Chapter 179 The Old Man Considers
Chapter 179 The Old Man Considers
"Grandpa, I..." Yvonne started speaking and her eyes grew red.
The old man jumped as she cried profusely. "What's wrong with you, why are you crying all of a sudden? I haven't mistreated you, have I?"
"I know, I just... it’s just..."
"What is it? Go on, don't leave me hanging here!" said the old man as he anxiously stamped his cane on the floor.
The girl's cries made the old man grow even more anxious by the minute and it was making him go nuts.
Yvonne wiped her nose and said, "I'm sorry for my behavior, I should’ve held back my tears."
"It’s fine, now get on with what you were about to say," said the old man as he helplessly gestured to her to speak.
With a nod, Yvonne wiped away her tears and took a deep breath as if to muster up the courage. Suddenly, she knelt down in front of the old man on her knees.
Both the old man and Frederick who was standing behind him were completely stunned.
"What is the meaning of this, little girl?" The old man hurriedly tried to pull her up.
Yvonne was totally unwilling to get up despite the old man's attempts. "I'm sorry Grandpa, I have failed you."
"What do you mean?" asked the old man with his eyebrows raised.
Yvonne wiped another tear. "I want to file for a divorce!"
"What did you say?" The old man stopped himself as h e was about to drink his tea.
The stunned Frederick was also looking at Yvonne.
Yvonne bit her lip and repeated, "Grandpa, I want a divorce!"
Thud!
The old man's tea cup was heavily slammed on the table.
The old man's face had grown dark. "You say you want a divorce?"
Yvonne reined in her fear and replied, "Yes."
"Give me a reason." The old man his sight had fixated o n her.
Yvonne dared not look at the old man in the eye and kept her head low. "Because I cannot bear to live another moment with Henry anymore."
"Just because of this?" laughed the old man.
Yvonne dropped her head even lower. "Yes..."
"Hmph!" The old man slammed the table again with his hand, "Filing for a divorce merely because you can't live on together. Yvonne, do you still think you are a child? Is marriage merely child’s play to you?”
"Of course not, Grandpa, I do take my marriage seriously. It's just that I...I recently ran into some undesirable circumstances," Yvonne choked.
She couldn't muster up the courage to tell the old man about the loss of her child.
The old man had been longing for a grandson all this time. If he were to find out about this, his heart wouldn't be able to withstand the pain.
"Undesirable circumstances? What happened exactly?” The old man's eyes turned as sharp as daggers.
Yvonne shook her head, "I cannot tell you, Grandpa."
"Why can't you tell me!”
"I really can't tell you, I'm so sorry Grandpa," Yvonne said with tears flowing down her cheeks again.
The old man had become tired from the interrogation. He laid back, rubbed his temples, and hinted at Frederick.
As if he understood the old man’s instructions, Frederick nodded and silently left the room.
"Alright then, I won't force you to tell me what happened if it is against your wishes, but let me ask you this. Are you sure you want a divorce?" asked the old man coldly.
Yvonne raised her head with a determined face. "Yes, I am sure."
"Aah, I see you have already had this thought for quite some time now," the old man said sarcastically.
Yvonne pursed her lips and kept quiet.
The old man stamped his cane on the floor again, " Yvonne, there has never been a divorce in the Lancaster family ever. What makes you think that I would let you break that tradition? Also, your name is already in our family tree and you’ve already met everyone in the family. Do you really think getting a divorce is as simple as you think it to be?"
"I know, but I'm really exhausted. I can't find it within me to forgive him either." Yvonne’s body shook.
The old man raised his eyebrows, “Forgive him? Has h e done something to you?"
"He...” Yvonne opened her mouth, almost confessing to the whole truth subconsciously, but stopped herself before she could say anything. "It’s my fault, it's all my fault, the divorce is because of me and it is purely onesided. It has nothing to do with him.” 1
"Since it is one-sided, that must mean that Henry is unaware of the divorce, correct?" said the old man, slightly aghast.
Yvonne shook her head. "Henry knows, but is against
the idea.”
"Since he rejected the idea, that must mean he still has you in his heart. That's good, right? I also know that you still have feelings for him too, I can see it with my eyes. As long as you settle your differences and continue to stay together, you will become a very loving couple.” The old man as he raised his teacup again.
Yvonne bit her lip. "No, he won't, because Henry never had me in his heart, only Jacqueline."
"Jacqueline?” The old man didn't look happy when he heard her name, "So you're saying that she's the reason you’re getting a divorce?”
"She’s part of the reason,” replied Yvonne.
The old man coldly snorted, "Ridiculous. Even if you are concerned because of her, it is a fact that you are Henry's legitimate wife. You’re afraid of her threatening your position?
Yvonne remained quiet with her head low.
The old man continued, "I’ll get rid of the person who i s the root cause of all this mess then. I will send her away from this country."
"Please don't, Grandpa.” Yvonne hurriedly got up to stop the old man.
The old man scowled, "What, you still want that woman to continue being your rival?" "It’s not that, it's just, I'm worried that if you do that, Henry will blame me for it," said Yvonne as she gave a wry smile.
The same thing happened before. Henry had made her live alone in the house for 3 years on purpose.
3 years ago, when she had been chosen by the old man as a suitable wife for Henry, the old man had forced Henry to wed her. Of course, Henry couldn't fight against his grandpa's wishes, hence he turned to Yvonne to vent his anger. That's how Yvonne had been left to live alone without any signs of concern from him.
"Henry wouldn't do such a thing," said the old man. He couldn’t believe what Yvonne had just said.
To him, his eldest grandson could not have been such an unfair person.
Yvonne sarcastically laughed, "Grandpa, I suppose you really don't understand Henry at all. His actions have made me thoroughly disappointed, and that’s why I'm asking for a divorce. I've had enough already."
"Impossible, how could I not know who Henry is?" the old man glared at her.
Yvonne decided not to reply to the old man.
The old man looked at her and sighed, "Let me ask you one more time Yvonne. Are you sure you want a divorce?"
"Yes," replied the adamant Yvonne.
The old man grabbed the head of his cane tightly and pondered deeply.
He had a clear idea of how much this little girl loved his grandson. As for all the love and effort she had done for him without asking for anything in return, the old man had seen it all.
But now the same little girl was suddenly saying that she was utterly disappointed and wanted a divorce. Unless something happened which he was unaware o f yet, there was no chance he would believe and accept this.
It would seem that Henry must've wronged her deeply.
"How about this? Let me think this through properly. You go back and get some rest first." said the old man as he waved his hands, hinting at Yvonne to leave immediately.
Yvonne was still reluctant to leave the old man, but she didn't dare to disobey his orders. Hence, she could only walk away with a heavy heart.
As she walked to the passageway towards the exit of the Lancaster family residence, she still felt somewhat uneasy. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
She also wasn’t sure if the old man would accept her request to divorce Henry.
"Madam," called Frederick as he approached Yvonne through the stairway on the right.
Yvonne temporarily gathered her thoughts. She smiled and greeted politely, "Frederick."
"Are you about to leave now, madam?” asked Frederick kindly.
Yvonne replied, "I've interrupted Grandpa long enough, so it’s time for me to take my leave."
"Then let me arrange for someone to send you home."
"It's okay Frederick, I can manage on my own, no need to trouble yourself. Goodbye," replied Yvonne kindly. She waved at Frederick and left the residence.
Just as she was about to leave, Frederick called out to her again, but this time in a serious tone, "Worry not madam, Master Lancaster will surely do the right thing and teach Mr. Lancaster a harsh lesson."
Yvonne was taken aback, her eyes opened wide. "You found out about it, Frederick?"