If Nanny Rosaline hadn't known her, she would have been shocked, but she had been with Old Madam Wright even before Valerie was born, so she knew her too well. "I thought she should know so she wouldn't let that boy, Harry, walk all over her again."
Old Madam Wright nodded fervently from behind and gave Nanny Rosaline a thumbs up.
Valerie was sitting on the floor, so she couldn't see what her grandma was busy doing. "You, Rossa, stop talking nonsense! Does our Val look like one who could be bullied by just anyone? So what if they are the Smith family, my granddaughter is only fit for that excellent grandson from the Humphrey family!" The woman puffed her cheeks, feeling dignified.
Nanny Rosaline wanted to laugh but couldn't. Valerie sighed with resignation, "Grandma, the Humphrey family again?" Her grandma had always wanted her to marry one of her friend's grandsons, and this had caused them a lot of problems in the past. It seems she's still pushing this union.
"The Humphreys are one of the most powerful families in the country, just below the Sinclairs." The old woman said, as if the status would make Valerie change her mind. She sighed. Ruby had already chosen a father for herself; otherwise, she would have considered it.
"I'm sorry, grandma, I already have a man... In fact, I'm here to get the register for our marriage registration."
Hearing that, the two women gasped, and Grandma almost had a heart attack. How could this be? How could her friend's grandson be so unlucky?! She was upset.
That young man, she had only seen him once, he was the most outstanding young man she had ever seen... totally befitting of her granddaughter!
"Moreover, he should be married by now. If I'm not mistaken, you've been pushing our marriage since I was eighteen."
The old woman pouted. Valerie was right. He should be married by now. Because, the last time she spoke with her friend about it, that unreliable woman had told her that her grandson needed to get married as soon as possible, but because Valerie wasn't ready, she chose another lady from a respectable home.
Old Madam Wright gritted her teeth. If she called her friend to confirm it, and she dared to affirm that her grandson was already married, she was going to tell her off!
"On the brighter side, Miss Valerie is not marrying into the Smith family, so it's all good, no?" Nanny Rosaline spoke up when the atmosphere had turned gloomy.
The old woman's eyes lit up, "Right. I'd approve of anyone but that Smith simpleton!"
Valerie chuckled. She had no idea why her grandmother hated the Smith family so, but whatever it was, her grandmother was right to hate them.
"Ehm... Little Val, that man you want to marry, is he a good person?" the old woman suddenly asked, her voice low. Although she said she would approve of anyone but Harry, she still preferred her friend's grandson.
The image of his aloofness and confidence when he spoke to those old men, nine years ago, was etched in her mind. At that time, Valerie was 18. That was the first and last time she saw that boy... he was in his early twenties. Her friend, Old Madam Humphrey, had praised her grandson so much that, had Old Madam Wright not had a grandchild of her own, she would have fought with her son and daughter-in-law.
Valerie thought of how good Greg was with Ruby and gently nodded, "Mm, he's a good man."
"That was how you vouched for that boy from the Smith family the other day, hmph!" the old woman humphed and rolled her eyes.
Valerie sighed and got up from the floor after eating the last piece of biscuit and drinking the juice. "Grandma, you don't have to worry. I can assure you that he's a good person. However, if he turns out to be a deceiver, I'll personally kick him out. Be rest assured."
The old woman saw how determined Valerie was and nodded fervently. "That's more like it. You should bring him over when next you're coming."
Valerie smiled, "Thank you, grandma."
She held Valerie's hand in hers and gently patted it, her tone turned a bit serious as she said, "Child, a lot has happened. I know that you won't let things be. But please, don't hurt yourself in the process of bringing your enemies down. I want you to be happy."
She paused, "Your mother sacrificed a lot for the Wright family. Having a strong backing will help you a lot in this society, where power is the most important." She paused again but this time, she sighed sorrowfully. "Your father doesn't hate you. He's just confused right now. Please, be lenient with him, okay?"
Valerie sat beside her grandmother on the sofa, staring at her without knowing what to say. She understood where her grandmother was coming from. As a mother herself, she wouldn't want Ruby to be hurt or bothered by anything.
The same could be said for her grandmother, who loved her son, probably more than she loved Valerie, and hoped the father and daughter could work things out. Also, her grandmother didn't want her to destroy the Wright family; she only wanted her to take out Zoey and her mother.
Valerie nodded, "I understand, Grandma. I just hope that my dad won't get in the way."
The old woman smiled faintly, "I'll make sure he doesn't." Turning to Nanny Rosaline, she requested, "Get the family register." After Nanny Rosaline left, Valerie asked, "Why did you take the register from my dad?"
The woman scoffed as annoyance washed over her. "He had the nerve to want to put that bastard's name on the family's register. Little Val, I think I've been too lax with Alexander!"
"Hahah… Grandma, don't be so upset. You'll get old pretty quickly if you do," Valarie laughed.
Soon, Nanny Rosaline returned with the register and handed it to Valerie. After promising she would come again, she left.
Once they were sure Valerie was gone, Nanny Rosaline couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you ask about her daughter?"
"Right?!" But on second thought, the old woman sighed, "How could I when she didn't talk about her child? You don't want her knowing that I've kept an eye on her all these years, do you?"
Nanny Rosaline sighed.
Six years ago, Old Madam Wright had rescued Valerie after she was shot and fell into the water. Before Valerie gained consciousness, she sent her overseas and paid people to look after her.
Old Madam Wright had assisted Valerie in building her empire in North Xoria from the shadows. All because she wanted Valerie to grow strong on her own. How would Valerie feel if she knew she had actually been living her life the way her grandmother had wanted?