In the study, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was hard to breathe.
Carlos stood in front of the desk, fists unconsciously clenched, eyes filled with anger.
"I don’t agree!" His voice was firm and resonant, echoing in the study.
Evan Palmer sat in the chair behind the desk, a hint of impatience on his face.
He flicked the ash from his cigarette carelessly and indifferently, as if he didn’t care at all about Carlos’ objection.
"Your mother and I have already made a decision. Sending your grandfather abroad to join your grandmother for convalescence is good for both of them."
His tone left no room for doubt, like he was announcing an established fact.
After dinner, Evan Palmer had called Carlos into the study, calmly stating his decision to send Old Master Carter abroad for recuperation.
Lately, Old Master Carter had been fussing about leaving Love & Kindness Hospital, which made Evan think it was a good opportunity to send the old man abroad.
"Your mother also agrees with me. The medical standards at foreign nursing homes are higher, there’s dedicated care, plus the elderly couple can reunite, it’s a win-win situation."
Evan Palmer’s excuses sounded dignified, each reason seemed reasonable.
Mrs. Carter thought of her parents being separated for years, meeting rarely, and felt a pang of sadness in her heart. She considered her husband’s proposal perhaps a genuine opportunity for her parents to enjoy their old age, and so she nodded in agreement.
"Grandpa is so old, he isn’t fit for long journeys."
Carlos frowned, speaking anxiously, eyes filled with worry,
"Besides, domestic medical conditions nowadays are no less than those abroad. Grandpa is different from Grandma, he likes staying here, where everything is familiar to him, where his old friends are, where he’s lived all his life."
Ever since he was young, Carlos had grown up with his grandfather, who cared for him deeply; the bond between the grandfather and grandson was profound. Follow current novels on Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
But he didn’t particularly like his grandmother; in his memory, she was always aloof, starkly different from the warmth of his grandfather.
He really couldn’t imagine sending his grandfather abroad, away from familiar soil, how unaccustomed he would be, maybe even falling ill because of it.
"Carlos, don’t get it wrong, this family is not something you can decide for."
Evan Palmer’s expression darkened, his voice suddenly rising, a glint of annoyance flashing in his eyes, he viciously ground the cigarette in his hand into the ashtray.
In his view, as the head of the household, his decisions should be carried out unconditionally.
"It’s not your place to decide either, don’t forget, your surname is Palmer, not Carter."
Carlos fearlessly met Evan Palmer’s gaze, with his chin up, his tone filled with stubbornness and defiance.
These words were like a sharp dagger, piercing directly into Evan Palmer’s sore spot.
Evan Palmer’s face instantly turned livid, veins bulging on his forehead.
Just like Carlos, Old Master Carter looked down on him, thought of him as an add-on!
All these years, he’d worked diligently in the Carter Family, striving hard, pouring countless efforts into this family, but in their eyes, he was always an outsider.
Evan Palmer’s eyes bulged with rage, staring fiercely at Carlos.
He silently swore, one day, the Carter Family would be his, and by then, those who looked down on him would all have to bow down to him.
"Dad! Don’t fight anymore."
Just as the atmosphere was tense and about to explode, Maria Carter’s urgent voice came from the doorway.
She abruptly pushed open the door to the study, hurrying in, her expression anxious and helpless.
Emily Parker followed behind her, a few traces of worry etched on her face. The fierce argument between father and son just now, they had heard it clearly from outside.
"There’s no need to send Old Master Carter abroad." Emily Parker slightly frowned, her eyes full of sincerity, speaking softly.
In her impression, Old Master Carter was a real old rascal, he especially loved Chinese food, needed to chat with the elderly every day, living leisurely and content.
If the old master was really sent to a foreign land, where everything was unfamiliar, with language barriers and different customs, it would definitely stifle the old man.
Thinking of this scene made Emily Parker unable to help but feel sorry for the old master.
Upon hearing Emily Parker’s words, Evan Palmer’s already dark face became even more unsightly.
He turned his head sharply, glaring viciously at Emily Parker, his eyes full of disdain and anger.
"Who do you think you are?"
His voice was sharp and grating, with undisguised contempt,
"You don’t have the right to speak here."
He took a step forward, imposing and aggressive, as if he wanted to swallow Emily Parker whole.
In his eyes, Emily Parker was an insignificant outsider, daring to intervene in matters of the Carter Family while he was handling them.