Chapter 225: Speak Up
Chapter 225: Speak Up
Keira was a bit surprised.
She hadn’t expected the Alzheimer’s medication to work this fast!
It had only been two days!
However, she also understood that the medication was designed to stimulate nerve regeneration and regulate bodily functions.
Old Mrs. Horton would gradually regain her memory. The reason she remembered why she got married so quickly was simply because she had just managed to recall that period of time.
She asked, “How did we get our marriage certificate?”
Old Mrs. Horton was about to speak when Selena’s excited voice came in from outside. “Great-grandma is awake!”
Old Mrs. Horton paused mid-sentence, looked outside, and asked, “Who’s out there?”
Keira explained, “It seems that relatives from the second branch of the family have come to see you.”
Old Mrs. Horton immediately said, “Oh, it’s my second brother and his family!”
She patted Keira’s hand. “The matter of your marriage is a long story; let’s talk about it after they leave.”
“Okay.”
No sooner had they spoken than the patriarch of the second branch and Nathan walked in.
“Sister-in-law!”
The patriarch of the second branch called out.
Old Mrs. Horton responded with a smile. “Why have you put yourself through the trouble of coming here? I’m perfectly fine now!”
The patriarch of the second branch also looked at her.
Old Mrs. Horton was a sister-in-law whom even Mr. Horton respected, and he had deep feelings for her.
When his elder brother passed away unexpectedly, he was only fifteen.
Their parents had died young, and he thought his sister-in-law would take her young children and remarry, leaving him to drop out of school and work to support himself.
Instead, without a word of complaint, she took on the entire household and told him, “You focus on your studies; I’ll figure out a way to cover your tuition fees.”
Afterward, she carried Nathan on her back and opened a roadside stall.
They faced many hardships.
At that time, the world was very tumultuous. Once, he saw some little punks come to collect protection money, and without hesitation, she grabbed a kitchen knife and brandished it at them, yelling, “No money, but if you want a life, I’ve got one to spare!”
Those little punks left a message that they would come back.
Late one night, those people jumped into their yard and threw stones at the windows. A knife was always under her pillow.
He was young and timid and once suggested to her, “Just give them the money!”
But she said, “No way. That money is for your education. If we give it to them, how will you pay your tuition?”
That was only the smallest of their troubles.
Later, she opened a store, and the business grew larger and larger. After he graduated, he joined the company, and together they witnessed the establishment of Horton Group.
Once, a subordinate suggested to him that a woman couldn’t possibly be a chairperson and urged him to fight for power and profit. He dismissed that subordinate on the spot!
Other women might not be able to do it, but his sister-in-law most certainly could!
Unfortunately, she and Nathan had a falling out later on, and her presence affected Nathan’s authority within the company.
She decisively stepped down, handing over complete control of the company to Nathan.
Mr. Horton, without a second thought, supported Nathan. Eventually, to ensure Nathan had sole control, he resigned and returned to his hometown.
When she found out, she immediately had a mansion with high walls built for him there.
Recalling the past made Mr. Horton’s eyes red, and his hands trembled as he took hold of old Mrs. Horton’s hand, “Sister-in-law, you must take care of yourself. I still want to be able to call you Sister-in-law when I’m ninety!”
Old Mrs. Horton’s eyes were also filled with tears.
She was good to her brother-in-law, and he had nothing but good to say about her.
Her brother-in-law was one of the few college students of that era, and if he had stayed in Clance and entered into a government institution, he would surely have reached an untouchable height by now.
But he decisively gave up the steady job that everyone dreamed of at that time, and came back to help her hold up the company.
It was only right for her to give him shares!
Later, when she handed Lewis over to her brother, he indeed lived up to expectations and didn’t let Lewis get hurt again.
Old Mrs. Horton laughed and said, “That won’t do, in another ten years, I’ll be 96. Wouldn’t that turn me into an old monster?”
Mr. Horton said, “Living to a ripe old age, you can still have a long life, and you still need to bear a son for Lewis!”
Old Mrs. Horton laughed.
After the two exchanged a few words, Mr. Horton said, “They just know how to scare me, saying that you’re almost not making it, so I have come and see. But look at you, you are doing well!”
Upon hearing this, Nathan said, “Uncle, speaking of this, it’s all thanks to Selena’s efforts.”
He gestured for Selena to stand closer, then recounted the whole incident. He concluded with emotion. “This child is about to marry into the Cobb family. Normally, she would have kept a distance, but she went to such lengths to ask the Cobb family for help; she won’t be able to hold her head high there in the future.”
Selena immediately said, “Grandpa, don’t say that, she’s my great-grandma, and doing these things for her is only right.”
Mr. Horton immediately praised Selena. “Good girl, I’m so glad! Rest assured, when you get married, I’ll make sure your dowry is substantial, and I won’t let you lose face in the Cobb family! Our Horton family may not compare to the Cobb family, but we’re not far behind!”
Selena acted bashfully.
Upon hearing these words, Oliver immediately said, “Uncle, since you are here, there’s something I would like to ask as a favor for Selena.”
Mr. Horton said at once, “What is it?”
Oliver said, “You know, Selena is my illegitimate daughter, and she has been showing us respect all these years. I would like you to add her name to the family registry!”
For such a large family, being recorded in the family registry meant acquiring the right to inheritance!
Mr. Horton hesitated for a moment, then promptly nodded. “Considering in mind the affection this child has shown for her great-grandma, this is the right thing to do! When I get back, I’ll include her name!”
Then, he looked at Selena. “As a child of the Horton family, you must remember to never break the law or step out of line, and be a good person, understood?”
Selena smiled, “Of course, don’t worry.”
Oliver then nudged Nathan in the back.
Nathan got the hint and said, “Once included in the family registry, she’s a legitimate granddaughter of the Horton family, and she’s marrying into the Cobb Family in Clance. Uncle, I think it’s appropriate to give her some shares as her dowry.”
Mr. Horton nodded. “That’s only proper.”
Nathan immediately rejoiced but before he could speak, he heard Mr. Horton ask, “How much are you planning to give her?”
Nathan was perplexed.
His mouth twitched as he coughed and clarified, “It’s not me…”
Mr. Horton then curiously looked at Oliver, “Then…”
Oliver gave an awkward smile, “I only have ten percent of the shares under my name, and although I want to give them to my daughter, I do have a son, after all…”
Mr. Horton was at a loss. “So you want me to give the shares?”
As soon as he said this, the juniors from the second branch who had come with Mr. Horton immediately looked discontentedly at Nathan and Oliver.
The first and second branches of the family had separated long ago.
Moreover, Mr. Horton only owned fifteen percent of the Horton Group’s shares —how could he give more to the Horton family? That was impossible!
Nathan himself was still counting on the support of his cousins in the family, so he immediately waved his hands. “How could that be! Your shares will go to the second branch of the family in the future.”
Finally, Mr. Horton understood and turned his gaze to old Mrs. Horton.
Nathan said, “Mom had promised before that when the younger members of the family get married, they’ll receive shares… When Jake got married, his wife wasn’t good to Mom, so she didn’t give any. Now that Selena is marrying into the Cobb family, it’s a big even. Mom, how much do you plan to give Selena?”
The way he put it was so reasonable, and no one could refute it!