Chapter 277 Don't Be Shortsighted
A single eyebrow arched on Aaron's face as he responded, "Yes, I did mention that. Nora, your status as a Hamilton family heir undoubtedly eased Grandpa's acceptance of our relationship. However, I firmly believe that even without this lineage, your intellect and our children would have served as a bridge, leading him to accept you."
This was a conviction he had always held. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that Nora's identity as a Ebenezer' daughter was an added advantage, one that certainly hastened Grandpa's approval.
Nora pursed her lips, a silent admission that she had no further demands. Her original plan had been to take their three children and depart Houston that very day, but now she found herself hesitating.
"I had informed my Professor Lee that I intended to take the children to study in Lindwood City," she voiced her concern.
"Let's revoke that plan," Aaron declared with a decisive tone, a laugh escaping his lips. "Nora, if you dare to whisk the children away, Grandpa might just chase you down with a kitchen knife."
The image this conjured caused Nora to blink in surprise before dissolving into laughter. The thought was indeed comical. So, it was her trio of little ones that had secured her acceptance into the Gordon family?
"Nora, it's heartening to see you smile," Aaron murmured, wrapping his arms around her waist and exhaling a sigh of relief. His gaze was deep, brimming with tenderness as he softly implored, "Promise me, no more unilateral decisions about ending our relationship, okay?"
Under the spell of his tender gaze, Nora felt her heart soften. She nodded in agreement, whispering her assent. Aaron's laughter echoed in response as he reached up to gently pinch her chin, leaning down to press a kiss to her lips.
A rustling sound interrupted their moment, followed by several surprised exclamations.
Startled, Nora turned her head sharply to find their three children sprawled on the ground. They had been eavesdropping! A mix of amusement and embarrassment colored her cheeks as she hastily pushed Aaron away.
The children sat on the floor, their eyes conscientiously covered. "Mom, we didn't see anything!" Samantha's childlike voice piped up. Suppressing a chuckle, Nora walked over to help them up. "Weren't you supposed to be having breakfast?" she queried.
"We were waiting to eat with you and Dad," Samantha replied with a giggle. Billy then asked, "Mommy, does this mean we don't have to change schools?"
Nora's lips curved into a smile as she confirmed, "Yes, no more switching schools."
Samantha's excitement was palpable as she exclaimed, "Yay! That's great! I don't have to leave my friends, and I can still perform at the TV station!" The brothers remained silent, but their eyes shone with joy, mirroring Nora's improved mood.
Contemplating their situation, Nora turned to Aaron, "But I have to go to Lindwood City for a while, with no set return date. The kids will need someone to take them to and from school..."
"Don't worry, I've got it covered," Aaron reassured her, pausing before adding, "Besides, Grandpa would probably be overjoyed to have you gone for a while, so he could openly bring the little ones back to his place and take them to school every day."
Nora couldn't help but suppress a chuckle at this. "I'm not sure that's a good idea. We're not quite at that stage in our relationship."
Aaron's expression turned serious. "Nora, when you return from Lindwood City, I'll arrange for you to meet Grandpa, and then we can discuss our marriage."
The mention of meeting the parents seemed a bit premature to Nora. "Let's see how it goes," she responded, not wanting to appear too eager lest he think winning her over was too easy.
And just like that, a major worry was resolved.
Following their morning meal, the trio of young children set off for preschool, their faces alight with joy. Their spirits were buoyed by the knowledge that their grandfather had tacitly given his approval to their mother's relationship with Uncle Gordon. The children's happiness was infectious, yet not everyone shared in their delight.
Upon receiving news from the school that the Master had intervened, maintaining the status quo and ensuring the children would not be uprooted, Mary was taken aback. She swiftly made her way to the Gordon family estate, seeking clarification on the matter.
In the yard, Jacob was leisurely entertaining himself with the birds. Catching sight of Mary's disgruntled expression, he remarked, "My dear daughter-in-law, you're past fifty. Why are you picking fights with three toddlers?"
"I've spoken with several kindergarten Professor Lees," he continued, "and they all agree that these children are exceptional, true prodigies. They believe that, given time, these kids could become pillars of our nation. Don't let your narrow-mindedness rob our country of potential leaders."
His words placed her on the defensive, forcing her to reconsider her position.
Mary's chest heaved slightly as she retorted, "Dad, do you know who these children are? They are the offspring of that commoner doctor who ensnared Aaron!"
"Do you know what her children did to me? They assaulted me, landing me in the hospital! How can such children be hailed as future leaders? They're nothing more than societal outcasts, and as they grow, they'll only become a scourge on our society!"
Jacob's face darkened at her words.
"My dear, don't spout such nonsense! If you hadn't wronged their mother and sister, would Billy have struck you?"
Having heard the full story from the Professor Lees, he had no intention of siding with Mary.
Mary was taken aback. "Dad, what's come over you? Didn't you hear me? Those are Nora's children."
She couldn't fathom why he still spoke fondly of Billy. Shouldn't he despise those three illegitimate children because of his dislike for Nora?
"I heard you!" Jacob retorted, "Let me be clear, I have no objections to Aaron's relationship with Dr. Smith."
Mary was momentarily stunned by his words.
"What? Dad, Nora is a commoner, how can you not object?"
Jacob replied with a meaningful tone, "My dear, don't be short-sighted. She's a respected doctor. If she saves some important person one day, she could become an honored guest, untouchable and beyond our reach."
He had been informed by his grandson that Nora was the esteemed Master Healer, Dr. Sun. He had made his peace with this fact. Even if Nora didn't have the status of a Hamilton family daughter, she was a renowned Master Healer. As he had said, any day now she could become a distinguished guest of some high-ranking individual, making her status truly untouchable.
Mary couldn't accept his words, convinced that Jacob was losing his wits.
"Well, I don't agree with Aaron being with that woman, period," she declared indignantly.
Jacob gave her a look, then turned back to his pet bird.
"Do you think you have control over Aaron? He doesn't even listen to me! I suggest you worry less about your son and spend more time taking care of your husband," he advised, before adding, "Have you heard? He's been quite close with a girl from the drama college lately?"
Mary was livid at his words. Life had dealt her too many disappointments, and she was on the brink of despair.
"Dad, Caden is your son, can't you do something about him?" she pleaded.
Jacob shook his head in distaste, "Caden's not a child. His son is nearly thirty, what do you expect me to do at my age? You're his wife, Mary. Perhaps you should put more effort into managing your husband."
His critique of her ability to handle her husband was, to put it mildly, unflattering.
"But Dad..."
"That's enough, sort out your marital issues yourselves," Jacob cut her off, preferring not to say more.
Tears welled up in Mary's eyes as she turned to leave. Thoughts of her husband, who these days either didn’t come home or came very late, caused the tears to swirl in her eyes. The couple was already sleeping in separate rooms, and she felt as though she were living like a widow.
She had once been the darling of a prominent family. Why was Caden Gordon trampling on her dignity like this?
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