Chapter 925
Martin's expression darkened a bit, his lips moved again, and Jackson's gaze flicked over to Lillian.
Jackson's voice was icy, "What are you doing here?"
Martin hadn't even stepped inside yet, but he already felt unwelcome, suffocated by the rejection.
He frowned deeply, "I'm your father! Your son was found, such a big deal, and I'm the last to know. What do you think I'm here for?"
Martin came with a simmering anger in his heart.
Although he had been on a business trip abroad for the past half month and wasn't in Miracalia, he was Taylor's grandfather. Taylor was alive and had been kidnapped; such a major event happened at home, and he didn't know a thing about it.
Jackson hadn't told him anything. It was only last night, when he spoke with Mike's father, who congratulated him on the reunion, that he found out about it.
He had taken a red-eye flight back, and without even going home, he rushed straight to the hospital.
Who knew he would be treated like this?
"You're here to blame us," Jackson replied coldly.
Martin's face turned even grimmer, his chest heaving slightly.
Seeing the tense atmosphere and Martin's inability to back down, Jeffrey stood up and said, "Dad, Jackson got shot while rescuing Taylor yesterday. It's pretty serious. Lillian is just helping Jackson check his wound. You misunderstood Lillian."
Martin's anger didn't subside much upon hearing this.
Mentioning Lillian made him even more annoyed. Lillian had been raised in the Frane family for so many years, and he was her elder, her former father-in-law.
Lillian found her family, became the Kelly family's heiress, and returned to Seaspring Valley City, yet neither Lyra nor Jackson had mentioned it to him.
He only found out from Dominic a while ago.
Since Daisy's incident and her being sent to a mental hospital, Martin felt like he had become a pariah in his own home.
The already thin father-son relationship with Jackson had become even more strained.
Martin was furious, but he still wanted to repair the fragile father-son relationship.
And no matter what, Taylor was his grandson. With his relationship with Jackson beyond repair, he wanted to build a good relationship with his grandson.
So, Martin suppressed his anger and frustration, coughed lightly, and said with a stern expression, "With so many people around, how did you get shot? What did the doctor say? Will there be any lasting effects?"
He walked into the room, took a couple of steps to the sofa, and looked at Jackson's back with concern.
Despite the strained relationship, Jackson was still his son, a son who brought him pride and honor.
Martin still cared about Jackson.
However, Jackson didn't appreciate it. He didn't look at Martin; his gaze remained on Lillian, and he said softly, "Don't worry, I said it didn't reopen, so it didn't."
Lillian examined the wound carefully. Although there was some blood seeping through the bandage, it seemed normal. She relaxed and helped Jackson adjust his hospital gown, saying, "It's a gunshot wound, it's hard to heal. You should take it seriously."
She buttoned Jackson's gown, and he smiled at her, promising to take care of himself.
The two talked as if Martin wasn't even there.
Martin's face turned sour. He had always been lucky.
The Frane family had been a prestigious family for a century, and Martin was born the eldest son, always pampered and respected.
Lyra and Lucas had a loving marriage, and Martin took over the Frane Group without much trouble.
When the Frane Group was struggling, Jackson led them to success, which made Martin arrogant and self-centered.
He had never been publicly humiliated like this, especially by his own son and the daughter-in-law he once looked down upon.
And to make matters worse, Jeffrey was watching, his father lost face and authority.
Just as Martin was about to lose his temper, Jeffrey spoke urgently, "Dad, aren't you here to see Taylor? Look how cute Taylor is."
Jeffrey's words gave Martin a way out.
Martin found Jeffrey's personality much more likable and considerate, not a waste of his affection.
Martin turned coldly and walked towards the bed.
Lillian saw Martin approaching Taylor. Although she knew Martin, as a grandfather, probably wouldn't harm Taylor, she couldn't be sure he wouldn't dislike Taylor because of her.
Taylor was her precious child, and she watched Martin closely, ready to intervene.
But Martin bent down slightly and smiled kindly at Taylor, who was playing with toys on the bed.
He clapped his hands and spoke gently, "Taylor, I'm your grandpa. Would you like to let grandpa hold you?"
Taylor, sitting on the bed, responded positively.
Hearing Martin's clapping, Taylor tilted his head and looked at him with big eyes.
Martin smiled even more kindly.
When Taylor was Logan, Lyra, and Jeffrey had met him.
Martin rarely visited the Frane Mansion, so today was his first time seeing Taylor.
Taylor's face was delicate and adorable, his features well-formed, a cute little child, very endearing.
Martin looked at Taylor, his smile becoming more genuine, and he coaxed softly, "Taylor, let grandpa hold you. Grandpa will give you a big gift, okay?"
Taylor was too young to understand what a gift was.
But perhaps there was some mystical connection, Taylor looked at Martin and didn't shy away or cry, instead leaning towards him.
Martin's smile grew more sincere, and he reached out to hold Taylor.
But before he could touch Taylor, a pair of large hands lifted Taylor from the bed and held him.
In an instant, Taylor was out of reach.
Martin's expression darkened as he looked at the culprit.
Of course, it was none other than Jackson, who could infuriate him in seconds.
Martin looked at Jackson, who had taken two steps back with Taylor in his arms, feeling that his earlier concern for Jackson was completely unnecessary.
The severity of Jackson's gunshot wound was questionable, given how swiftly he snatched Taylor away.
"Am I some kind of germ?" Martin said, clearly displeased.
Jackson held Taylor, his expression indifferent. "Do you even know how to hold a kid? Don't drop my son. And did you wash your hands? Who knows what you're carrying?"
Martin's suit jacket was slightly wrinkled, evidence of his rushed journey. But Jackson was clearly not moved, genuinely concerned about the germs.
Martin felt a surge of anger, almost to the point of spitting blood. "Of course, I know how to hold a kid! I held you when you were little!"
But realizing he hadn't changed clothes or washed his hands since arriving from the airport, he withdrew his hand, no longer attempting to hold Taylor.
Lillian walked over. Jackson had a shoulder injury, and although he didn't seem to mind, Taylor was still a bit heavy.
Lillian raised her arms. "Taylor, be good. Let Mommy hold you."
Taylor clearly favored Lillian the most. Having just learned to say "Mommy," he always received enthusiastic responses from her.
Taylor, being a smart little boy, remembered this. He looked at Lillian and immediately reached out, his soft little mouth calling, "Mommy."
Lillian felt her heart melt. Smiling, she took Taylor and gave him two big kisses on his soft, chubby cheeks. "Taylor is so good, so wonderful."
Taylor hugged Lillian's neck, his little legs bouncing with excitement, calling out again, "Mommy, Mommy."
Martin couldn't stay angry, watching this scene with delight. He took a couple of steps closer to Taylor.
"This kid can already say 'Mommy'? So smart and clever, just like my grandson should be. Taylor, say 'Grandpa,' 'Grandpa!'"
Martin bent down slightly, coaxing Taylor with a cheerful smile.
Taylor looked at the kind-faced Martin, then turned his head and buried his face in Lillian's neck.
Martin was speechless. Was even this kid going to ignore him?
Seeing Jackson and Lillian's cold expressions, Jeffrey remembered what Lyra had told him. She had advised him to be considerate and not stay too long, allowing Jackson and Lillian to spend more time together as a family.
He stepped forward and tugged at Martin. "Dad, the doctor will be here soon for rounds. So many people here will just get in the way. You must be exhausted from the overnight flight. Grandma has been worried about you. Let me take you home to rest."
Jeffrey winked at Lillian and Jackson, then started to lead Martin out.
Martin realized he had made a poor start, having lashed out at Lillian without understanding the situation. If Jeffrey hadn't been there, who knows how things might have escalated.
Staying longer wouldn't do any good, so Martin didn't resist and let Jeffrey lead him out, though he was reluctant. He hadn't even touched Taylor's little hand.
He stared at Taylor, who, seeing Martin and Jeffrey leaving, peeked out from Lillian's neck, looking at Martin.
Martin and Taylor's eyes met, and Martin immediately smiled again. "Taylor, say 'Grandpa,' 'Grandpa!'"
Jackson chuckled. Taylor couldn't even say "Daddy" yet, and Martin was dreaming.
But the next second, he heard Taylor's soft, sweet voice.
Though the pronunciation wasn't perfect, it sounded close enough.
Martin was overjoyed, stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter.
He stopped walking, shaking off Jeffrey. "Taylor called me 'Grandpa'! What a good grandson. Come on, say 'Grandpa' again."
He moved towards Taylor, and Jackson's expression darkened.
Jackson had never been very welcoming to Martin, and now he wanted to kick him out immediately.
He stepped forward, blocking Martin's path with a cold expression. "You misheard. Since you're tired from your trip, go home and rest."
Martin didn't get a chance to say more to Taylor before Jackson blocked his view and ushered him out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Jackson turned back, his face slightly grim, and walked over to take Taylor from Lillian.
Calling "Mommy" first was fine. He had no issue with that, given all the hardships Lillian had endured. If Taylor hadn't called her first, Jackson would have been upset and would have spanked him.
But he, as the father who got a bullet wound saving Taylor, was being overlooked in favor of Martin?
"What's the matter with you, Taylor!?" Jackson's tone was stern, and Taylor, sensing his anger, clung tightly to Lillian's neck, burying his head in her chest.
Lillian found it amusing. She quickly turned, holding Taylor, and said to Jackson, "Don't scare him."
Jackson looked at her with a hurt expression. "I'm not scaring him. Didn't you see what your ungrateful son just did? He needs a good lesson!"
Lillian quickly defended Taylor. "Maybe 'Daddy' is just harder to say? I think I called 'Mommy' first too when I was little..."
Seeing Jackson's increasingly accusatory look, Lillian's voice trailed off. She patted Taylor's little bottom. "Taylor, say 'Daddy,' 'Daddy, Daddy!'"
Taylor, feeling the pat, seemed even more excited, thinking Lillian was playing with him. His little legs kicked, and he bounced happily in her arms, making sounds that didn't resemble "Daddy" at all.
Jackson's face grew colder, and Lillian tried to console him. "We'll teach him slowly. I promise the next word he says will be 'Daddy.' Besides, he probably just said 'Grandpa' by coincidence. It wasn't intentional."
But as soon as she finished speaking, Taylor caught the word "Grandpa" and called out, "Grand..."
Lillian was speechless. This silly boy was hopeless.
She smiled helplessly at Jackson. "Taylor calling 'Grandpa' first is also a way of showing respect for you!"
Jackson chuckled and reached out to Lillian. "Hand him over."
Lillian held Taylor, asking weakly, "You're not really going to spank him, are you?"
Seeing her cautious expression, Jackson felt even more frustrated.
Jackson raised an eyebrow, looking at Lillian. "If you don't want me to spank him, then you take the punishment for him."
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