Some stories are so ridiculous that they often make others wonder if they could actually happen. But there are some that make one say, "Did this really happen?"
This was one of them.
Listening to Old Mrs. Pierson talk about Zoren’s mother left Slater speechless. All this time, Slater, and perhaps many others, believed that Zoren’s mother simply abandoned him. Who knew? She probably eloped with another man, leaving her son and husband behind.
But this was something that Slater, or perhaps everyone, wouldn’t expect. After all, who would think that a mother, who would naturally and instinctively love and care for her child, would be the one to try to take the little life she carried for months and brought into this world out of jealousy?
No wonder Old Mrs. Pierson and Zoren wouldn’t talk about her.
After trying to kill Zoren so brutally, she would try to hide her crime by setting her own home on fire.
"Fortunately, Zoren’s father came home early that day and was able to save Renren," Old Mrs. Pierson sighed in relief. "And thankfully, Renren was blessed to have survived all of that at the hands of a monster—who was apparently his own mother."
Bitterness spread in Old Mrs. Pierson’s eyes, but relief mixed with it.
"Grandma, would it be rude to ask what happened after she set the house on fire?" Slater blurted out, pressing his lips together when realization dawned on him. Fortunately, Old Mrs. Pierson simply laughed it off.
"The authorities were involved, and she was sentenced to life in prison," she explained. "However, months after she was locked up, I heard she hung herself with a sheet. She would rather die than stay in prison, where she couldn’t be with my son."
"She’s intense, huh?" Slater blurted out again, and luckily, Old Mrs. Pierson’s only response to his side comment was a shallow laugh. "I can’t believe this."
"Even I couldn’t believe it at first, but it happened." Old Mrs. Pierson sighed heavily, staring at the photo of her son. "Renren was young back then, but he still remembered most of it. The one who was truly heartbroken was him, though."
At the end of the day, Zoren’s father blamed himself for entrusting his son to someone he thought would take care of and love him with all her heart. He almost lost his son for it, and at the same time, lost his wife.
Slater pressed his lips together and held Old Mrs. Pierson’s hand. "Grandma, don’t worry. My brother-in-law is safe with us."
"I will look after him as his big brother!" Slater declared, making Old Mrs. Pierson laugh even more. "Grandma, I’m serious!"
"Haha. Yes, yes, I know you will look after your younger brother-in-law." Old Mrs. Pierson chuckled, ruffling Slater’s hair lightly. "And that is why I now feel a lot of peace. After all that my grandson has gone through from the beginning until now, I’m glad he finally has people who truly care for him and love him."
Slater’s slight frown turned into a smile. Meanwhile, Old Mrs. Pierson stared at this charming and lovable young man.
"Don’t tell Renren that I told you, okay?" she remarked. "He gets grumpy when someone mentions his mother."
"Hehe. Don’t worry, Grandma. I’m the most trustworthy when it comes to secrets. I’ll let this be our little secret."
"Good boy." Old Mrs. Pierson nodded in satisfaction. "Now, where were we?"
"This one!" Slater pointed at another person in the photo. "Who is this?"
"Ahh... that’s my nephew..."
And just like that, the two of them continued to look through the family album, with Old Mrs. Pierson happily telling Slater who they were.
"Oh, wow..." Slater exclaimed in awe at the next photo. "This is Butler Hubert?!"
At that moment, Butler Hubert returned with some fresh fruit for the two to enjoy. As soon as he came in, he almost flinched when Slater called him.
"Butler Hubert, is this you?!"
Curious, Butler Hubert stretched his neck and peeked at the photo album. "Yes, Third Young Master. That is me."
"Wow..." Slater marveled, darting his eyes between the photo and the old man in front of him. "What happened?!"
"Third Young Master?"
"Hahaha!" Old Mrs. Pierson couldn’t help but burst out laughing while Butler Hubert frowned at Slater. The latter, on the other hand, sported an apologetic look.
The man in the photo was so handsome he looked like he could pass as a celebrity. However, his older version didn’t look at all! Although the eyes remained the same, Slater was a little disappointed by how age changed people’s appearances.
That was how peaceful the Old Residence was, despite the board meeting, which usually worried Old Mrs. Pierson. This tranquility was all thanks to Slater, who had been the apple of everyone’s eye in the residence.
Nina sat down in the coffee shop and organized her papers on the table. She swiftly stacked folders in order, ensuring she wouldn’t be interrupted once she presented them to her client. Once she was done, a satisfied smile turned up on her face.
"This is going to be okay," she whispered to herself, nodding. "I’m going to close this deal and make it my biggest break yet."
After all, this project was significant, and if she could get the client to sign with them, Nina would have something substantial under her name. She had never considered the other projects, like the Prime Group office and Mama, a big break because, in her mind, they hired her because she was family.
In other words, this was her biggest project that wasn’t connected to any of her family members.
Suddenly, Nina heard a man’s voice as a figure stopped beside her table. She looked up and then instinctively stood, a little surprised that her client was younger than she expected.
"Yes, that’s me," she said, offering him a smile as she watched him extend a hand to her.
Nina nodded and clasped his hand, shaking it. "I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Russel."
"The feeling is mutual, Nina... Reed." Jonathan’s eyes squinted a little as he smiled in satisfaction. "I’m very pleased... to meet you."