Chapter 745 In a Difficult Situation
Maggie was immersed in interacting with her son and daughter when Eleanor's expression changed immediately upon hearing that she wanted to take the children away.
Eleanor quietly held Katie, who was in the playpen, in her arms and said, "Maggie, the kids are doing well here and are very happy. Just let them stay here."
As she spoke, Eleanor taught Katie to call her grandma. Katie couldn't say it yet, but she liked Eleanor very much, reaching out to touch Eleanor's face and then laughing.
Katie had dimples when she smiled, which made her look especially cute.
Maggie understood Eleanor's intention and subtly competed with her, saying, "The children should be with their mother. I haven't seen them for so long, and I miss them. Thank you for taking care of them during this time."
Seeing the two start to argue, Arya and Dulce began to get nervous.
This wasn't just about taking the children back; it was a fight for custody.
Legally, Maggie was the children's guardian, but if it came to a real fight, she couldn't win against the Flores family.
Arya smiled and said, "We're all family, Eleanor. You love the children and have taken such good care of them; we all see that. But it's natural for Maggie to miss the kids since she hasn't seen them for so long."
Eleanor looked at Maggie and said, "If you miss the kids, just come and visit. The Flores Manor has many people who can take care of them. Maggie, you can't stay down forever. There are so many things in the company that you need to learn to manage. Fiorello is gone, but this family can't fall apart."
Eleanor's meaning was clear: Maggie could have decision-making power in the company, but the custody of the two children belonged to them.
As she spoke, Eleanor's eyes reddened. "Maggie, I just lost a son. I see you as a daughter. Katie and Nate are my grandchildren. If you take them away, how will I live? You have to let me have something to hold on to."
As an outsider, Dulce didn't say anything. If she intervened, it might escalate the conflict.
Both women loved the children. One lost her husband, the other her son. Now these two children were their emotional support.
Maggie thought of the deceased Fiorello and couldn't bear to argue with Eleanor. She understood Eleanor's feelings.
She should honor Eleanor and Joseph on behalf of Fiorello. Taking the two children away would indeed be cruel.
Maggie looked at Nate in her arms and said to Eleanor, "Mom, I'll move back to the Flores Manor. Fiorello is gone, but I'm still the daughter-in-law of the Flores family. I'll honor you on his behalf, take care of this family, take care of the children, and manage the company well."
With no men left in the Flores Manor, the family had lost its support. She needed to become the pillar of this family.
With children and elders to care for, she had to pull herself together instead of fighting Eleanor for custody. They were a family, and there was nothing to fight over.
Hearing this, Eleanor's eyes welled up with tears. She hugged her granddaughter tightly and said to Maggie, "Thank you, Maggie."
It was fortunate to have these two children; otherwise, Eleanor wouldn't have been able to recover from her grief.
Maggie decided to move to the Flores Manor. Arya had no objections, but didn't want to move in with her.
When Arya left the Flores Manor, she said, "Maggie, how about this? You stay here, and I'll live in the South with Adalia. You can leave Adalia to me."
"Mom, Adalia is also my daughter. She should live with me. Otherwise, Adalia will feel abandoned and think I don't want her."
Arya shook her head. "Maggie, Adalia definitely won't want to live in the Flores Manor. She has a different last name and isn't Fiorello's daughter. There will always be differences. With Fiorello gone, Katie and Nate growing up, conflicts are inevitable. Your mother-in-law has that kind of personality. Adalia will only suffer, and you'll be in a difficult position."
Only a mother would dare to say such things.
Arya felt sorry for Maggie. Losing her husband, Maggie wanted to maintain her life in a wealthy family, which wasn't easy. If the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law wasn't harmonious, she might end up with nothing, not even custody of the children.
One shouldn't think the worst of people, but it's wise to be prepared for the worst.
Maggie didn't have a strong family to back her up. Arya could only take care of Adalia and not add to Maggie's troubles.
Maggie reached out and hugged Arya. She understood that her mother was thinking of her.
Her mother's worries were valid.
Eleanor's emotions were unstable, and she was overly concerned about the two children. If Adalia moved in, she might indeed suffer.
Maggie wanted all her children by her side, but she knew it was difficult. In the adult world, there were too many things to balance, and not everything could go smoothly.
Now, with the Flores family going through a tough time, Maggie couldn't afford to be sentimental and get bogged down in these issues. She said, "I'll go back with you tonight. I'll talk to Adalia myself and respect her opinion."
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