Chapter 160: Chapter 158: You’re My Woman, so of Course I’ll Dote on You (9)
Marlon Marshall had just stood up when Mrs. Marshall asked again, "That villa from the dowry, whose name is it under?"
"Jean’s name."
"Son, you’re married now, so half of that villa is yours. You need to find a way to get your name added to the deed. Tell Jean I’m hiring a moving company tomorrow to bring our things over. We’ll all live there together."
Marlon Marshall didn’t object. "Okay."
Jean Grant felt a chill in her heart as she returned to the villa.
She found that the housekeeper from the Grant Residence was also there. Jean went over to greet her. "Did my mom ask you to be here?"
"Yes, Miss. The madam was worried about you, so she sent me. Are you hungry? Would you like me to make you something to eat?"
She nodded. "I’m starving. I haven’t eaten anything since I had my hair done."
The housekeeper said with a warm smile, "Alright then, I’ll go make you something."
Jean Grant paused by the dining table, then headed upstairs. The bedroom was decorated warmly, and next to it was a nursery.
Her bedroom was fully furnished. On the bed, the bright red covers were embroidered with mandarin ducks and red roses.
She sat on the edge of the bed and took out a bank card and two red envelopes.
The PIN was written on the back of the bank card. She memorized it, put the card away safely, and tore open the red envelopes.
Herman Hawthorne’s envelope contained a bank card with 500,000, while Ethan Ellsworth’s had no money—only a handwritten letter.
Staring at the letter, Jean Grant was surprised; she never expected such a gift from him.
The letter wasn’t long, just three paragraphs.
The first paragraph read: *Jean Grant, this is a love letter. It’s the first one I’ve ever written you, and it will be the last. Congratulations on becoming a wife today. Perhaps soon, you’ll become a mother. The little princess of my heart is now in another man’s arms for life, and my heart aches in a way I can’t describe.*
The second paragraph: *I used to think I lost you because my youthful arrogance made me believe I was acting in your best interest. But now, I realize it was my fault. I never should have rejected you. If I hadn’t, perhaps we would have been in love for over a decade. You may not want to hear this, but I have to tell you: that summer, when you confessed your feelings to me, my heart was filled with joy. I was so excited I couldn’t sleep the entire night, but I never showed any of that hope.*
The third paragraph: *It was only because we were too young back then. You were only about ten years old, still in elementary school. I was afraid it was just a fleeting crush, a symptom of your budding adolescence. I was afraid that as you grew up, you would come to resent me. So, I just hoped you would grow a little older, until you reached an age where I could hold you in my arms, and then we would marry. Jean, you’re really grown up now. After loving you for so many years, it’s time for me to exit your life completely. Just as you said, I’ll stay out of your sight as much as possible. My little princess, you must be happy.*
As she finished, tears dripped onto the paper. Tears streamed down Jean Grant’s face.
She sat there, her choked sobs growing louder and louder until they turned into wails.
Because of her pride and stubborn nature, she had sworn an oath after Ethan Ellsworth rejected her. She had vowed that even if he got on his knees and begged her to love him, she would never agree. She made that vow on the night of the rejection, sitting on her windowsill and weeping, a silent monologue spoken only to her own heart.
But after reading this letter today, she suddenly felt the facade she had maintained for over a decade instantly crumble. ’But... is it too late?’
Lying there, thinking back on all the little moments over the years, Jean Grant felt that fate truly had a cruel sense of humor.
Her prejudice against him disintegrated completely, leaving nothing behind.
The variety show that Ethan Ellsworth and Nora Ainsworth had recorded together officially aired at eight o’clock that night. Nora was very pleased with her debut. She was also growing calmer when reading the malicious slander about her online.
She went back to Chloe Marshall’s place early that evening, where the four of them gathered around the television to watch the show. Chloe was practically glued to the screen, clapping and cheering from time to time. When the game segment came on, she burst into laughter repeatedly.
"Nora, just you wait! Your Weibo follower count is going to explode tomorrow."
Nora Ainsworth was taken aback. "Weibo? I haven’t used that in ages."
"I registered a new one for you, and I even got it verified." Zeke Marshall pulled out his phone and logged into the account to show her. "Sis, I’ve saved the username and password on your phone. Just download the Weibo app. You can post things whenever you have time."
Nora Ainsworth looked at the verification info and burst out laughing: *New Actress, Artist under Zenith.*
"Zeke, not bad. You’ve thought of everything a manager should do."
Zeke Marshall gave a shy smile. "Sis, don’t worry. From now on, I’ll be your knight in shining armor. As your manager, I’ll do a great job."
Nora Ainsworth nodded with a smile. "Okay."
After watching, Mr. Marshall said, "Nora, when you’re on these shows, you should smile more. You look even prettier when you do."
Nora Ainsworth nodded in agreement.
Just as the variety show ended and the four of them were about to turn off the TV and go to bed, a preview for *Entertainment World* appeared. The very first topic made Nora Ainsworth freeze.
"In entertainment news, the famous diamond bachelor Quentin Grant has given his first-ever media interview, answering questions about his personal life for the first time."
After the announcer’s voiceover, Quentin Grant’s tall figure appeared on the screen. A reporter rushed forward to interview him. "Young Master Grant, has a date been set for the wedding?"
He smiled pleasantly at the camera. "My fiancée and I are in the process of deciding. We’ll let everyone know as soon as there’s good news."
"Will your fiancée be pregnant before the wedding?"
Quentin Grant’s expression didn’t change. "I don’t think so. I’d prefer to have children after we’re married."
The reporter pressed on, "Young Master Grant, do you have a timeline for having children after you get married?"
"No timeline. We’ll let nature take its course. But we will definitely have them."
Nora Ainsworth stood up and, without a word, went back to her room.
Chloe Marshall looked at Zeke Marshall and said in a low voice, "We should have turned it off immediately. From now on, if Quentin Grant shows up on TV, you have to turn it off right away, got it?"
Zeke Marshall was confused. "Why, Sis?"
Chloe Marshall stood up. "Don’t ask. Just know that Nora isn’t allowed to see any news about Quentin Grant."
She turned and followed her into the room.
Closing the door, she saw Nora Ainsworth sitting on the edge of the bed, lost in thought. Chloe Marshall said softly, "Nora, don’t be sad."
Nora Ainsworth shook her head. "I’m fine. As long as he’s happy, that’s all that matters."
Chloe Marshall took off her shoes and climbed onto the bed. "Nora, I always feel like you’re hiding something from me. If something’s on your mind, you should say it. Don’t keep it all bottled up inside."
Nora lowered her head and started taking off her own shoes. "It’s nothing. It’s just... I feel like in this life, no matter how hard you try, some things are just beyond your control."
