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"But Mom! We don’t even know anything about her or her family. Then how can you take a decision like this?"
Mabel Hawk, lying back against her pillow with a huff, glared at her daughter and then at the others in the room. Ostensibly, her filial children had come to visit her and welcome her home from the hospital. But here they were, trailing behind her into the room to complain and whine. She directed a particularly sharp glare at Charles and Miranda-her own flesh and blood, who were standing at the foot of the bed, clearly avoiding her gaze.
If only she’d taken a stick to them when they were children, maybe they’d have had some sense.
For now, all Miranda could do was be her husband’s puppet, nodding in agreement with whatever he suggested without using her own brain. She watched as even now she shifted uncomfortably, her eyes darting around the room, unable to meet her own mother’s stare. Why did she turn out like this when all her life she’d tried to teach her children to be strong?
And then she glared at Charles, who, despite having a brain, used the wrong head. All he could think about was the next woman he might want. What a use of space he was. At least for this, she could blame her husband’s family. They all had been a rather useless lot when it came to men using their brains. Thankfully, her Aiden was not like that and took after her and her side of the family.
Sensing her gaze, Charles seemed to have found his words and he said, "Mom, in this matter, Miranda is inarguably right. Yes, Serena is Aiden’s wife. But other than that we know nothing about her family or even educational background. And you have no idea how violently she behaved with Millie at the hospital. Also, she has no regard to people older than her. No respect. Just this morning, she was calling us all dogs..."
Mabel snorted and pointed a finger at Charle," And would Serena have to get violent if your wife had not attacked Aiden. Be thankful that I was not there at the moment for I would have ordered the guards to break Millie’s hands for touching my grandchildren! No one, specially not your wife has the right to reprimand MY grandchildren, be it Aiden, Ella or Nathan!"
"As for calling you dogs, I am sure you must have been behaving like them and that is why she called you that! What an insult! To the dogs!"
Everyone in the room: ".."
Millie opened her mouth to protest this but Mabel Hawk simply glared pointedly at her wrist and the woman quickly hid behind Charles. Millie knew her mother in law well enough that the woman could actually make true on her threats.
But when it came to money, both Charles and Miranda, despite not being of much use to the business, knew how to protect what they believed to be theirs. "But mother, this is a huge mistake. You can’t seriously be considering bringing Serena into the fold. This is a huge mistake. She’s practically a stranger, and we don’t know her background or intentions. It’s like you’re letting someone undermine your position, and you don’t even see it."
"If Aiden wants her to understand the business, why can’t he keep her with him? Why is he sending her to work under you and understand the businesses that are still under your control. It is because he wants to keep an eye on you. Why don’t you see that? He has already established control over the smaller subsidiaries and now he wants to go after the parent company! It’s like you’re letting him undermine your position, and you don’t even see it because of your blind love for him."
Mabel Hawk laughed at that and shook her head," You must be the first father to spout such nonsense against his own son!"
"Mom! Charles is only showing his concern! Serena could potentially jeopardize everything you’ve built. We’re concerned that you’re not thinking this through. It is not about saying anything against Aiden! We know he is quite capable! But you are not giving your other grandchildren a chance."
Mabel’s eyes flashed with irritation. "I appreciate your concern, but your opinions on this matter are irrelevant. I don’t need you to tell me what’s best for me and my grandchildren. I am perfectly capable of judging what I should and shouldn’t do for them."
Finally, her son in law decided to speak,’But, Mom, we just want what’s best for you. We’re worried that—"
"Enough!" Mabel’s voice was sharp, cutting through his words and warning anyone who might think to argue with her again! Two days! She was hospitalized for two days and they all thought that they could argue with her as if she had gone senile! "I don’t need to be second-guessed by my own children. If I decide to bring Serena into my employ, it is my decision and mine alone. If you can’t offer any support, then keep your opinions to yourselves."
She turned her gaze to each of them in turn, her expression leaving no room for further discussion. "I am tired and would like to rest. Please, if you have nothing further to contribute, I’d appreciate it if you would all leave me to my peace. Remember that you came to visit me because I was in the hospital! So unless all of you planned to actually have me sent back to the hospital by sending my blood pressure soaring, go!"
As they shuffled out of the room, the door closed behind them with a soft click and the threatening expression on her face eased. Whatever Aiden’a reason for proposing Serena work with her was, she was just happy that her grandson was happy. And, today had shown her one more thing. Just writing a will was not going to be enough. If she wanted Aiden and Serena to live in peace when she passed away, she would have to do something iron clad. Like leave everything to her great grandchildren...
Her eyes lit up. It seems she would have to take up Vera’s suggestion and manipulate them into having children soon...But now that their honeymoon had been interruped... hmm. She might have to think of something else soon.