"Today, let me tell you this: a capable person doesnāt need anyone to create opportunities for themātheyāll create wealth and prospects for themselves." Granny Sampton slowly closed her eyes. "And let me tell you something else. My feelings toward Julie Sampson go beyond despising her shamelessness and immorality, or disliking her coldness and selfishness. What I feel most toward her is hate."
When Granny Sampson said the word "hate," it was almost through gritted teeth. "I hate her. I hate her for angering my husband to death. I hate her for being so cold-hearted and unfeeling that your dad didnāt even get an apology or admission of wrongdoing from her before he passed. I hate her for making your dad carry the weight of her nonsense all the way to his grave! Let me ask you, if your dad knows about this in the afterlife, can he rest in peace?"
Faced with Granny Sampsonās question, Father Sampson couldnāt answer. The fact that Old Sir Sampson was driven to his death by Julie Sampsonās actions made not only Julie Sampson unfilial, but him, as a father, unfilial as well.
On this matter, Father Sampson had no room to evade. Everyone in the family and clans knew about it. The only consolation was that Julie Sampson was smart enough to keep this scandal from blowing up on the internet realm.
"You can go now." Exhausted, Granny Sampson waved him off. "If youāre coming to see me just to talk about these matters, then donāt bother coming in the future. If you genuinely care about me as your mom, then come. But if you have some ulterior motive, then donāt come at all."
After speaking, Granny Sampson gently shook her head. "Iām tired. When you leave, close the door behind you. Let everyone downstairs know to head back; having the nanny here is enough. I want a few quiet days to myself."
Father Sampson was reluctant, but seeing the elderly woman, angry and weary, pull the quilt over herself and lie down on the bed, he could only bite his teeth and leave the room.
Once he got downstairs, Father Sampson glanced at the few people sitting on the living room sofa. His gaze lingered on Jane Sampsonās face for a few seconds. Just as he was about to speak, his attention turned to James Black, who held Jane Sampson in his arms. The words he wanted to say were abruptly swallowed, and instead, he called out to Bright Sampton. "I have something to attend to, so Iāll leave first. Youāve got more free timeāspend more of it with your grandma. Stop wasting your days on games and do something worthwhile."
After saying these words, Father Sampson left without passing on Granny Sampsonās earlier message to let everyone downstairs leave and give her a few quiet days to collect herself.
Jane Sampson and Bright Sampton didnāt leave immediately. Jane quietly tiptoed upstairs to check on Granny Sampson. Seeing the room quiet, as if she was already resting, she returned downstairs and sat back on the sofa, letting out a small sigh.
"Grandmaās asleep?" Bright Sampton asked.
"Should be," Jane Sampson replied, nodding.
"Then letās find an empty room and rest for a while." Bright Sampton hadnāt had a good rest in days.
Ever since they learned of Old Sir Sampsonās passing, heād been restless and anxious every day. With flights canceled, he couldnāt return, and every day he stared at the ticket booking software. For these past few days, heād barely closed his eyes for proper sleep.
As soon as Bright Sampton finished speaking, James Black stood up, holding Jane Sampsonās hand. He let out a faint "hmm" in agreement and led her to the room she used whenever she stayed at the Sampson home.
Jane Sampson occasionally stayed here for a few days to keep the two elderly grandparents company, so the room remained hers. When she wasnāt staying, the nanny would clean it daily.
Once inside, Jane let out another sigh. She wrapped her arms around James Blackās waist and leaned into his embrace. "These past few days have felt like a dream, like none of itās real. Grandpa was such a healthy man, and in the blink of an eye, heās become a grave. Grandma said so many, many things to me today by his grave."