Pursuing Her

“Would you care to repeat that? What do you mean by an ambiguous relationship? I agreed to Sophie and Tanny's relationship!” How can she talk about Sophie like that?

“Who do you think you are, Grandpa? Do you think everything will work out with your approval? Does the Lombard family agree? They've been together for so long but have you met with any one of the Lombard family members?”

Anger was rolling though Josiah in waves at Willow's ignorance.

“Are you done talking, Willow?” Sophie said, unable to continue listening to her. “Whatever happens between Tristan and I is our problem. What does it have anything to do with you?”

“Exactly! Your problems with Tristan are your issues, so my engagement with Clayton is our problem. What right do any of you have to intervene in my problems?” They're being such hypocrites!

“Sophie, can you talk to your grandpa? I don't think there's an issue with Willow's engagement with Mr. Zales.” Yale truly thought Willow and Clayton's union was perfect.

“Grandpa, just leave her be and let her do whatever she wants.” Every choice she makes is on her. Regardless of the consequences, she'll have to bear them. After all, Willow is already an adult.

Josiah merely shook his head at Willow's stubbornness.

“All right. Pretend I never said anything today. I only hope you don't regret the choices you made today. Clayton is not a good man.” Since she's unwilling to listen, there's no point trying to persuade her anymore.

“Naturally, everyone I meet is bad. You already branded me as being wrong in your mind, so every move I make is wrong.” Willow let out a bitter laugh before running out of the house.

Charmaine immediately chased after her.

Why did things have to turn out this way? No matter what, the engagement is supposed to be good news.

“See what you've done, Dad! Why do you have to make everyone unhappy?” Yale truly didn't understand what was going on in Josiah's mind.

“Get out! I don't want to see you.” Look at the child he raised.

Yale rubbed his nose.

“Willow is right, Dad. You're too biased.” Yale whirled around and left after that. I need to get some fresh air. Being in this house is suffocating me.

“I—” For a moment, Josiah couldn't catch his breath due to his overwhelming anger.

“Don't be angry, Grandpa. Rest assured. I'll send Clayton to jail before the wedding.” Sophie raced over to calm Josiah down.

Josiah finally relaxed after a while.

After a long silence, Josiah said, “Soph, I'm sorry! They all think I'm biased toward you, but they have no idea about the hardships you have to go through to carry the weight of the entire Tanner Group on your shoulders.”

The person I owe the most to is my favorite granddaughter! Yet none of them understand this.

“You didn't wrong me in any way, Grandpa. I'm the one who wants to manage Tanner Group, so don't overthink things.”

It seems like Clayton is at his wit's end for him to get engaged to Willow. This must be his last-ditch effort.

Josiah merely sighed, unwilling to elaborate on the subject.

“Go on with your work! We can only talk about this matter once Clayton is incarcerated.” Willow won't listen to anyone's opinion at the moment, so it's pointless to say anything further.

“Okay, Grandpa. Go get some rest.”

Sophie helped Josiah to his feet.

Almost immediately, Morgan was there.

After she and Morgan helped Josiah up the stairs to his bedroom, Sophie left the house.

“What should we do now, Ms. Sophie? Ms. Willow has crossed a line!” How can she accuse Old Mr. Tanner of such things?

“It's fine, Morgan. Please take care of Grandpa for these few days.” Clayton is like a ticking time bomb. He must be eradicated at all costs.

“Rest assured, Ms. Sophie. I won't let anyone harm Old Mr. Tanner with me here,” Morgan promised. Even if I have to risk my life, I won't let any harm come to Old Mr. Tanner.

“I'll be leaving then. Call me if anything happens.”

The person she was most concerned about was Josiah. However, Tristan had arranged for two of his men to work in the Tanner residence, so their presence there eased some of her worries.

Before she left, she found the two bodyguards.

“Is there a problem, Ms. Sophie?”

“Don't let anyone take Grandpa out of the house recently, even if they're one of the Tanner family members. Understand?”

She was certain Clayton wouldn't leave things be, so she had to be prepared.

“Yes, Ms. Sophie. Don't worry. Old Mr. Tanner will be fine with us here.” The two bodyguards tapped their chests with clenched fists as an assurance.

“I'm not as worried since you both will be here.” She had practiced with them before and knew their skills were pretty good. “Also, no matter what happens, call me.”

After leaving another set of instructions, Sophie finally left the Tanner residence.

Meanwhile, Charmaine had coaxed Willow to return to the house, and they ran into Sophie on her way out.

Charmaine stopped Sophie when she saw the latter was leaving.

“Soph, your grandpa listens to you. Can you tell him what's done is done, and it's useless even if he objects? I don't want his health to deteriorate from his rage,” Charmaine said.

Sophie found her words hilarious.

“What's done is done? Even a married couple can get divorced, let alone an engaged pair,” Sophie answered.