Chapter 365 The Prohibition of Marital Unions Among Kin
Ryan's eyes sparkled with a gentle light as he delicately passed Samantha's artwork to his mother. "Mommy, please safeguard Samantha's painting. It is very important to me," he requested. Mrs. Woodhouse, with a tender smile playing on her lips, accepted the drawing, reassuring him, "Of course, my dear."
After a moment, Ryan turned his gaze to Nora. " Aunt Nora, can I video call them after school?" he inquired. Nora responded with an affirmative nod, "Sure."
A grin spread across Ryan's face, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Reflecting on the events of the previous day, Nora commended, "Ryan, I am grateful for your courageous act of protecting Alex and the others yesterday."
Standing tall with pride, Ryan responded, "As the eldest, it is my duty to shield my others."
Nora couldn't help but marvel at the maturity of his mindset.
In comparison to the child from the Turner family, Ryan was a stark contrast.
Turning to Mrs. Woodhouse, Nora complimented, "Mrs. Woodhouse, you've done an exceptional job raising Ryan."
Mrs. Woodhouse modestly deflected the praise, "Not at all. Ryan has always been inherently kind-hearted." Nora offered a knowing smile, choosing not to elaborate further.
She understood that a person's character was inevitably shaped by their environment and upbringing.
"Mommy, help me remove this necklace," Ryan requested, pointing to the ornament adorning his neck.
Puzzled, Mrs. Woodhouse complied, "What's the matter?"
"Samantha gifted me something, and I have to return the favor. Aunt Nora, would you help me give this necklace to Samantha?" Ryan's eyes darted around nervously as he spoke.
His desire to gift Samantha the pendant was evident.
His fondness for her was undeniable.
Previously, Samantha had declined the gift, but surely she would accept it now as a return gift, wouldn't she?
"Isn't this... too valuable?" Nora hesitated.
Her daughter had merely given a painting, and now Ryan wished to offer such a precious gift in return. It seemed somewhat unfair.
" Aunt Nora, Samantha is the most delightful girl I've ever encountered. I am quite fond of her. May I marry her when I come of age?" Ryan asked innocently.
Nora, taken aback, burst into laughter. Mrs. Woodhouse, too, was amused by his proposal.
"Ryan, while Samantha is indeed charming, you cannot marry her," Nora gently explained.
"Why not?" Ryan queried, visibly confused.
"Because you and Samantha are kin, and it is forbidden for relatives to marry," Mrs. Woodhouse clarified.
A frown creased Ryan's forehead, "Is that so? We cannot?"
Mrs. Woodhouse shared a glance with Nora, "That seems to be the case, doesn't it?"
Nora's eyes flickered, catching Mrs. Woodhouse's significant look and understanding the implications.
How should she respond?
If she agreed, it would indeed be possible.
After all, she shared no blood ties with the Woodhouse family.
And by extension, neither did Samantha.
Technically, Ryan could marry Samantha in the future.
However...
What was she thinking?
Was she seriously considering the playful words of a child?
"Ryan, you're still young. As you grow older, you'll encounter many girls as enchanting as Samantha," Nora advised.
Ryan shook his head, "No, Samantha is the most delightful girl in the world. She is the only one I fancy."
Nora was taken aback by the early onset of her daughter's romantic fortune!
She was tempted to tease him further, but their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of three men engrossed in a business discussion.
"Nora, kindly stay for a while. I have some matters to attend to," Andrew requested.
Nora nodded in agreement, "I understand. You should go ahead."
"In that case, please look after Ryan," Andrew requested.
"Don't worry, I will do my best," Nora assured him.
"Thank you. We'll arrange another day to visit Aaron."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Andrew took his leave.
"Dr. Smith, I shall take my leave as well," Fabio announced.
Fabio and Nora exchanged farewells before he followed Andrew out.
Nora turned to Aaron, "If you have work to attend to, please feel free to do so."
Aaron glanced at the time and replied, "I'll handle some business matters. Call me if you need anything."
"Okay."
With everyone gone and Ryan's IV drip completed, the room fell into a peaceful silence.
Nora deftly retrieved the treatment kit, her practiced hands preparing to administer the necessary care.
Ryan's gaze fell upon the extensive array of medical equipment that lay before him, a ripple of fear coursing through his small frame.
" Aunt Nora," he said, his voice a timid whisper, "are you going to give me a shot? Will it hurt a lot?"
Nora cast a sidelong glance at him, a playful tease dancing in her eyes. "It might sting a little. Do you want the treatment or not?"
Ryan instinctively withdrew his injured hand, his silence echoing loudly in the room.
Nora's lips curled into a gentle smile. "Ryan, you're a little hero. Don't you want to play the piano well for Samantha in the future?"
At the mention of this, a spark of determination ignited in Ryan's bright eyes.
"I want the treatment!" His words were resolute, his affection for Samantha and his desire to play the piano for her driving his courage.
Nora couldn't suppress a chuckle, instructing him to lie down before commencing the treatment.
Though Ryan remained silent, his tense expression betrayed his fear.
"Ryan, don't be afraid," Nora whispered, her voice a soothing balm. "It may feel a bit tingly at the beginning, but it won't hurt."
Ryan nodded, his eyes fixated on the medical tools Nora held in her hand.
With a deep breath, Nora focused her attention on treating him.
After a few injections, Ryan blinked, his tense nerves instantly relaxing.
" Aunt Nora, the needle didn't hurt at all!" he exclaimed, his relief palpable.
Mrs. Woodhouse, observing from the side, couldn't resist teasing him. "Even if it did, you would have to bear it. Otherwise, I will tell Samantha that you are a coward, and it will damage your image."
Ryan's eyes widened in alarm. "I'm not a coward!"
Nora chuckled, her amusement clear. "Yes, I will tell Samantha that you are very brave."
Ryan beamed with pride.
The treatment would take twenty minutes, so Nora began engaging Ryan in conversation to pass the time.
Just then, Emma and Suzy entered the room.
"Emma, Suzy," Mrs. Woodhouse greeted, rising to her feet.
Emma responded with a nod, her gaze shifting to Nora.
Nora returned her glance with a warm smile.
Emma averted her eyes, her voice cool as she asked, "Treating Ryan?"
"Yes," Nora confirmed.
Emma remained silent, her attention turning to Ryan.
"Ryan, is your hand still hurting?" she inquired.
Despite the lingering pain, Ryan, eager to uphold his "little hero" title, denied it. "Not anymore," he declared.
Emma gently ruffled his hair, her voice soft as she praised, "Ryan is such a good boy."
Suzy's gaze shifted to Nora, her eyes frosty.
"Yeah, Ryan is such a good boy. That Aiden is really despicable. Who would have thought to use a dog to attack someone? Ryan suffered an unwarranted disaster because of that," she emphasized the words "unwarranted disaster".
Emma's brows furrowed, but she remained silent.
Mrs. Woodhouse, sensing the underlying meaning in Suzy's words, cast a glance at Nora. "In the end, it all comes down to the Turner family's poor parental education," she remarked.
Suzy, who had been waiting for Mrs. Woodhouse and her husband to target Nora, was met with silence.
She continued, her words laced with criticism. "The Turner family does appear to lack proper parental guidance, but Nora, it's also important for you to introspect. Take the time to educate your three children and instill in them the value of humility in their interactions with others. I've heard that the conflict stemmed from your children provoking Aiden. It's wise to maintain a modest demeanor. They are young and may not understand boundaries. Nora, you shouldn't indulge your children excessively, lest their behavior becomes unruly!”
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