Chapter 456: Break Her Legs

Chapter 456: Chapter 456: Break Her Legs

"Thank goodness you had the foresight to take out the acceptance letter early," Grandma added with a sigh. "Otherwise, if she’d really torn it up, we would’ve been in real trouble."

The more Grandma looked at Vera, the more pleased she was. This granddaughter of hers was young and kind-hearted, yet her mind was remarkably sharp. She handled things with even more savvy than Grandma herself.

Vera chuckled. "Exactly. If she’d stayed here, she would have just caused more trouble sooner or later. I’m an adult now, and I have to protect Grandpa, Grandma, and Dad. Of course I couldn’t let her stay with the Preston family any longer!"

Grandma’s heart warmed, but she said, "Just take good care of yourself. We don’t need you to protect us!"

Vera giggled, and Grandma continued, "You got into Veridia University today, and you drove Cara Preston away. We have to celebrate this properly! I bought a lot of your favorite foods. Come help me cook!"

Vera immediately nodded in agreement.

Just then, Grandpa returned, pushing Zachary Preston in his wheelchair. On their way back, someone had already told them what had happened.

"Where’s Cara Preston?" he boomed the moment he entered, looking for a stick. "Is she gone? I’m going to break her legs!"

Grandma chuckled lightly. "Alright now, still such a hothead at your age. You’re not even as level-headed as Vera. Cara Preston is long gone!"

Grandpa was a scholarly man with a normally gentle and refined temperament. He hadn’t learned more than a few curses in all his decades. Now, furious, all he could do was repeat insults like "ungrateful wretch," "scum," and "little brat."

Seeing his sullen expression, Grandma closed the door and had Vera take out the acceptance letter. After a quick explanation, Grandpa finally relaxed, letting out a huge sigh of relief and repeating, "Thank goodness, thank goodness."

Although Zachary Preston hadn’t uttered a single curse, his expression was just as grim. When he saw the undamaged acceptance letter, he let out a quiet sigh of relief. His gaze on Vera deepened.

"Vera getting into Veridia University is wonderful news," he said softly. "We have to celebrate properly. And what’s a celebration without bamboo rats?"

Grandma slapped her thigh. "You’re right! I’ll head back to the countryside this afternoon to catch some!"

Zachary added, "The vegetables in the garden should be ready by now, too. And homegrown always tastes better than store-bought."

"Grandma, I’ll go with you to pick them," Vera immediately offered.

"You’re the prize scholar of the family now," Zachary said with a smile. "And you haven’t done farm work in ages, so you’re probably out of practice. It’s better to let your grandpa and grandma go."

Grandma chimed in, "That’s right. Vera’s the hero of the day, so you should just stay home and rest. Your grandpa and I can handle the work in the fields. Just come pick us up at the station this afternoon."

Grinning from ear to ear, Grandpa said, "Our ancestors produced a top imperial scholar, and now we have another one! A top scholar should act the part—no more manual labor for you."

Vera was speechless.

The family enjoyed a happy, harmonious lunch, and afterward, Grandpa and Grandma headed back to the countryside.

As soon as they left, Vera sat obediently by Zachary’s bedside. "Dad," she said, "did you send Grandpa and Grandma away so you could talk to me alone?"

Zachary knew she had always been sharp, so he wasn’t surprised she’d figured it out. He looked at Vera, his gaze gentle, and let out a soft sigh. "If only you were truly my daughter."