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.

aimed for government jobs, but it was one thing to

knew his daughters-in-law resented

they forgiven

struck, the wives washed

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

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

sons received long sentences-ten years, maybe more

no intention of dying anytime soon. He wanted to live another twenty, maybe even thirty years. He needed to think

calming down, he realized the only person he could turn

one. Even a small amount of money from her would

him

wouldn't give him

would only provide a few thousand dollars a month, just enough for basic expenses. If she gave him a lump sum, it would be

she was feeling generous, she'd give