C248 You Have To Convince Her

Downstairs, the atmosphere remained heavy after Sarah excused herself. The sound of the running shower upstairs was faint, but in the living room no one spoke for several long moments. Nicolas Heaps remained standing in front of Kelvin and Tracy, his posture humble for the first time in years. The proud businessman who had always looked down on others now seemed several years older.

He lowered his head once more. "Mr. Wood... we've known each other for many years. Even after the misunderstanding involving our children in the past, we managed to settle everything as elders. Please... can we negotiate this matter as well? I know I made a mistake, which is why I came here personally to apologize." Kelvin sighed deeply. "Nicolas, if this decision depended on me, I would gladly sit down and discuss it with you. But this time... my hands are tied."

Nicolas frowned. "What do you mean?" Before Kelvin could answer, footsteps echoed from upstairs. A maid appeared at the top of the staircase and respectfully called out, "Madam Samantha, little Monica has just woken up. Should I bring her downstairs?" The tense atmosphere softened slightly. Samantha immediately stood. "No need. I'll come upstairs." The moment she turned to leave, Lindsey also rose from her chair. "I'll come too. I haven't seen my granddaughter today."

Samantha stopped walking. Without turning around, she spoke quietly, "Only now do you remember that you have a granddaughter?" Those few words landed like a slap across Lindsey's face. She froze completely. Her lips trembled. "My child..." Slowly, Samantha turned around. There were no tears in her eyes this time. Only disappointment. "My child?" she repeated with a bitter smile. "When was the last time you called to ask about Monica?"

Lindsey opened her mouth. "I..." "You've always asked about my marriage." Silence. "You've always asked whether I was pleasing my husband." Another silence. "You've always told me to endure." Samantha's voice grew calmer with every sentence. "But never once did you ask how your granddaughter was doing." Lindsey lowered her head. "My child... I..." Samantha interrupted softly. "Even Mrs. Wood has treated me better than my own mother."

Those words hurt far more than shouting ever could. Tracy looked away quietly. Even she couldn't deny it. Since Samantha married into the Wood family, Tracy had looked after her like her own daughter. Lindsey's eyes slowly became red. "My daughter... I truly..." "I'm tired." Samantha cut her off gently. "I don't want to argue anymore." Without another word, she walked upstairs. Lindsey remained rooted to the spot before forcing herself to follow behind.

Inside Samantha's room, little Monica was standing beside the edge of her crib. She held onto the wooden rail with both tiny hands. Her little legs trembled as she gathered the courage to move. The maid stood nearby with an excited smile. "Young Miss has been trying all afternoon." Just as Samantha stepped inside... Monica released one hand. Then another. She took one tiny step. Then another. "Waa..." She almost lost her balance before managing another small step.

Samantha gasped. "My baby!" She hurried forward and caught Monica just before she stumbled. The little girl giggled happily before wrapping her tiny arms around her mother's neck. Samantha hugged her tightly. A genuine smile spread across her face. "My little princess..." She kissed Monica's forehead repeatedly. "You can walk now." The little girl laughed as if she understood every word.

Lindsey watched the touching scene from the doorway. Her own eyes became moist. "My granddaughter..." She slowly walked closer. "My child has grown so much." She reached out and gently stroked Monica's tiny head. "You look so much like your mother." Monica simply blinked at her before reaching toward Samantha again. Samantha smiled faintly. "My daughter is becoming naughty." Lindsey chuckled softly. "Just like you were."

For a brief moment... The room almost felt peaceful. Almost. But Samantha had no desire to continue the conversation. She handed Monica back to the maid. "I need to freshen up." The maid nodded respectfully. "Don't let her climb anywhere." "Yes, Madam." Without another glance at her mother, Samantha walked toward her bathroom. Lindsey sighed quietly before spending another few minutes playing with Monica. Only then did she return downstairs.

When Lindsey arrived back in the living room, Nicolas was still pleading. Kelvin looked exhausted. "Mr. Heaps," he said calmly, "please understand. This decision truly isn't mine." Nicolas clenched his fists. "Surely you're still the chairman." "I am." "Then reverse it." Kelvin shook his head. "The company doesn't operate that way anymore." He looked toward Ben. "Ben understands." Ben nodded slightly. "Dad's right."

Kelvin continued, "Sarah is the Managing Director." He then pointed toward the staircase. "And Samantha is the Vice Director." "They are also the company's largest shareholders." Nicolas frowned. "I know Samantha became Vice Director..." "But I didn't know she had become a major shareholder." Kelvin smiled faintly. "The company belongs to the shareholders." "If the two largest shareholders agree on a decision..." "...my vote alone changes nothing."

Nicolas slowly understood. "So..." "...even you cannot stop them?" Kelvin nodded. "I can't." Lindsey suddenly looked shocked. "What?" She turned toward Kelvin. "You mean..." "My daughter is one of the company's majority shareholders?" "Yes." "And Sarah too?" "Exactly." Lindsey found it difficult to believe. Her daughter... The quiet girl who had always listened to everyone... Now possessed enough authority to influence the future of an entire corporation.

Kelvin continued patiently, "If you truly want this partnership restored..." "...then don't convince me." "You need to convince Samantha." "And perhaps..." "...she might convince Sarah." Nicolas slowly lowered his head. For the first time that evening... He realized how powerless he truly was. His greatest bargaining chip... His relationship with the Wood family... Had disappeared the moment he insulted Sarah over the phone.

He sighed deeply. "I understand." He slowly stood up. "In that case..." "...I won't disturb your family any longer." "I've already caused enough trouble today." Kelvin rose from his chair. "So have we." The two men shook hands quietly. There was no hostility. Only regret. Tracy also stood. "We'll see you out." Lindsey looked toward the staircase one last time. She had hoped Samantha would come downstairs before they left. She never did.

With disappointment filling her heart, Lindsey quietly followed her husband outside. The front door slowly closed behind them. Silence filled the Wood residence once again. Ben leaned back in his chair. "What a day..." Kelvin rubbed his temples. "I don't think I've ever attended such an exhausting family dinner." Even Tracy couldn't help laughing weakly.

Meanwhile... Across the city... At the Mooney residence... Alicia had finally finished organizing all of her belongings inside her mother's bedroom. Boxes that had once filled the room were now neatly arranged. Her clothes had been placed carefully inside the wardrobe. The room still carried her mother's gentle scent. She looked around quietly. "I'll protect this room." She smiled softly. "And I'll protect everything you left behind." Exhaustion finally caught up with her.

She sat on the edge of the large bed, intending to rest for only a few minutes before going downstairs. "I'll just close my eyes..." Within seconds... Sleep overtook her. Downstairs, Peter looked toward the staircase. "My granddaughter is taking quite a while." Mark glanced at the clock. "She's still arranging her things." Georgia smiled. "I'll go check on her." She quietly climbed the stairs and gently opened the bedroom door.

The sight before her made her smile. Alicia was sleeping peacefully, one hand resting on the blanket, her face free from the stress she had carried throughout the day. Georgia's eyes softened with affection. "My poor child..." She quietly picked up a blanket lying nearby and gently covered Alicia. Brushing a few strands of hair away from her granddaughter's face, she whispered, "You've worked hard." She switched off the bedside lamp, quietly closed the door behind her, and returned downstairs.

Peter immediately looked up. "Well?" Georgia laughed softly. "When I got there..." "...our granddaughter was already asleep." Mark couldn't help smiling. "So tired?" Georgia nodded. "Completely exhausted." Peter chuckled. "It seems tonight's dinner will only be for the three of us." The three of them laughed together before making their way toward the dining table, deciding to let Alicia enjoy the peaceful rest she had earned after one of the most exhausting days of her life.