Chapter 398 It's All Your Fault
A wave of anxiety washed over Jacob as he processed the news. "What's happened? Is Billy hurt?" he questioned, a tremor in his voice.
"No, all the children are safe," Aaron reassured him. "However, Mr. Hamilton Senior has voiced his concerns about the security in Houston and wishes for the three children to transfer to schools in Lindwood City."
Jacob's anxiety morphed into anger at this revelation. "What did Mr. Hamilton Senior say? The school may be at fault, but it's not solely to blame. He's just using this as an excuse to take the children away from me!" he exclaimed, frustration seeping into his words.
A smile tugged at the corners of Aaron's lips. It was clear that Jacob already considered the children as his own. "Nora has given her consent, and I'm left with no other choice," he admitted.
Jacob fell silent, contemplating the situation. After a moment, he asked tentatively, "Aaron, does Nora blame me for not providing enough protection for the children?"
Aaron was quick to dismiss his fears. "Not at all, Grandpa. You're reading too much into it. Mr. Hamilton Senior is Nora's biological grandfather. She can't simply disregard his concerns."
Jacob's displeasure was evident as he fell into another bout of silence. "So, I won't be able to see the children anymore?" he asked, a hint of sadness in his voice.
Aaron was quick to reassure him. "That's not the case. Uncle Hamilton and I have agreed that while the children are studying in Lindwood City, they'll stay with Nora at my villa. You can move to Lindwood City if you wish to see them."
Jacob's silence returned, this time filled with anger. "This is all your fault. Why haven't you gotten Nora pregnant yet? Are you even capable of that?" he spat out, his frustration evident.
Aaron was taken aback. "Grandpa, I can't make babies on my own!" he protested.
Jacob dismissed his protests. "Enough with the excuses. This is your fault," he scolded. "I still have to tutor Alex and Billy for the Math Olympiad. They're exceptionally intelligent and need proper nurturing. Take me to Lindwood City in a few days."
The excuse was made up, but the truth was that he couldn't bear to be separated from the three children. Aaron smirked, understanding his grandfather's true feelings. "I understand. There's also something I need to tell you..." He proceeded to describe Millie's situation.
As expected, his grandfather scolded him. "You had such a great opportunity, and you couldn't even convince Nora to marry you. How useless are you?" Jacob berated him.
Aaron merely scratched his forehead and listened to the tirade with a smile, not bothering to argue. He knew he deserved the scolding. After all, he was the one who failed to persuade Nora to marry him.
After venting his frustrations, Jacob finally calmed down, gave a few reminders, and ended the call. Aaron took a deep breath and, after a moment of thought, called Noe to arrange a children's room at the villa and purchase baby supplies for Millie.
From that moment on, Millie would live with Nora. Whether Nora agreed to marry him or not, as long as it was what she wanted, he would make it happen.
Meanwhile, Jacob hung up the phone and an idea struck him. He turned to his butler and asked, "Is the Gordon group still planning to sponsor a donation to Monte Kindergarten this year?"
The butler was taken aback, but after a moment's thought, he replied, "I believe so."
"Cancel the sponsorship!" Jacob commanded. He blamed the school for Billy's kidnapping, which caused him to be separated from the three children.
Why should such an unreliable institution continue to receive their support?
"Yes, Sir," the butler responded promptly.
Meanwhile, Ekenezer asked Kenneth to help the three children with their transfer procedures.
Kenneth agreed and left the ward to make a phone call to his assistant.
Within the confines of the hospital ward, Nora had just finished tending to Ryan. Despite her completion, Ryan was reluctant to let the children depart, and Nora didn't feel compelled to hasten their exit. She had noticed a smile beginning to bloom on Millie's face, a sight that warmed her heart amidst the lively atmosphere.
Time, she mused, was the greatest healer. In the grand scheme of things, Millie would eventually forget her past sorrows and grow up in a world filled with joy.
"Mommy, I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave," Suzy announced, her patience having worn thin. She no longer wished to remain a spectator to the harmonious scene unfolding before her.
"I must get going as well," Emma chimed in, glancing at her wristwatch. Her gaze then shifted to Sandy. "Sandy, you're being discharged today, aren't you?"
Sandy nodded in affirmation, "Yes, Mommy."
"Then let's leave together," Emma proposed.
Sandy, however, was reluctant to leave the lively atmosphere of the ward. She hesitated, her gaze flickering towards Nora.
Emma's face hardened at Sandy's hesitation. "Why are you still not moving? You're with child, Sandy. This hospital is rife with bacteria. Aren't you worried about the well-being of your unborn child if you continue to linger here?"
Not wishing to engage in a dispute with her mother-in-law, Sandy bid Nora farewell and left with Emma.
When EKenezer saw Emma leaving without even looking at him, he furrowed his brow and shook his head. The older she got, the more temperamental she became. Was it the onset of menopause?
EKenezer sighed and waited for Kenneth to finish his phone call before calling Aaron to discuss Ken's situation.
Meanwhile, Nora and Mrs. Woodhouse settled on a sofa in the ward, observing the children chat.
"Mrs. Woodhouse, have you agreed to adopt Millie? If it's inconvenient, I can find another solution," Nora said.
"Don't worry, I just spoke to Andrew, and he's given his consent," Mrs. Woodhouse reassured her with a smile.
"Thank you," Nora expressed her gratitude, her face lighting up with a smile.
"It's our pleasure. We're family after all; there's no need for such formalities," Mrs. Woodhouse replied, her own smile mirroring Nora's. "Stay seated; I'll fetch some fruit."
"Okay," Nora smiled.
Since the Woodhouses had adopted Millie, Nora no longer felt the urgency to marry Aaron.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Evella.
Evella: [Nora, is Billy okay?]
Nora: [Yes.]
Evella: [That's great. My prayers at the church weren't in vain.]
Nora couldn't help but smile at Evella's unique perspective.
Nora: [You're thoughtful.]
Recalling the day she had briefly met Flynt and had to leave in haste, Nora added a message.
Nora: [Our meeting with you and your boyfriend was quite rushed. Let's arrange a dinner together sometime.]
Evella: [Okay, I'll tell him later.]
After exchanging a few more messages with Evella, Nora received a call from Jenny. She excused herself from the ward to answer the call.
"Hi, Jenny."
"Is Billy alright?" Jenny's words echoed Evella's concern.
Nora reassured her that Billy was doing fine, then proceeded to update her about Millie's situation.
Upon hearing the news, Jenny exclaimed, "Why didn't you ask me? I could also adopt Millie."
Nora knew that Jenny's current circumstances didn't meet the adoption requirements, but she appreciated her friend's sentiment.
"Jenny, it seems like your conditions don't meet the adoption requirements either," Nora gently pointed out.
"No way, Edric and I plan to get married. Once we get the marriage certificate, we can adopt Millie, right?" Jenny retorted.
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