandpa Luke laughed. “I just wanted to let you know I've forgiven you.”

A huge load lifted off Clyde's shoulders.

He closed his eyes, sighing in relief.

Finally!

Despite looking forward to this, he'd never thought his Grandfather would bring up this topic early.

“Back then, I've always wanted you to settle down…” Grandpa Luke went on. “I knew what I was doing when I chose that girl for you. She was so kind and smart.”

Clyde had to agree. 

Violet was among the smartest women he'd ever met,

However,

He fumbled. His carelessness had led to the chaos he'd gone through during her absence.

Whoever told him that the five years of torture and anger would come to an end, Clyde would have laughed in their faces. 

“When your parents thought my days were over and gave up on me, that girl gave me hope and an opportunity to meet my great-grandchildren,” Grandpa Luke added. 

And then, the old man sighed heavily. “However, I have a feeling that you brought the wrong woman home, Grandson. Are you sure she's your wife?”

If only Clyde could get answers to the same question.

Violet had changed a lot!

Sometimes he would find himself asking the same questions. 

But well, she was the same person. The same woman that had run from him five years ago. 

“What are you saying, Grandpa? She's still your favorite granddaughter-in-law.”

Clyde's response made the old man smile, his eyes gleaming with joy.

“Indeed, she is.” Grandpa Luke nodded slowly. “I can guess why she has changed. Maybe it has to do with something you did to make her ask for divorce.”

Suddenly, the environment was hot.

Clyde tugged at his necktie and fanned himself with one hand.

He shifted uncomfortably in his chair before grabbing his untouched tea and sipping it carefully.

“You're acting suspicious.” Grandpa Luke narrowed his eyes, giving him a scrutinizing look. “Up till now, you never told us why Violet asked for a divorce. I'm afraid it's something scandalous-”

Clyde choked on his tea.

He reached for a hankie and covered his mouth with it, his coughs interrupting Grandpa Luke’s statement. 

Grandpa waited until he was done, his expression turning grim. “Clyde Crawford, why do you always like to avoid this topic?”

A topic that even he didn't want to remember.

How could Clyde be comfortable with speaking about it with someone else? 

“Nothing happened, Grandpa,” he looked down and murmured. “I also wish I knew why she left.”

“Although I still think you're hiding the real truth, let's forget about it.” Grandpa Luke sighed. “I'll be stepping down from the Chairman position next month. You're the first person I'm telling this to, Grandson.” 

Grandpa Luke gave him a knowing look. “So work hard.”

Clyde nodded. 

“And also take great care of your family…” The old man added. “If my granddaughter-in-law leaves again, I'll disown you for real.”

Clyde wouldn't let that happen.

He never planned to let Violet go.

He only proposed the one-month agreement to bid himself more time.

Eventually, he'd be able to convince her to stay forever. 

“Tsk! What a nice morning to be alive!” A loud voice interrupted the peaceful atmosphere.

Seeing the intruder, Clyde frowned while Grandpa Luke's expression turned bitter. “For a man in his mid-thirties. I wonder when you'll finally learn manners.”

“Haha, Dad, your humor hasn't died a bit.” Herman drew out a chair and sat down. “I missed my own father and decided to come. What's with that expression?”

Grandpa Luke scoffed. “Last week, the company lost three female employees because of your unscrupulous attitude. If I hadn't paid them a huge sum of money, everyone in IvoryHills would know that my own son is a pervert, making my family lose face.”

“Ouch! That's too harsh.” Herman held his chest, faking a pained look. “It's not a crime to admire women-”

“Except if those women are not willing!” Grandpa Luke hollered. “Just find a girl and settle down! Aren't you ashamed that your nephew now has his own family?”

Herman shrugged. “I'm only a bit older than him. Why should I be-”

“You!!!” Grandpa Luke pointed his cane forward, trembling with rage. “Fine! If you can't find a wife, I'll find you a good girl.”

“I hope that good girl is kind enough to endure a silent death.” Herman rose to his feet. “A single woman can't satisfy me, Dad. Marriage is not an obligation.”

“You- You!!!” Grandpa Luke coughed rapidly, holding his chest.

But Herman was already gone after disrupting the peaceful morning.

Clyde helped the old man sit on his chair and poured him a glass of water,

However, Grandpa Luke pushed it away, his mood completely ruined. “I shouldn't have married another woman after your grandmother's death! I regret giving birth to that boy!”

Right!

His uncle was a pain in the ass. 

Funny how he loved angering the old man. 

“Grandson, you're my only hope.” Grandpa Luke calmed down a bit. “Don't disappoint me this time, okay?”

Clyde was about to reply, but the sound of tiny footsteps interrupted. 

His attention turned to the garden’s entrance and he sprang up instinctively as Mimi rushed his way. 

“Slow down, Baby…” Clyde caught her before she fell. 

Why was she running so fast? 

It could impact her health. 

“D- Daddy, you've got to see this.” Mimi panted heavily, gasping for breath. “Grandma and Mummy are fighting. I- I think Grandpa's hurt!”