Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

Pedro walked up to Holden, his face cold and stern. Holden, startled by his intensity, instinctively stopped cursing. But he quickly masked his fear, straightened up, and glared at Pedro. "What do you want?"

Pedro's voice was icy. "Mr. Janzen, your sons are in prison. Your grandsons are still minors. Your daughters-in-law don't care about you. Who do you think will take care of you in the future? Your eldest daughter recently asked me to send you a pension."

Holden's expression darkened. "You think you can use money to threaten me? I— I'm not afraid! I have plenty of money! I'm not worried about how I'll live!"

But his voice lacked its earlier arrogance. He was clearly shaken.

“Mr. Janzen, I suggest you go home and accept reality. If you push your daughter too far, your sons' sentences could become even harsher."

Holden opened his mouth to argue but stopped. Deep down, he knew Pedro was right-his sons were in a terrible position.

As for his daughters-in-law, the eldest had already divorced. The other two had stayed silent and moved on quickly. At first, they entertained his requests for help. But soon, they stopped answering his calls altogether.

They even blamed his sons for their reckless actions, for not thinking about their children, for ruining their futures. Now, the grandchildren would never be able to take civil service exams because of their fathers' criminal records.

that their family ever aimed for government jobs, but it was one thing to choose

daughters-in-law resented

they forgiven them

moment trouble struck, the wives washed their hands of it. None of them

were too young to help. Though they had inherited property from their grandmother, they couldn't access it. Their mothers controlled it now. They

he had no one to rely on. His daughters-in-law and grandchildren were out

sons received long sentences-ten years, maybe more his own pension wouldn't

anytime soon. He wanted to live another twenty, maybe even thirty years.

person he could turn to was Kathryn- the daughter he

was the richest one. Even a small amount of money from her

him to

wouldn't give

enough for basic expenses. If she gave him a lump sum, it

she was feeling generous, she'd