The Secret Heir Return To Wealth And Love

Hilaria's voice was pitched just right-audible but not intrusive as she spoke to Rosalynn.

Rosalynn couldn't help but snicker, "Granny, are you feeling a bit jealous?"

Hilaria huffed, "Just stating the facts, dear. You didn't see the way your daughter was acting-scared stiff I'd scold her daddy!"ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Rosalynn scooted closer and sat beside Hilaria with a grin. "Is that so? Well then, I guess I'll have to give her a talking-to. Can't have her forgetting about Granny's kindness just because Dad's around. I'll ground her no dessert for her tonight!"

Hilaria's eyes went wide. "You wouldn't dare!"

Rosalynn collapsed into giggles, leaning against Hilaria.d2

With a resigned look and a mock stern face, Hilaria tapped Rosalynn's arm gently.

"Granny, I really was going to scold her, but you're too soft-hearted!" Rosalynn teased.

"You just know how to pull my strings," Hilaria shook her head, then took Rosalynn's hand, gently stroking the back of it. She looked up at Wayne. "I don't need to compete for affection with you youngsters. Whatever happened in the past, I just hope you'll all find happiness and harmony from here on out."

Wayne nodded earnestly. "Granny, you have nothing to worry about."

But Hilaria had a world of worries. Still, this was the path her beloved granddaughter had chosen, and her worries couldn't change that.

"Alright, I'll go freshen up. You two should go check on dinner, see when it'll be ready," Hilaria said, standing up abruptly. Her gaze instinctively drifted toward the large bay window in the living room.

Little Trista was learning to walk, often scampering about. When Wayne had refurbished the place, he hadn't considered a toddler's needs, so it wasn't exactly baby-proof.

So Hilaria had it sorted out, cordoning off a large area and transforming it into a little fairy-tale world.

Now Ivy and Trista were there, carefree as could be, their laughter ringing with joy.

Hilaria watched, her heart swelling with contentment.

In recent years, she'd come to feel that her life was indeed worthwhile.

In her youth, she'd been fiercely competitive, driven to place the Jared Group on an unattainable peak. After a failed marriage and a wayward son, she stood alone at the summit, lost in a fog of uncertainty.

For a long time, she didn't know what she was fighting for. She had status, money beyond spending. Yet, there was always an emptiness inside her.

When she realized she had wrongfully accused Adeline Gorman, that feeling peaked.

That's when the desire to step back took root. It was then that she found her granddaughter.

Then she understood what all her striving was for. What else could it be for, if not for this scene before her?

She was like a towering mountain,

shielding her little ones from

the

Pans, allowing them to l y without a care. Conaught

With loving eyes, Hilaria turned and retreated to her room.

Once Hilaria left, Wayne immediately took a seat next to Rosalynn.

"Granny didn't lay into you too much, did she?" Rosalynn asked.